LIHU‘E — Hosted and coordinated by the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission, Kaua‘i did its part in celebrating the legacy of King Kamehameha I by Royal Proclamation since Dec. 22, 1871.
Kamehameha’s efforts at uniting the islands of Hawai‘i was celebrated with a parade and celebration on Saturday at the lawn of the historic County Building where the major government officials were in Washington D.C attending meetings and participating in Hawai‘i on the Hill.
Several thousand people engaged with the King’s Parade and the ho‘olaule‘a that created the traffic closure of Rice Street for several hours, with large crowds taking advantage of the ho‘olaule‘a offering of craft vendors, entertainment and food trucks.
Parade Grand Marshall retired judge Bill Fernandez helped to anchor the parade before adjourning to book sign for any of the 10 published workers he penned.
The Royal Court, including King Kawika Cutcher, and Parade Queen Yolanda Cutcher set up alongside the Kaua‘i Museum makai side to enable the parade participants an opportunity to offer ho‘okupu and honor to the ali‘i.
The Pa‘u units and princesses represented each of the main Hawaiian islands and was one of the major attractions of the King’s Parade, as spectators turned out to see the Pa‘u Princess, the Pa‘u unit and the horse lei.
Shantell Shimogawa represented Hawai‘i Island and Breeze Pavao wore the pink representing Maui.
Her unit was followed by a special motor unit containing her kumu hula Leina‘ala Pavao Jardin, several performers of Hula Halau Ka Lei Mokihana O Leina‘ala, and the 2023 Miss Keiki Hula winner, Kahena Lindsey, who rode in a 1964 Chevy Impala that rushed off after the parade to join the Father’s Day celebration taking place at Kukui Grove Center.
“This is the first time we’re doing this,” said Kumu Leina‘ala. “It’s a lot of fun.”
Kaho‘olawe was represented by Che’lane Weaver, who is also connected with the Miss Kaua‘i Filipina Scholarship Pageant, which will take place on Saturday evening at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall.
That connection drew the Kaua‘i Filipino Community Council into the parade for a cultural connection that introduced the 2023 Miss Kaua‘i Filipina, Virgina Perreira and the field of hopefuls for the upcoming pageant.
Kailee Kelekoma wore the regal purple of Kaua‘i and Tiffany Mahelona achieved her bucket list of being a Pa‘u Princess for one of the islands. Tiffany pulled her entire ‘ohana together to achieve the feat.
