Absentee voters and veterans came together successfully yesterday. Ernie Pasion of the County Clerk’s office was manning the parking lot fronting the historic County Building, aided by large signs, traffic cones, and an occasional visit from Peter Nakamura, the county
Absentee voters and veterans came together successfully yesterday.
Ernie Pasion of the County Clerk’s office was manning the parking lot fronting the historic County Building, aided by large signs, traffic cones, and an occasional visit from Peter Nakamura, the county clerk.
His task was to keep the area clear for voters taking advantage of the final day of absentee voting.
“We have to keep the area clear to allow voters to be able to exercise their right,” Pasion said. “Parade, or no parade, they need to have parking to vote.”
Across the street, the budding excitement of the annual Veterans Day parade kept building as participants overflowed the parking area into the Big Save parking area.
Ed Kawamura of the Kaua‘i Veterans Council was one of the head honchos for this annual event that moved from Kapa‘a to Lihu‘e.
For Kawamura, that move was a little disappointing as participation from the community fell short.
“We invited the Lihu‘e Business Association to come to the meeting, but no one came,” Kawamura said. “I was going to get up early this morning to put up American flags along the street, but that was a big job.”
Other participants agreed, noting one business was upset the parade would shut the street down for a couple of hours.
“In Kapa‘a, there would be a lot of people on the streets and businesses along the parade route would have flags flying outside their shops,” Kawamura said. “It was really nice.”
You may be able to take the parade out of Kapa‘a, but you can’t take Kapa‘a out of the parade as the Warriors, despite a 42-0 drubbing at the hands of the Red Raiders Friday night, turned out in full force to support and pay tribute to the Armed Forces.
Brittney Carvalho, the Warriors’ homecoming queen, had her entourage riding convertibles following the Warrior band that eventually went on to earn top honors in the “Best Marching Band” judging led by state Adjutant General Robert Lee.
Additionally, the Kapa‘a Junior ROTC unit turned out in full numbers as did the Waimea Junior ROTC.
Following the Kapa‘a band, Kaua‘i High School’s band, that also played at the homecoming game Friday night, tied with Waimea High School in the Marching Band category.
A colorfully decorated truck hosting an assortment of keiki royalty earned top honors in the Best Float competition. American Legion Post 2 was runner-up.
KeKula Aupuni O Ni‘ihau topped the Best Walking Unit followed by the 442 Regimental Combat Team Colors.
The 154th Aircraft Control Squadron topped the Best Marching Unit while the color guard with the Pacific Missile Range Facility took runner up honors.
Harvey Maeda’s ‘57 Chevy Corvette and ‘55 Chevy Bel Air topped the Classic Cars judging.
Kawamura said in addition to the parade, the public is invited to take part in the annual Veterans Day Service which will start at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Hanapepe Veterans Cemetery.
