LIHUE — Danny and Sarah Broughton had a perfect view. As the King Kamehameha floral parade prepared to start Saturday, there was no place the two would rather be than atop their rig. “This is fabulous,” said Danny of Dallas, Texas, who
LIHUE — Danny and Sarah Broughton had a perfect view.
As the King Kamehameha floral parade prepared to start Saturday, there was no place the two would rather be than atop their rig.
“This is fabulous,” said Danny of Dallas, Texas, who got a preferred view of the proceedings from the moon roof on their Jeep. “We don’t have parades like this on the Mainland. We have parades with horses, but nothing like this.”
Hosted by the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission and the County of Kauai, hundreds of people lined Rice Street to watch the parade that featured Thomas Keolaikepapaplua Lindsey Jr. portraying King Kamehameha, and the entourage of pau queen, princesses and marshals.
Kamehameha the Great was born between 1748 and 1761 in North Kohala on the Big Island. Despite not having an exact date of birth, a Royal Proclamation in 1871 by King Kamehameha V honored his grandfather on June 11 as Hawaii’s greatest statesman, warrior and king.
And Kauai celebrated in grand fashion.
David and Alene Pittman, who consider themselves part-time residents of South Carolina and Kekaha, said they were enjoying the shade along Rice Street waiting to watch their daughter, Sarah Grossmann, and her daughter Alexis, participate with Halau Hula O Halileo.
“We just don’t have anything like this on the Mainland,” Alene said. “This is great. The weather is fine.”
Along the parade route, spectators poured out of Dani’s restaurant following breakfast right before the parade. Up the road, the Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital bus was parked in front of the Garden Island Barbecue and Chinese Restaurant, offering residents and staff shade from the rapidly warming morning sun.
Ambrose Smith, 93, of Kekaha, served as the grand marshal. His family parked on Hoolako Street to watch him. Smith, who learned to play music at 8 years old, continues to play music, appearing each Thursday as part of “The Kamaainas” at the Waimea Kalapaki Joe’s. He described it as “happy therapy” for himself and those around him.
Lelan Nishek, founder of Kauai Nursery and Landscaping, has served many years as a parade marshal for the Kamehameha Day parade, and the Koloa Plantation Days parade. He has participated in numerous rodeo events, but never as a pau marshal — until Saturday when he was designated the pau marshal of the floral parade.
Eleanor “Lady” Keakawailani Tai Hook, from a fourth generation family of fishermen and taro farmers, donned the regalia of pau queen. She was back after a break from pau riding.
Following a childhood of riding horses on a daily basis, Jenna Soares, self-described as a cowgirl at heart, represented the island of Kauai while continuing to live her lifestyle of being around horses and perpetuating the Hawaiian paniolo.
Tracy Ann Hiipoilani Kanahele-Vakameilau, an employee with Wrangler’s in Waimea for 10 years, loves to sing and is a master of Niihau shell lei. She waved to the crowd playing the role of representing Niihau as its pau princess.
Jennalin Kamalulani Spencer wore the colors of Hawaii Island as its pau princess. Kari Villabrille was adorned with Maui flowers as the pau princess for Maui. Anela Wong of Wailua donned the green of Molokai. Naniuilani Kaohelaulii received birthday wishes from the audience along Rice Street, clad in her adornments of kaunaoa and orange as the princess of Lanai.
Terry Purdy, normally the manager of Lee’s Fine Furniture on Rice Street, wore the colors of Kahoolawe and was escorted by Lorna Ouderkirk, a longtime rider and participant of countless parades.
Lori Wong, employed at the Mahelona Hospital Emergency Department, represented the island of Oahu, giving thanks to a large number of sponsors and people who “took the time to lend a hand and help support the unit.”
Melissa Sugai, serving as the interim Kauai commissioner for the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission, headed up the committee that spearheaded this year’s celebration which culminated with a hoolaulea at the Historic County Building featuring a variety of crafters and food vendors with a host of local entertainment.
But people showed up early as the parade kick started the day’s celebration. Everyone wanted to be early to see the procession start.
That includes Seth and Kamalei Rapozo, who were able to watch their father ride in the floral parade.
They caught quite a view of their dad before they had to head out to play a football game.
“My dad is riding with some girls in the parade,” Seth said as the parade started. “We get to watch him because our game doesn’t start until noon.”
