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Hawaiian Air,
tour firm keep
Kamehameha
festivities alive

The colorful annual parade
will take place Saturday

By Rosemarie Bernardo
Star-Bulletin

Businesses continue to support an 84-year-old parade and festivities in honor of King Kamehameha the Great.

Hawaiian Airlines and Grueninger Tours have been the main contributors since the state eliminated funding in 1996 due to budget cuts. Hawaiian Air contributed $75,000 for this year's event and Grueninger Tours, $25,000.

"Bridging the World with Aloha" is this year's theme for the annual parade Saturday. Keahi Allen, program specialist of the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission, said this represents Hawaii's unique blend of multiethnic and cultural diversity.

Hawaiian Air reduced its contribution, which in past years had been $100,000. "It became necessary to adjust the budget in light of other marketing priorities," said Keoni Wagner, senior director of corporate communications at Hawaiian Airlines.

Advertising and costume replacements for the pa'u riders were reduced. "We're relying on public service announcements," said Allen. Some of the costumes are over 20 years old, she said.

Contributions from Hawaiian Air mainly go to programs for the celebration. A portion of the funds provide salaries for Allen and Lucille Kalauokaaea-Kahele, part-time employee at the commission.

Hawaiian Air's $75,000 contract with the commission will end this year. But Wagner is confident the airline will keep the tradition alive. "It's safe to say that Hawaiian (Airlines) will continue to support the celebration," said Wagner.

Negotiations with the commission will take place soon after this year's event, he said. "We have a good relationship with Hawaiian Airlines," said Allen. "We would like to continue with them."

In 1997, a couple from Indiana, Othmar and Libby Grueninger, contributed $125,000 to be used over a five-year period after learning that the parade could have ended.

It should be preserved, said Othmar Grueninger, owner of Grueninger Tours. "It attracts people from the mainland," he said.

Allen said the parade has contributed to Hawaii's economy. "We are a revenue-generated event," she said.

Marching bands from Ohio, Texas and California pay for their airfare, stay in hotels and spend on food and souvenirs, said Allen.

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Star-Bulletin file photo
Pau riders are a holiday tradition.

What's happening in June to
celebrate King Kamehameha

Here's a list of statewide events. First, on Oahu:

Friday

4:30 p.m.: The King Kamehameha statue at Aliiolani Hale will be decorated with 13 flower leis. Honolulu firefighters from Kakaako Station No. 9 will help bestow the leis. Volunteers will begin sewing yellow plumeria for the lei at 8 a.m. by the statue.

Saturday

9:30 a.m.: 84th Annual King Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade. Pa'u riders, marching bands and 12 floats will participate. Matthew Mokiao, a member of the security team for Gov. Ben Cayetano, will portray the king. Parade begins at King and Richards streets and ends at Kapiolani Park.

10 a.m.- 3 p.m.: Folklife Festival at Kapiolani Park. Arts and crafts demonstrations by ethnic groups, limited sales, ethnic food booths and entertainment.

June 23

6 p.m.: 27th Annual King Kamehameha Hula Competition at the Blaisdell Arena. Groups from the mainland, Japan and Hawaii will compete in traditional and contemporary hula. As many as 300 to 500 dancers representing 18 dance schools will participate. Tickets are $8.25-$20. They go on sale at Blaisdell June 19.

June 24

1 p.m.: Hula competition continues at the Blaisdell Arena. Awards and special presentations will be made.

Neighborhood islands

Big Island: 9 a.m. Saturday, floral parade on Alii Drive in Kailua-Kona.
Kauai: 9 a.m. Saturday, floral parade on Rice Street in Lihue.
Molokai: 9 a.m. Saturday, hoolaulea in front of the Bank of Hawaii building in Kaunakakai.

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Rosemarie Bernardo, Star-Bulletin