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Water Ways
Ray Pendleton
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Light up the holidays with your boat
Are you a boat owner in Hawaii? If so, according to government records, you most likely own a 26-foot boat that's stored on a trailer.
Also, I would bet that you almost exclusively use your boat for fishing, both for sport and to put food on your table. However, you probably never participate in anything as frivolous as a boat parade.
If I'm correct, then I hope there's a chance you will read the rest of this column and I might convince you there's something special about being in a Christmas boat parade and you and your family have been missing out.
Since 1994, the Hawaii Yacht Club has organized and hosted an annual Christmas boat parade. It was originally just a reason for the boat owners in the Ala Wai Harbor to decorate their vessels and gather for some holiday cheer.
However, through the incredible efforts of HYC member Barbara Silvey, it has evolved into not only a boat-decorating contest, but also a community fundraiser for the nonprofit homeless assistance organization Harbor House.
Harbor House -- an agency for the Hawaii Food Bank -- has been in operation since the mid-1980s and provides over 70,000 monthly meals to needy families.
To provide monetary assistance to Harbor House, all boats joining in the parade are asked for a small entry fee and for the first time this year, there will be a canned-food drive as well.
"Every entry is being asked to donate at least two cans of something," says Silvey. "Beans, tuna, Spam ... whatever you can."
And as the parade route will run through Honolulu Harbor, there will be a canned-goods collection station set up there for any spectators wishing to donate.
The parade will take place on Saturday, but there will be a mandatory boat registration and skipper's meeting at the HYC on Wednesday from at 6:30 p.m. This meeting is very important, as unregistered boats will not be allowed to enter Honolulu Harbor due to security restrictions.
This year's parade theme is "An Elvis Christmas," according to Silvey, and boat owners are asked to find ways to incorporate the "King of Rock and Roll" and his songs into their decorations.
The parade will begin at 5:30 Saturday evening with boats circling the basin in front of the HYC for judging. At 6 p.m., they will motor out of the Ala Wai and make the coastline sparkle on the way to Honolulu Harbor for a second judging.
The parade then returns to the Ala Wai around 7:30 p.m., where all participants are invited to a special buffet dinner and awards party at the HYC.
So, put that portable generator you bought after the earthquake aboard your boat and max it out with Christmas lights from bow to stern.
Then come on down to the Ala Wai launching ramp and join in the fun. There can't be a better way for a boat owner's family to get into the holiday spirit.