Kuhio Day Waikiki parade to celebrate Hawaiian community
Floats, bands and hundreds of marchers will mark the fifth annual Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole Commemorative Parade at 4 p.m. Saturday in Waikiki.
"The Prince Kuhio parade is a very local parade ... because everybody in it represents some segment of the Hawaiian community," said Leimomi Khan, president of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, which is sponsoring the parade.
The association, founded by Prince Kuhio in 1918, is calling the event "Ke Alii Maka Ainana: The Citizen Prince" in honor of Prince Kuhio, born March 26, 1871, on Kauai.
"This is a prince who cared about the grass-roots people," Khan said. Prince Kuhio was Hawaii's delegate to Congress for 20 years.
The parade route starts from Saratoga Road near Fort DeRussy, travels down Kalakaua Avenue and ends at Kapiolani Regional Park.
Serving as grand marshal of the parade is Ethelreda Kahalewai,* a former state worker known for her feather work and experience as a longtime Hawaiian civic club member.
The Royal Hawaiian Band, U.S. Pacific Fleet Band, several hula halau and local officials working on Hawaiian issues will take part in the parade. Participants will number about 500, including 50 different groups.
Khan said the parade is unique because it brings together many Hawaiian organizations and leaders of the Hawaiian community, such as economic, legislative and housing officials.
"It's kind of reflective of what Kuhio intended for Hawaiian people -- to begin to take more responsibility for themselves," she said, adding that the parade "honors the work and vision of one of Hawaii's greatest leaders."
The Prince Kuhio parade is one of several events celebrating Prince Kuhio this month. The first Great Hawaiian Folk Life Festival will happen on the same day at Kapiolani Park from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and continue at Queen's Beach from 5 to 9 p.m. For more information call 226-2697.
A luau celebrating Prince Kuhio will be held March 31 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Community Church on Nuuanu Avenue. For tickets call Alberta Low* at 455-9400.
CORRECTION
Friday, March 23, 2007
» Ethelreda Kahalewai's and Alberta Low's names were misspelled in yesterday's Page A5 story about the Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole Commemorative Parade.
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