Song, dance and parade will honor Kamehameha
The 91st celebration features a weekend of historic and cultural events on many isles
Star-Bulletin staff
Floral floats, pa'u riders and several bands will march from downtown to Kapiolani Park tomorrow in one of the stellar events of the annual King Kamehameha Celebration. Parade organizers also expect 5,000 marchers and 50 vehicles.
The parade begins at 8:30 a.m. at King and Richards streets, heads down Punchbowl Street onto Ala Moana Boulevard, merges onto Kalakaua Avenue and culminates at Kapiolani Park.
"Bridging the World through Music and Dance" is the theme of the 91st annual extravaganza, with events statewide sponsored by the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission.
At 9 a.m. following the parade, a cultural festival, "Na Hana No'eau o Ka Pakipika -- Artistic Endeavors of the Pacific," will take place at Kapiolani Park. Entertainment, food booths, arts, crafts demonstrations and displays of Polynesia will be offered.
The parade awards ceremony will also be held.
Today, the Royal Hawaiian Band will launch the Oahu festivities at 3:30 p.m. at Aliiolani Hale, Honolulu Civic Center.
Music and hula performances will accompany the 4 p.m. decoration of the King Kamehameha I statue with 13-foot leis created at the site throughout the day by volunteers.
Monday at 8:30 a.m., the Daughters and Sons of Hawaiian Warriors will celebrate the birth of King Kamehameha I at his statue. A formal observance will be held with song, chants and prayers. EiRayna Adams, grand regent or kuhina nui, will be the guest speaker.
Various Hawaiian societies and lodges will attend the event in full regalia. For more information, call Watters O. Martin Jr. at 291-2250.
Other Kamehameha Day festivities:
KAUAI
» June 16, 10 a.m.: a floral parade in Lihue begins at Antone Vidinha Stadium, goes up Rice Street and ends at the Historic County Building. A ho'olaule'a will follow.
MAUI
» June 16, 9 a.m.: a Cultural Craft Fair will be held at Banyan Tree Park in Lahaina, followed by a floral parade at 10 a.m. from Kenui Street to Kamehameha Iki Park. An awards presentation will follow.
OAHU
» June 22, 6 p.m.: Hula troupes from Hawaii, Japan, Los Angeles and Oakland, Calif., and Las Vegas will dance in the 34th Annual King Kamehameha Hula Competition at the Neal Blaisdell Center Arena. For ticket information, e-mail
niele2@aol.com.
» June 23, 1 p.m.: The hula competition continues, followed by awards and special presentations.
Events in Kailua-Kona are to be announced.
All events are subject to change without notice. For more information, contact the commission office at 586-0333 between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., or e-mail kkcc@hawaii.gov.