By Dennis Oda, Star-Bulletin
Nani Kahaunaele, left, and Kanani Akau graced the Royal
Order of Kamehameha Ladies Auxiliary float in 1996.

---

Kamehameha
parade fit for a king

Events honoring the great
Hawaiian monarch this month
include the 83rd annual floral
procession on Saturday

Star-Bulletin staff

Glen Keawe Ka'auwai, a federal fire department chief, will portray Hawaii's greatest warrior during the 83rd King Kamehameha Floral Parade on Saturday.

The parade is one of several statewide events being held this month to honor the life of Kamehameha the Great, who unified the Hawaiian Islands. Kamehameha was born between 1748 and 1761, and died in 1819.

Keahi Allen, program specialist for the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission, said the 127th celebration will begin at 4:30 p.m. Friday with decoration ceremonies at the Kamehameha statue fronting Aliiolani Hale on South King Street.

The gold-trimmed statue will be decorated with 13 floral leis, created on site throughout the day by volunteers.

At 9:30 a.m. the next day, parade grand marshals Leilani and Puanani Alama, who are hula instructors and sisters, will kick off the parade at the intersection of King and Richards streets. The parade moves to Punchbowl Street, then onto Ala Moana Boulevard and Kalakaua Avenue before ending at Kapiolani Park in Waikiki.

Allen said Jim David, a retired Hawaiian Airlines pilot, will serve as pa'u marshal, while former Miss Hawaii Debbie Nakanelua Richards will be pa'u queen. The airline, a major sponsor of the Kamehameha celebration, is being honored on its 70th anniversary.

Following the parade, a festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Kapiolani Park featuring traditional arts and crafts, food booths and entertainment. A parade award ceremony will follow.

Here is a complete list of statewide Kamehameha celebration events.

On Oahu:

Friday, 4:30 p.m., decoration of King Kamehameha I statue at Aliiolani Hale.
Saturday, 9:30 a.m., 83rd King Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade. A festival begins at Kapiolani Park at 10 a.m.
June 25, 6 p.m., 26th King Kamehameha Hula Competition at Blaisdell Center arena.
June 26, 1 p.m., hula competition continues, followed by awards ceremony.

On the Big Island:

Saturday, 9 a.m., floral parade on Alii Drive through downtown Kailua-Kona.

On Maui:

Saturday, 10 a.m., floral parade along Front Street in Lahaina. A ho'olaulea follows.

On Kauai:

Saturday, 10 a.m., ho'olaulea at Kalapaki Park at Nawiliwili Harbor.

On Molokai:

Friday, 9 a.m. to noon, a ho'olaulea in the town center in Kaunakakai.