Kamehameha Day
tradition in bloom

Volunteers begin work on floral
floats for tomorrow's parade

Volunteers started to create the framework and foundation for floats to be featured tomorrow in the 89th annual King Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade.

Between 50 and 60 units that include pa'u riders, floats and marching bands will participate in the parade, which starts at 9:30 a.m. Participants will walk from the intersection of King and Richards streets and proceed down Punchbowl Street.

They will continue on to Ala Moana Boulevard, to Kalakaua Avenue, and end at Kapiolani Park. The parade is expected to last about 2 1/2 to three hours. Motorists should anticipate delays.

Volunteers started work on the King Kamehameha float as well as the Hawaiian Airlines float in downtown Honolulu yesterday. Floats from Alu Like Inc. and the Waimanalo Hawaiian Homes Association also will be featured in the parade.

B.J. Allen, arts program specialist of the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission, said there are normally more participants and floats in the parade, but multiple activities held on parade day and financial problems have led to a decrease in participants.

This year's grand marshal is Abigail Kawananakoa, heiress and descendent of King Kalakaua.

Retired Honolulu police officer Charles Kanaha Kapua will portray King Kamehameha the Great, and Kawananakoa's cousin Muriel Campbell Kuaihelani Shingle will be the pa'u queen.

King Kamehameha Celebrations Oahu Today >> 3:30 p.m. -- Concert by the Royal Hawaiian Band, Aliiolani Hale, Honolulu Civic Center >> 4 p.m. -- Statue decoration ceremonies, Aliiolani Hale, Honolulu Civic Center. The statue of King Kamehameha I is decorated with 13-foot floral leis that are created at the site by volunteers. Music and performances also will take place. Tomorrow >> 9:30 a.m. -- 89th Annual King Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade >> 10 a.m. -- Na Hana Noeau O Ka Pakipika. Arts and craft demonstrations, food booths and entertainment will be offered at Kapiolani Park. June 24 >> 6 p.m. -- 32nd Annual King Kamehameha Hula Competition. Hula groups from Oakland, Calif., Los Angeles, Nevada, Japan and Hawaii will compete at the Neal Blaisdell Center arena. June 25 >> 1 p.m. -- 32nd Annual King Kamehameha Hula Competition continues. Awards and special presentations will occur. Maui June 18 >> 10 a.m. -- Annual King Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade. Hoolaulea begins at 9 a.m. at Banyan Tree Park. A parade will take place from Kenui Street to Kamehameha Iki Park. An awards presentation will follow. Kauai Tomorrow >> 10 a.m. -- Annual King Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade. Marching units, decorated vehicles and pau units will travel from the Antone Vidinha Stadium down Rice Street, ending at the Historical County Building, where Hoolaulea will be held on the front lawn.