Numerous well-known islanders will be involved in the Queen's Riding Unit, led by da Pa'u Queen Melveen Leed, in the Aloha Festivals Floral Parade that starts at 9 a.m. next Saturday at Ala Moana Park and runs down Kalakaua Avenue to Kapiolani Park. One of the participants is Don Stroud, who has had starring roles in movies and TV shows. Don, a former beach boy, said he always wanted to be in this parade so he will be a pooper-scooper along with Waipa Purdy, Vernon Parker, Kaumana Baptiste and Ikaika Nakanishi. Don's wife, Teri, and Carmen Malunao will drive the chuck wagon depositor for what the guys scoop up. Melveen's husband, Al Dacascos, and his kung fu kajukenbo unit will also join her in the parade. Some of the others are: Paula Akana, Sen. Brickwood Galuteria, Kimo Kahoano, Kiki Hugho, Rodney Cazimero, Birdie Wong, Keao Low, Clint Kalaola, Ken Irvine and Richlynn Kong. Milan Chun of Martha's Lei Stand and Skip Tomiyama are teaching volunteers how to make all the floral decorations, including huge leis for the horses as well as haku leis and leis for hats ...

Show biz veteran Jim Nabors and retired Marine Lt. Gen. Hank Stackpole will be honored at the American Patriot Awards banquet next Saturday at the Sheraton Waikiki. The Honolulu Council Navy League is host for the fundraiser. Nabors and Stackpole are being honored for their “;exceptional qualities of loyalty.”; The Honolulu Council Navy League supports military men and women and their families. Funds generated help youth programs including the Naval Sea Cadets and NJROTC. The funds also support families of deployed personnel and scholarships for military spouses. Tickets start at $250. Call Ann Stevens at 422-9404 for tickets ... To give you an idea what kind of person Nabors is, he will be doing his 11th “;A Merry Christmas with Friends and Nabors”; show with his usual strong cast and he never takes a penny for his services. The shows will be Nov. 27 and 28 at 7:30 p.m. and a Nov. 29 matinee at 2 p.m. The cast includes Jimmy Borges, Emma Veary, Karen Keawehawaii, Philip Huber and the Huber Marrionets and the Hawaii Theatre Orchestra led by Matt Catingub. Tickets will run from $30 to $75. Call 528-0506 ...

The Sacred Hearts Academy Scholarship Fund Gala, with a strong lineup of singers coordinated by Neva Rego, is scheduled Wednesday at the Sheraton Waikiki. The silent auction starts at 5 p.m. and dinner is at 7. Performers include Anita Hall, Marlene Sai, Jordan Segundo, Kawika McGuire, Ciana Pelekai and Les Caballos. Carole Kai is emcee. Outstanding alums being honored are: Sister Agnelle Ching, Elizabeth Chong, Ann Marie Kirk and the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts. This is the sisters' 150th year in Hawaii. Tickets are $125 and can be had by calling the academy at 734-5058 ext. 229 ...

Attorney Michael Green was on Cloud 9 when he called after the recent Mrs. America Pageant in Tucson, Ariz., to say his and Estelle's daughter, Liana Green-Wright, finished in the top 10 ...