Maui Road Closure and Parking for Kamehameha Parade

By Wendy Osher

[flashvideo file=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hP5qV1tQ8nE /] A portion of Front Street in West Maui will be closed between 8:30 and 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 18, 2011 to accommodate the 2011 Nā Kamehameha Commemorative Pāʻū Parade & Ho‘olaule‘a.

Front Street will be closed at all intersecting streets beginning at the Lahaina Cannery, and extending South to Shaw Street.   Kenui Street will also be used for parade preparations between Wainee and Front Street.

Event organizers are offering free event parking this year at King Kamehameha III Elementary School.

Parade Details:

2010 Pa'u Princess Hawealani Ka'ahanui Kahahane represented the island of Hawaii, adorned in the red color and flowers remeniscent of the Big Island. File photo by Wendy Osher.

The event includes a parade down Front Street starting at 9:45 a.m., a ho’okupu ceremony at Moku’ula, and a Ho’olaulea at Kamehameha ‘Iki Park in West Maui.

The theme of this year’s event is, “He Wahine Holo Lio”, honoring the noble tradition of pa`u riding.  Parade organizers have selected Donna Otsuka as this year’s Pa’u Marshal and Uncle Wilfred Souza as the Parade Marshal.

Spectators are invited to listen to commentary provided at various locations along the parade route including:

• Longhi’s: Matthew Erickson & Julie Yoneyama,
• Kimo’s with ‘Ohana Alcomindres,
• Cheeseburger in Paradise with Kumu Pulama Collier & Aunty Louisa,
• Lahaina Pizza Co. with Uncle Poki from KPOA 93.5 FM,
• Wharf Cinema Center with Toddy Liliko’i and owner Donna Soares, and
• Kamehameha ‘Iki Park with Makani Tabura from KISS-FM 99.9

Ho’olaulea Details:

Featured exhibits at the Ho’olaulea include those provided by the Lahaina Restoration Foundation, Friends of Moku’ula, The Royal Guard and Hui O Wa’a Kaulua.

The Friends of Moku’ula will run 3 tours for the day, starting at 1:00, 1:40, 2:20 p.m. Tours are 30 minutes and take place on the grounds of Moku’ula with kumu Keoki Sousa. Interested guests should meet at the Ho’ike’ike or exhibit tent 10 minutes prior to the start time at Kamehameha Iki Park.

Hui O Wa’a Kaulua will be doing tours as well, with times to be announced.

There will also be lei making with the Lahaina – Honolua Senior Citizen Club and Makahiki Games with the Kula Kaiapuna ma Nahi’ena’ena.

Items provided by vendors at this year’s Ho’olaule’a include:  kulolo, poi, jams & jellies, cococnut candy, feathered lei and kahili, macaroons, handmade Jewelry, hand carved wood carvings, hand decorated egg ornaments, koa cutting, serving boards, glass art, tapa angels, shell ornaments, lilikoi butter, guava waiwi jams and cupcakes.

2011 Program/Entertainment:

• 9:00 – 9:10 a.m.:  Ho’olaule’a Opens!
• 9:15 – 10 a.m.:  Joel Katz, provides pre-parade entertainment with steel guitar.
• 12:00 – 12:45 p.m.:  Ho’okupu at Moku’ula Ahu with Kapono’ai Molitau & Halau Na Hanona Kulike ‘O Pi’ilani
• 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.: Napili Kai Foundation
• 1:30  – 1:45 p.m.: Royal Guard Drill Performance
• 1:45  – 2:30 p.m.: Pueo Pata & Friends
• 2:30  – 3 p.m.:  Parade & Pa’u Awards presentation
• 3:00 – 3:45 p.m.:  Uncle Richard Ho’opi’i’s Leo Ki’eki’e Winner Po’okela Wood & Friends
• 3:45 – 4:45 p.m.:  Kulewa, Damon Parrillo
• 4:45 – 5 p.m.: Closing/Pau/Mahalo!