Nā Kamehameha Pāʻū Parade and Hoʻolauleʻa This Weekend

Rachel De Coite of Pukalani represented the Island of Maui in the 2013 parade, winning the award for Outstanding Pa’u Princess. Photo credit: Jackie Jean Photography. Courtesy photo from Nā Kamehameha Paʻu Parade.

By Wendy Osher

A celebratory, Pāʻū Parade and Hoʻolauleʻa honoring the Kamehameha line will take place this Saturday, June 14, in West Maui.

The event’s Hoʻolauleʻa runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at two locations–Kamehameha Iki Park or the Old Armory Park next to 505 Front Street, and at Keawaiki or the Lahaina Banyan Tree Park.

The Hoʻolauleʻa features exhibits, keiki art activities, pāʻū awards presentations at 1 p.m., food booths supporting community nonprofits, lei making, farmers market, cultural exhibits, crafts featuring Made on Maui products, and local entertainment.

Live entertainment at Keawaiki include: Sean Robbins, Huewa, Hālau Kealakahinanoopuna, the Lahaina-Honolua Senior Citizens and Kūlewa.

Cultural exhibits will be provided by the Friends of Mokuʻula and Hui O Waʻa Kaulua.

The parade starts at 9:45 a.m. on Saturday at the Front and Kenui Street intersection.

Prior to the parade, police will enforce a road closure beginning at 8:30 a.m. along Front Street at the Kenui Street intersection.

All subsequent cross streets along the parade route will be closed including Front street intersections with: Baker, Pāpalaua, Lahainaluna , Dickenson, and Prison Street.

This year’s event theme is Nā kahu o nā mea makamae, Celebrating our Museums.

Ashley Branco of Lahaina represented the island of Molokaʻi in the 2013 parade. Photo credit: Jackie Jean Photography. Courtesy photo from Nā Kamehameha Paʻu Parade.

The Pā‘ū Parade will showcase the Art of Pā‘ū, a visual demonstration of Hawaiian equestrian styling.

Parade commentary will be provided at six stations along the parade route including: Longhi‘s, Kimo‘s, Cheeseburger in Paradise, Lahaina Pizza Co., The Wharf Cinema Center, and Entertainment Stage at Kamehameha Iki Park.

Admission to the Pāʻū Parade and Hoʻolauleʻa are free and the events are open to the public.

Planning co-chairs for this year’s Pāʻū Parade and Hoʻolauleʻa are Daryl Fujiwara of Smythe Fujiwara Design and the Lahaina Hawaiian Civic Club, and Pāʻū Chair Kalani Kapu.

Prior to Saturday’s event, there will be a Second Friday Lahaina Town Party from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, June 13, at Campbell Park between the Baldwin House Museum and the Wharf Cinema Center.

The event features Hawaiian music by Sean Robbins and Maui’s Leohone, featuring Ikaika Blackburn, Piʻilani Arias and Kamakoa Lindsey-Asing.  A teri-chicken food booth to support the Boys and Girls Club will be available along with a kalua pig food booth hosted by the Lahaina Hawaiian Civic Club.

Photo credit: Jackie Jean Photography. Courtesy file photo from Nā Kamehameha Paʻu Parade.