51st Annual Makawao Parade Scheduled for July 2

Makawao Parade Commitee: (left to right) John H. Tomoso, Michael Molina, Cherie Attix, Duane Hamamura, Barry Gay, Mayor Alan Arakawa, Yuki Lei Sugimura, Brenda Kualaau, Joshua Lindsey and Lee Youngflesh.
Photo credit: Ryan Peros

The 51st Annual Makawao Parade is scheduled for Saturday, July 2, 2016.

The Makawao community has coordinated this Upcountry paniolo tradition with a Stick Horse Race for all ages at 8:30 a.m.; the parade begins at 9 a.m.

The theme for this year’s parade is “Honoring our Heritage.”

The Maui Veterans Council will march with a color guard to honor the USA. Hawaiian pa‘u riders will honor the state’s cultural heritage.

This years grand marshals are brothers Henry Rice and Freddy Rice, who will honor their father, Oskie Rice, and the 100th anniversary of Ka‘ono‘ulu Ranch.

“The community is honored to have the Rice family as the grand marshals for this years parade, as they have given so much to our paniolo heritage over these past 100 years,” said Maui Roping Club President Rodney Akau.

“Honoring Our USA” photo by Blair Mertens.

This year’s parade will be staged in the empty field across from the Makawao Veterans and Makawao Cemeteries on Baldwin Avenue.

The parade will proceed up Baldwin Avenue and through Makawao Town, turn onto Makawao Avenue and end at the Eddie Tam Gym grounds.

No parade parking will be allowed at the cemeteries; families will have access to visit loved ones during the parade via the Kee Street route access developed by the parade committee.

Registration fees for the parade are $20 for horse units; $50 for nonprofit groups; and $200 for political and business floats. The maximum number of people allowed per parade entry is 40.

Applications are available by contacting [email protected] and at the Makawao History Museum; Fong Store; Miyake Concrete Accessories Inc. Makawao; Maui Feed & Farm; Wai Ulu Farms; Del’s Feed & Farm Supply; Kula Hardware and Garden; Haiku True Value; Komoda Bakery; Pukalani Superette; and Haiku Hay & Grain.

Parade entries, signed waivers and payment are due by June 15.

Event organizers will hold a mandatory meeting for participants at the Makawao Elementary School cafeteria on Wednesday, June 22 at 6 p.m.

Makawao Parade will open with the traditional Stick Horse Race. Kids of all ages are welcome. The date for community Stick Horse making will be announced. Photo credit: Blair Mertens

Parade trophies will be presented in the following categories: Best Parade Horse, Best Mounted Rider, Best Mounted Group, Best Mounted Keiki, Most Unusual Entry, Best Musical Entry, Best Float Entry, Best Representation of Parade Theme, Best Pairs and Best Costumed Rider.

Duane Hamamura, president of the Makawao Community Association, and Yuki Lei Sugimura, a community organizer of Connec LLC, will serve as this year’s parade co-chairs.

“The community has come together to jointly produce this years event,” said Hamamura. “It is a display of our vibrant Makawao community!”

This years sponsors are the County of Maui, Office of Economic Development, Friends of Alan Arakawa, Maui Roping Club, Makawao Community Association, Rotary Club of Upcountry Maui, Makawao History Museum, Maui’s Country Y106.5, HHawaii Media Stations, Makawao Merchants Association, Sydney Smith of Coloriginals, Stick Horse Chair Rene Wineland, Makawao Merchants Association, Makawao Third Friday, Tri-Isle Resource Conservation and Development Council Inc., Polli’s Mexican Restaurant and Connec LLC.

For information about marching or participating in the parade, contact Hamamura at 268-8729 or [email protected], or Sugimura at 870-8047 or [email protected].