Maui Commemorates Kamehameha in Procession and Parade

Nā Kamehameha Commemorative Pā‘ū Parade & Ho’olaule’a.

By Wendy Osher

The Royal Order of Kamehameha I – Kahekili Chapter on Maui commemorated the life of Kamehameha the Great in procession in Kahului today.

The morning procession started at the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College, and concluded at Hoaloha Park.

The annual event honors Kamehameha the Great who is credited with the unification of islands under one rule.

A separate, celebratory, Paʻu Parade and Hoʻolaulea honoring the Kamehameha line will take place this Saturday in West Maui.

The theme of this year’s event, “E ola ka Mōʻī Kamehameha ʻElima,” honors the 150th Anniversary of the Royal Order of Kamehameha I.

Serving as the parade Grand Marshal this year is Aliʻi Nui of the Royal Order of Kamehameha I – Sir William Roback of Hāna. He is married to wife Carolyn, and is a great-grandfather and retired officer of the Maui Police Department.  Roback joined the Royal Order of Kamehameha Kahekili Chapter, after many years of service, and in 2009 was elected Aliʻi nui, of all chapters.

This year, Merton Kekiwi and Michael Purdy will serve as the event’s Paʻu Marshals.  Kekiwi was raised a paniolo on Kaonoulu Ranch by his parents Hua and Annie Kekiwi.  When he was 18, he was hired at ʻUlupalakua and worked there for over 40 years. Purdy was raised on ʻUlupalakua Ranch by his parents Daniel and Nancy Purdy. Now a retired cowboy of 40 years, he watches his children and moʻopuna as they continue to live the paniolo lifestyle.

The event ho’olaulea begins at 9 am. at Keawaiki at the Lahaina Banyan Tree Park.

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

Also this year, as a prelude to the