KAILUA-KONA — ‘Tis the season — for the Kailua-Kona Community Christmas Parade.
The annual lighted parade presented by The Kailua-Kona Community Parade Association and the Rotary Clubs of West Hawaii will takes place at 5 p.m. Saturday, starting at Kekuaokalani Gym, before heading south on Kuakini Highway to Palani Road and Alii Drive, before ending at the Royal Kona Resort.
Nearly 50 entries will participate — led by Grand Marshall Robert Leopoldino — including lighted vehicles and the ever popular HELCO Toys for Tots train.
And, of course, Santa will make an appearance.
“It was so unexpected,” Leopoldino said of his selection to lead the procession. “There’s so many other people who deserve this.”
Leopoldino has immersed himself in the Hawaii Island scouting community for over 20 years, influencing scores of families to join and thrive in the scouting program. He’s been a pinnacle representing the scouts in the West Hawaii business community by successfully rallying many to support the program.
“My two boys were Eagle Scouts, so from there I got more involved. Just wanted to help,” he said.
Leopoldino recently retired from McDonald’s after 18 years with McDonald’s Hawaii Restaurants Corporation. For 29 years sold the McDonald’s of West Hawaii Restaurants and franchises. He said that as a restaurant owner he always had to be prepared for the parade, so he is looking forward to actually participating in it this year.
Currently, he is devoting his time to his family, his grandchild, and serves on several boards including the Island of Hawaii YMCA, Boy Scouts – Scouts BSA Advisory Board of Hawaii Island, capital campaign chair and finance committee at St. Michael’s Church. He previously served on the Waimea Annunciation Church as Financial and Capital Campaign chairman. Leopoldino is also a major donor and supported the North Hawaii Hospital in Waimea.
“I just try to help and give back to the community, especially where we live and grow and our kids grow up, Leopoldino said. “It’s good to give back.”
Announcer stations will be set up at West Hawaii Today, YWAM Ships, Splashers Grill, Hulihee Palace, Hale Halawai and Island Lava Java.
Food Basket ambassador Tommy Kahikina Ching will be accepting monetary and non-perishable food donations throughout the parade route for the island’s food bank.
Parade Entries
West Hawaii County Band
Grand Marshall Robert Leopoldino
Helco Toys for Tots
Kai Opua Canoe Club
Geico
Big Island Jeep Club
W H Aquatic Large Entanglement Response Network
Paradise Helicopter and 3C Goat Grazing
Innovations Public Charter School
The Salvation Army
The Food Basket
Japanese Social Club of Kona
Kai Ehitu Ohana
National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii
Lions Club of Kona
KBXtreme
Kealakehe High JROTC and marching Battalion
Alaka’i Academy
Tony Honda Kona
Kailua-Kona Target
Hawaii Montessori School
Big Island Jeep Rental
Hospice of Kona
Cornerstone Christian Fellowship Church
Echo City Knockouts
Koa Reindeer in Training
Kona Bilingual Seventh-Day Adventist Church
New Hope Legacy
365 Kona
Big Island Marshallese Community Association
Body Stress Release
Paul Morgan State Farm
Westside Auto
Auto Rescue Towing
Home Depot
Regency Hualalai
Kealakehe Elementary Schools Ukulele Ensemble
Royal Konceptz Car Club
Hawaii Gospel Church
Tranquil Nights Spraying Company
Kona Shrine Club
American Legion Kailua-Kona Post 20
HPM Santa Float
Innovations Public Charter
Walk Wise Hawaii
Randal’s Dance Fitness
Mitch Roth
Kona Coffee Cultural Festival
