Kamehameha Day Celebration Parade seeks participants, volunteers
Preparations are underway for the annual King Kamehameha Day Celebration Parade set for Saturday, June 11, in Kailua Village.
Featuring more than 100 riders on horseback, the annual parade and ho‘olaule‘a (music and art festival) fittingly return this year on Kamehameha Day in Historic Kailua Village. Kamehameha Day is a state and county holiday established in 1871 to honor Kamehameha the Great, who united the Hawaiian Islands in 1810 and became Hawaii’s first king. He died in 1819.
This year’s parade begins at 9 a.m. on Kuakini Highway, near the Palani Road intersection, and travels down Palani to Kailua pier, then southbound down Alii Drive through the village to Royal Kona Resort.
Registration is open to groups and individuals who would like to be in the parade including marching bands, decorated floats, walking units, hula halau, horse-drawn carriages, classic cars and equestrian units. Volunteer and sponsorship opportunities are also available.
The highlight of the parade, traditional pa‘u equestrian units will represent the eight Hawaiian Islands and be led by their respective island princesses. Whether riding as a page, attendant or outrider, all equestrian participants should have basic horsemanship skills. Princesses and attending riders must be age 18 and older, while the banner page may be age 12 or older, depending on riding experience.
For entry guidelines or to submit a registration application, visit the parade’s official website at Konaparade.org. All entries are subject to the approval of the parade committee.
