4 Thursday, September 15, 2016 Island Beat Hawaii Tribune-Herald Riders to saddle up for Waimea Paniolo Parade As part of the Hawaii Island Festival — 30 Days of Aloha, the 41st annual Waimea Paniolo Parade and Hoolaulea takes place starting at 10 a.m. Saturday. The parade route starts at Cherry Blossom Park and heads through Waimea town past KTA and Foodland, then takes a right on Lindsey Road and ends in Waimea Park. Among the highlights of the parade in Waimea, where paniolo tradition still thrives, are various pa‘u units and pa‘u princesses representing all the Hawaiian Islands. There’s also a keiki pa‘u unit, Na Meheu o Na Po‘e Paniolo. Joining the parade this year are 25 members of the U.S. Navy Band from Honolulu, the Sports Car Club of America Hawaii Region and the GEICO gecko. Other parade participants include Cirque Ohana, Hawaii Carriage Driving Society, Waimea Country School, Parker School, Kanu o ka Aina and Halau Po‘ohala. “All the keiki come out and it’s their day to shine,” explains Moani Akana, parade director. “We have various schools, ranching families and pa‘u riders. The royal court’s participation also gives us a glimpse into what it might have been in the days of old. The pa‘u riders and keiki pa‘u unit share the art of lei-making as well.” Immediately after the parade, the hoolaulea will take place until 4:30 p.m. There will be live entertainment by Kai Ho‘opi‘i, Bulla Kailiwai and others. Local crafters and artisans will feature everything from lauhala items and clothing to jewelry. There will be many food vendors as well, offering up ono dishes such as pork teriyaki by Aunty Kana‘e, fried kole fish plate lunches by the Carvalho ohana and other snack and food items. “This is an important event for the community because it brings us together,” Akana says. “This town has grown so fast that we rarely see one another. It’s not like the old days where you would see aunty or uncle at the post office or supermarket. This parade is unique to Waimea because of the rich ranch history, our paniolo and their family who continue this lifestyle such as pa‘u.” The mission of the festival is to perpetuate the cultural traditions and aloha spirit of Hawaii. The Hawaii Island Festival — 30 Days of Aloha also is working to prevent the demise of ohia lehua trees. Organizers are asking for support by purchasing $5 festival ribbons from Hawaii Island Festival — 30 Days of Aloha event chairpersons. For more information, visit hawaiiislandfestival. org. Courtesy photo Pa‘u units and pa‘u princesses representing all the Hawaiian Islands will be featured in the parade.
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