Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 4, Number 9, 1 September 1987 — Na Mamo Kau Lio Aloha in Dazzling Performance at Hall of Fame Parade [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Na Mamo Kau Lio Aloha in Dazzling Performance at Hall of Fame Parade

If you missed seeing Hawaii in all its glory in the 1987 National Football League Hall of Fame Grand Parade Aug. 8 on KITV Channel 4, you missed out on a truly fine performance put on by 19 members of Oahu's own equestrian unit, Na Mamo Kau Lio Aloha. According to reports, the unit whieh travelled the farthest literally stole the hearts of America with style.

There were Aunty Lily Pua Victor and Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee Kevin (Chubby) Mahoe leadingoff the unit in a 1988 Ford convertible with member Larry Tang bearing signs reading: "Ho'olako: The Year of the Hawaiian," "We Are Enriched," and "Aloha from Hawaii." Jerry Santos of Olomana proudly carried the Hawaiian flag astride a handsome white stallion, followed by Patrick DePonte with the unit banner. Larry Akau and Rendy Bourg carried the kahilis. Then eame the ladies of Na Mamo Kau Lio Aloha in their elegant pa'u outfits, dazzling the masses who lined

a three-mile parade route in Canton, O. Harriet Hooululani Won was in shocking pink; Ileen Ruth Wong in hydrangea blues; Moana Lono in white and brown golds; Roena Vasconcellos, Moioka'i greens; and Sista Leota Pascual in magnificent lehua reds.

I he unit was escorted by club president James Alan (Kimo) Vasconcellos and members Char!es Wong, George Hauionalani Victor, Robert Kahe'e, Randy Akau, John Pascual and Howard Kawehi Lono. It was a grand presentation never to be forgotten. The splendor of the group's horsemanship and the rainbow colors of paradise made for a very spectacular show. All of the leis for the horses and riders were carefully fashioned and coordinated to match perfectly. It was obvious that many in the crowd had visited Hawaii because there seemed to be a genuine feeling for

the Hawaii unit, knowing how far they traveled and the many fund raisers they had to make the trip possible. There was a mutual feeling of aloha between the pa'u unit and the crowd. There were shouts of "Aloha" and the flashing of many "shaka" signs in the crowd. Aside from the parade, Na Mamo Kau Lio Aloha members did mueh in promoting Hawaii and spreading the Aloha spirit in the few days preceding Aug. 8.

They performed everywhere, singing songs from "Pua O Kamakahala" to "Tiny Bubbles," and doing the hula from the Kawika chant to "Along the Beach at Waikiki." There were Santos doing the Kane'ohe hula and then teaming up with Bourg and Mahoe as the Ope'alu Trio in a feet-stomping, hand-clapping hoedown session. The group performed at a Rib Burn-off carnival-type program featuring ribs of every BBQ style; Brookside Country Club for Frito-Lay of Hawaii President

Kenneth F. Froelich's birthday; and a Mayor's breakfast at the Canton Civic Center Auditorium where Mahoe gave the invocation. There were other activities involving the Hawaii delegation. One was a steak challenge accepted by Bourg and Mahoe. The challenge was to eat six pounds of steak, a bowl of baked beans, green salad and two dinner rolls or eom bread in a time span of one hour and 30 minutes. Mahoe won in 77 minutes and has since become a vegetarian.

Another major contributor to the group's entertainment performance was Mort Feldman of Tori Richards Ltd. Froelich, former president of the Honolulu Chamber of Commerce, was a Canton native before relocating to Hawaii. Those inducted into the Hall of Fame this year were Larry Csonka, Len Dawson, Joe Greene, John Henry Johnson, Jim Langer, Don Maynard and Gene Upshaw. Hawaii was in the company of movie and television stars and nationally acclaimed bands and marching units. It was an exciting and proud week in Canton for Hawaii and especially the 19 members of Na Mamo Kau Lio Aloha who indeed feel enriched in "Ho'olako 1987: the Year of the Hawaiian."

Five pa'u riders from Na Mamo Lio Aloha who dazzled thousands of spectators at the National Football League Hall of Fame Grand Parade Aug. 8 in Canton, O., read from left to right: Harriet Won, Roena Vasconcetlos, lleen Wong, Danette (Sista) Leota Pascual and Moana Lono.

Aunty Lily Pua Victor and Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee Kevin (Chubby) Mahoe aeknowledge parade crowd.