Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 5, Number 7, 1 July 1988 — Hawaii's Flowers Accentuate 72nd Observance [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Hawaii's Flowers Accentuate 72nd Observance

Colorful Parade a Fusion of Music, Pageantrv

Another colorful event onee more highlighting the blossoms of Hawai'i's multitude of flowers passed into history as the 72nd annual King Kamehameha Floral Parade was held June 11 under a bright mid-day sun. Three thousand participants in 88 units thrilled thousands of spectators along the parade route whieh began in front of the statue of Kamehameha the Great on King St., down Punchbowl St., onto Ala Moana Blvd., into Waikiki down Kalakaua Ave., and ending on Monsarrat Ave. at Queen Kapi'olani Park where entertainment and a Ho'olaule'a were held. Presentation of awards to parade winners was also made from the park's bandstand. The parade marked the 116th celebration of Kamehameha Day and it turned out to be another outstanding undertaking by the sponsoring King Kamehameha Celebration Commission. While the parade was the highlight of June festivities honoring Kamehameha, there was the statue decorating by Hawaiian organizations the night before, a statue ceremony before the parade on the early morning of June 11 by the Daughters and Sons of Hawaiian Warriors and the 15th annual King Kamehameha Hula Competition June 24 and 25 at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center. Pa'u Queen Doveline Borges led a bevy of smiling pa'u princesses on their handsome animals and in their beautiful dress. Also included were the always beautiful and colorful floral floats; Hawai'i's own Royal Hawaiian Band under the direction of Aaron Mahi; fast-stepping high school drill teams; snappy military marching units; and convertibles bedecked with flowers and carrying the likes of Grand Marshall John D. Bellinger; Desiree Moana Cruz, newly-crowned Miss Hawai'i; Governor John David Waihee III; Mayor Frank Fasi; and O'ahu May Day Queen Namahana Kalama-Panui. One eye-catching group was Halau Hula O Maiki whieh had its young dancers as a marching unit, a float and its Hula Malie mounted unit. All were colorfully attired in bright red palaka shirts in keeping with the paniolo theme. The halau, whieh on May 30 held its fourth Founder's Day Celebration in honor of Aunti Maiki Aiu Lake, was judged best in the entire parade at the awards presentation. It also won first plaee in the Mayor's award for commercial float and second in the private mounted units. Coline Aiu Ferranti, one of Aunti Maiki's daughters, now heads the halau and the other functions under Kawena Corporation. Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee Kevin M. K. (Chubby) Mahoe kept the crowd at the Ft. DeRussy end of the parade route entertained with his commentaries and singing, a parade role he assumes annuallv.

Parade winners: Best in Entire Parade — Halau Hula O Maiki. Governor's Award for Outstanding FIoat — Kamehameha Schools. Lt. Governor's Award for commercial float — Halau Hula O Maiki. Grand Marshal's Award for non-commer-eial float — Ahahui Ka'ahumanu. Commission Chairperson's Award for eommercial float — Hui Nani Dancers. Commissioner's Award — Joan Lindsey Hula Studio. There was no non-commercial award. Private Mounted Units— 1. Ho Aloha Anuenue Hololio. 2. Halau Hula O Maiki. 3. Nali'i Wahine Hololio.

Pa'u Units — 1. Island of Ni'ihau. 2. Island of Kaho'olawe. 3. Island of Kaua'i. Pa'u Princess — 1. Island of Ni'ihau and Island of Kaho'olawe, tied. 2. Island of Mau'i. 3. Island of Lana'i. Marching Unit — 1. Cincinnati Connection. 2. Kamehameha Schools Tall Flags. Decorated vehicle, commercial— 1. Miss Hawai'i. 2. Voice of Hawai'i (California). Decorated vehicle, non-commercial— 1. May Day Queen Court. 2. Kamehameha Schools. Playing the role of King Kamehameha this year was Val Mahuka Sr. who rode atop the king's float whieh has been decorated the past several years by the Kailua Hawaiian Civic Club.

Theresa Malani gives the invocation and a brief message at a simple ceremony marking King Kamehameha Day June 11 at the famous statue. Sponsored annually by the Daughters and Sons of Hawaiian Warriors, the program also featured Watters Mahiole Martin who spoke on the Kamehameha legacy.

Miss Hawai'i 1988 Desiree Moana Cruz waves to the crowd in this first piaee decorated vehiele, commercial division, Mustang.

Pa'u Queen Doveline Borges is a picture of beauty and graciousness astride this handsome horse.

The men of Halau Hula O Maiki proudly display their banner as three of their units follow. The halau took two first places and a second.

The Cincinnati Connection drill team from Ohio was judged first plaee winner among marching units, ahead of Kamehameha Schools Tall Flags.