MEDIA RELEASE

35th Annual Paniolo Parade and Hoolaulea celebrates Hawaii Island traditions of family, horsemanship, stewardship, arts, food & music

Paniolo Parade in Waimea Image courtesy of Hawaii Island Festival

The 35th Annual Waimea Paniolo Parade and Ho’olaule’a this Saturday, Sept. 18, 2010, will spotlight this upcountry ranching community’s paniolo heritage with an all day celebration that will embrace the joy and traditions of family, horsemanship, land and cultural stewardship, the arts, delicious multi-ethnic foods and music.

Everyone is invited to join the celebration, which will begin promptly at 10 a.m. with the Paniolo Parade from historic Church Row Park to Waimea Park. Leading off the parade will be a Waimea scout color guard. Next comes the most “chicken skin” moment in the parade – the Royal Court entourage led by kahili and spear bearers, a court chanter and Kalaimoku, and then the Mo’i Kane (King), Jeff Jones Keana’aina, and Mo’i Wahine (Queen), Millie Darling Keana’aina-Arruda. The couple are brother and sister, and they will be walking the entire parade route in ancient garb along with their royal retinue. Spectators along the parade route are asked to stand when the colors and the Royal Court pass by. If anyone wishes to make a formal ho’okupu presentation to the court along the parade route, they must approach the Kalaimoku only – not the king directly.

Next in the parade will be a joyful blending of walking and mounted units, including a stunning all-island keiki pa’u unit and the West Hawai’i County Band, and there will be narrator stations along the parade route to explain the significance and traditions reflected by each entry.

Special guests in the parade will include Devin Kahale Ali’i Keanaaina, winner of this year’s 19th Annual Clyde “Kindy” Sproat Falsetto and Storytelling Contest, which was sponsored by Waikoloa Beach Resort in collaboration with the Hawai’i Island Fesival-30 Days of Aloha celebration on Sept. 5, 2010.

Known as Ali’i by family and friends, this year’s falsetto winner also will perform at the Ho’olaule’a in the park, which runs from the ending of the parade (about 11 a.m.) until 4 p.m. Ali’i will share the special mele, entitled “A He’aha” which was composed by Kamuela Himalaya and Ali’i himself that won him the Falsetto title. The mele was written to teach children and young adults to keep their heads up when problems come their way, especially in the form of gossip. Ali’i impressed the judges with his mo’olelo — or story of his song and the rich kaona — or hidden meanings – imbedded in the mele.

Also riding in the parade in a special place of honor will be Kalae Yonemura, the 2010 Ms. Aloha Nui. Born on O’ahu but raised in Kona, Kalae is the mother of three beautiful boys, and says that they are “my world.” Kalae works at Konawaena Elementary School at an after-school program for Kama’aina Kids.

With the ending of the paniolo parade – which will include several stunning adult pa’u units – will come the start of one of this island’s most impressive celebrations of music, art, food and family.

In addition to falsetto singer Ali’i Keana’aina, the entertainment lineup will include Hilo One (pronounced oh-nay) with Russell Mauga and Likeke Teanio, Bruddah Smitty and Rastar with emcee Nelson Ray Parker.

The day would not be complete without two huge tents featuring Hawaiian crafters and commercial vendors, plus more than a dozen different food booths including smoked meat and cabbage plates, stir-fried noodles with char sui chicken, pork teriyaki, laulau, stew, barbecue chicken and fried fish plates, a Filipino chicken-papaya bowl and BBQ brisket pulled pork sandwiches plus cotton candy, popcorn, funnel cakes, Tropical Dreams ice cream and floats, poi balls, shave ice, mini donuts and fried Oreos.

There is no charge to enjoy the parade and Ho’olaule’a and the public is invited to spend the day (after voting in the Primary Election, of course)!

The parade and ho’olaule’a are “signature events” of the Hawai’i Island Festival: 30 Days of Aloha, which was formerly known as Aloha Festivals. Helping to underwrite the celebration – which is organized entirely by volunteers – are the Hawai’i Tourism Authority, Big Island Resource Conservation Development (BIRCD) Council, the Richard Smart Ho’ohui o Waimea grant with Hawai’i Community Foundation, North Hawai’i Rotary, Big Island Candies, Blue Kalo and KTA Sutperstores Waimea.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Mamalahoa Highway (HWY 19) through Waimea town – from Church Row to Waimea Park – will be closed from 10-11 a.m. for the parade except to emergency vehicles. Expect delays.