Plenty of the longtime participants in the annual Merrie Monarch Festival Parade are set to return this year, and there are a few additions and changes to keep things interesting.
Plenty of the longtime participants in the annual Merrie Monarch Festival Parade are set to return this year, and there are a few additions and changes to keep things interesting.
Missy Kaleohano, who has organized the parade the past several years, said that the 2016 event, set for 10:30 a.m. Saturday, will be a little bit smaller than in years past, but no less exciting.
“Traditionally, whenever Easter falls early, we have slightly less participants than in other years, but the parade has grown so much since the 50th anniversary, so we’re expecting a good parade,” she said.
Depending on where people in the crowd set up to view the 53rd annual parade, the whole thing will take about an hour to pass by, she said. The parade will follow its usual route along Pauahi Street, Kilauea Avenue, Keawe Street, Waianuenue Avenue and Kamehameha Avenue.
Big participants like Home Depot, Wal-Mart and others will have floats, costumes and more that will give the eyes plenty to feast upon.
One participant that is likely to be a hit with the crowds will be Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary, along with the 100th anniversary of the National Park System.
“They’ll be joined by a lot of their partners, like the Friends of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the Hawaii Pacific Parks Association. Their float will represent the three defining characteristics of the park, including geology, and natural and native beauty,” Kaleohano said.
One definite change this year that people will likely notice is an emphasis on refraining from using ohia trees, due to efforts to prevent the spread of the fungus that causes rapid ohia death. Nancy Cabral, owner of Coldwell Banker Day-Lum Properties and Day-Lum Rentals and Management, as well as a member of the Hawaii Horse Owners Association, will serve as this year’s pa‘u queen.
Email Colin M. Stewart at cstewart@hawaiitribune-herald.com.