KAILUA-KONA — For Malani DeAguiar, being pa‘u queen in the King Kamehameha Day parade isn’t about title or prestige. It’s about service, family and perpetuating the pa‘u rider tradition.
KAILUA-KONA — For Malani DeAguiar, being pa‘u queen in the King Kamehameha Day parade isn’t about title or prestige. It’s about service, family and perpetuating the pa‘u rider tradition.
“Be aloha and spread as much aloha as you can, allow God’s light to shine through in all you say and do,” DeAguiar said Thursday.
With 18 riders in her unit, it is one of the largest group of pa‘u riders to participate in the parade. Kamuela Himalaya, DeAguiar’s alaka‘i, said six is the typical number, but the Kailua-Kona woman envisioned 18 riders.
DeAguiar said Himalaya has been instrumental in helping her make the unit parade-ready for Saturday. That includes the oversight of making lei for riders and horses.
Along with the riders, there will be a horse-drawn carriage in the unit, which will carry DeAguiar’s parents and her daughter.
“I’m honoring God,” she said. “I’m honoring my parents and I’m honoring my husband.”
Her husband passed away 13 years ago. She will honor and remember him by using his saddle in the parade.
DeAguiar always wanted to be a pa‘u rider. Two years ago she rode in a unit. DeAguiar said it was Barbara Nobriga with Daughters of Hawaii who selected her to be this year’s queen because of her service to the community.
DeAguiar has been a Hawaiian studies educator in public and private schools across the Big Island for several years. She currently works with Kamehameha Schools as an education program manager.
The riders have been preparing for the parade at the old Keauhou Beach Hotel, which is now owned by Kamehameha Schools. DeAguiar said the school promotes ohana engagement. Throughout the riders’ get-togethers, the queen has watched firsthand a family form.
“As we make our lei and talk story, so many are learning and making connections,” DeAguiar said.
On Thursday, DeAguiar reflected on her past. She said she’s been through struggles that brought sadness into her heart. However, the pa‘u queen has been able to turn those experiences into something positive.
Along with being an educator, DeAguiar is now an inspirational speaker.
“Every day I’m thankful for something,” she said.
It was her past and how she’s handled it that inspired the blossom that will adorn her and horse lei. DeAguiar chose the a‘ali‘i.
“It bends in the wind, but never breaks,” she recalled of the flower’s meaning.
As of Thursday, DeAguiar said, all the horse and hat lei are complete. All that is left are the blankets for the saddles.
The King Kamehameha Day parade will start at 9 a.m. on Saturday. It begins near Royal Kona Resort, then travels down Alii Drive past Kamakahonu by the pier, then up Palani Road to Kuakini Highway.
The pa‘u riders will perform a hula after the parade at Hulihe‘e Palace.
For more information on the parade and events following, click here.
More King Kamehameha Day events on Hawaii Island:
North Kohala to celebrate King Kamehameha Day on Sunday
Hulihe‘e Palace event remembers King Kamehameha I