KOLOA — Bands of menacing cold gray and indigo clouds loomed thick over town early Saturday after what seemed to be the stormiest night of the summer, and though events islandwide were being called off, organizers of the Koloa Plantation
KOLOA — Bands of menacing cold gray and indigo clouds loomed thick over town early Saturday after what seemed to be the stormiest night of the summer, and though events islandwide were being called off, organizers of the Koloa Plantation Days Parade were not going to quit.
Parade-watchers’ cars were lined up from Koloa Road past the bypass road, as hopefuls braved the humidity and mucky mud and walked down to find the best spots – umbrellas, cameras and folding chairs in tow. Meanwhile, units in the parking lot of Koloa Library organized their sacks of toys and treats to hand out to the little ones.
Koloa Plantation Days founders included Phyllis Kunimura and Abel Medeiros, who led the way holding the official banner. Parade chairwoman Stella Burgess was also on hand.
The parade, now in its nineteenth year, had 74 entries. The parade’s grand marshal was Jose Marquez, a McBryde Plantation ditch man from 1927-1964. The Marquez-Gampon family reunited Saturday, wearing T-shirts emblazoned with “McBryde Plantation, Kukui‘ula Camp 1927-1973.”
A group of paniolos led a riderless horse in memory of late parade marshal Larry Jordan, who died last year just several days after the death of his wife Cheryl, a well-known Koloa community figure.
Kaua‘i Classic Car Club’s 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air won first place in the classic cars division. Other entries included spirited kachi-kachi musicians on Outrigger Kauai-sponsored wheels and versions of the old Yamamoto Store and Koloa Plantation Store aboard Waiohai Beach Club and Poipu Shopping Village’s floats. Mayor Bryan Baptiste and council members Jay Furfaro, JoAnn Yukimura and Joe Munechika also walked the parade route.
“You don’t have to pick ‘em up yourself. They just give ‘em to you!” exclaimed one youngster as she chomped on some candy she got from the Kaua‘i All-Girls Rodeo team. The girls rode horses draped with lei they strung using blue and white rubber slippers.
The theme of this year’s Koloa Plantation Days was “Hana Bata DaysnGrowing Up Plantation Style,” with some marchers wearing newspaper hats, spinning yo-yos, or using decorations to remind us of “the good old days.”
Parade judges awarded the Hyatt Regency Kauai’s group a Best In Show plaque for its equestrian entry. Members of the 12-rider team were dressed in cowboy costumes like Zorro, Dale Evans and Pocahontas, and directed their horses to walk diagonally, backward and in circles.
“Our idea was to depict the characters we all grew up with,” said Pomai Cano, Hyatt HR staffer and the team’s organizer. Cano said this was the group’s third year, and she specially learned to ride three years ago. “It’s a credit to everyone in the unit because you not only have to have a good horse, you have to be a good rider,” she said after accepting the award, donated by Beryl and late husband Eric “Iki” Moir, long-time supporters of Koloa Plantation Days.
Tony and Kerri Bunao brought their sons Trent, 4 months, and Trey, 18 months, to their first parade. “Trey just waved at everyone, he was having a lot of fun,” Tony said, while Trent was actually asleep the whole time.
“The horses, and the trucks, and the ladies that were riding,” said Katie, visiting with her parents Dave and Stacy and sister Kinsey, from Irvine, Calif. “My favorite was the hula dancers,” Kinsey recalled the Tahitian dancers aboard the Poipu Shopping Village float.
Malama Maha‘ulepu got an award for best walking unit, at least 40 strong, all wearing newspaper hats, following a truck decorated with foliage and a bonsai tree arrangement.
Following the parade was the day-long Koloa Town Celebration at the ball park, featuring a dozen food booths offering everything from roast pork, pizza, and pasteles, and more than 80 crafters and entertainment, for a $1 entry fee.
Entertainers included youth drummers Tsunami Taiko; local musicians Holomua; Kasibulan Filipino Dance Company; comedian Frank De Lima; Tahitian dance group Rohotu, led by Wallis Punua; the Latin Amigos; and acoustic rock group Lost Pelicans. The day was capped off with O‘ahu music group The Opihi Pickers.
KOLOA PLANTATION DAYS PARADE WINNERS
Best in Show
Hyatt Regency Kauai
Best Floats
1 – Poipu Shopping Village
2 – Outrigger Kiahuna, Old Koloa Town (tie)
3 – Outrigger Canoe Club, Sophisticated You (tie)
Best Walking Units
1 – Malama Maha‘ulepu
2 – Beach House
3 – Outrigger Kiahuna
Best Equestrian Teams
1 – Hyatt Regency Kauai
2 – Kauai All-Girls Rodeo
3 – Poipu Shopping Village
Best Classic cars
1 – 1957 Chevy Bel Air
2 – 1955 Chevy hardtop
3 – 1955 Chevy Bel Air
Best Decorated Vehicles
1 – Waiohai
2 – Beach House
3 – Kauai Shriners
Rodeo, C&K concert, highlight Koloa Plantation Days today
Sunday, July 27
- Koloa Plantation Days Rodeo, CJM Stables (1-1/2 miles past Hyatt), grand entry at noon. Top cowboys & cowgirls compete for champion trophy buckles in riding, roping, barrels, and bull riding. Craft and food booths; free admission. (742-6096)
- Cecilio & Kapono “Together 30 Years” Concert, Hyatt Regency Kaua‘i. Doors open 6p.m.; concert starts 7p.m. $20 general admission. Popular duo performs their distinctive rock and island music. Tickets for sale at Pono Market, Paradise Seafood, Steve’s Mini Mart, Progressive Expressions, Toi’s Thai Kitchen, Ishihara Market, and Stella Burgess at Hyatt Regency, 742-1234 ext. 3770.
