KAPA‘A – The weather held up as blue skies and sunshine were replaced by overcast and showers as the last units of the Annual Veterans Day parade made its way into the Kapa‘a Beach Park Saturday. Thousands of people lined
KAPA‘A – The weather held up as blue skies and sunshine were replaced by overcast and showers as the last units of the Annual Veterans Day parade made its way into the Kapa‘a Beach Park Saturday.
Thousands of people lined the sidewalks through Kapa‘a town as community groups, veterans organizations, and other civic groups paid tribute to veterans of all wars as well as express their support for Kaua‘i’s contingent of Army National Guard personnel that were deployed to Iraq.
The Kaua‘i Veterans Council debuted their 2004 Miss Veteran, Randilyn Dela Cruz, a senior from Waimea High School who occupied a position of honor in the parade, and was described as an honor student at Waimea.
Dela Cruz, a member of the school’s J.R.O.T.C. program under the direction of Major Victor Aguilar where she is part of the rifle and drill team, also played volleyball for the Menehune.
United States Senator Daniel Akaka, being chaperoned by veterans Tsuka Murakami and Ted Inouye made a special appearance in the parade as well as the president of the Tournament of Roses Parade, Daniel Davis and his wife Holly who were constantly surrounded by parent supporters and coordinators of the Ku Kila Kila all-island marching band that will be performing in Pasadena, Calif., Jan. 1, 2005.
Mrs. United States Edrienne (Edwards) Carpenter postponed her trip back home to Texas so she could be part of the celebration as well as finish off her Kaua‘i trip with a motivational talk for Kapa‘a High School’s athletic director Greg Gonsalves.
Mrs. Carpenter arrived here in time to be a part of the Waimea High School homecoming celebration two weeks ago, and made appearances at the Kaua‘i United Way Walk before taking part in the Veterans Day parade.
Kaua‘i mayor Bryan Baptiste incorporated the family support group from the Army National Guard into his unit, and a bevy of beauty queens came up with innovative ways to express their support and tribute to veterans.
Hartwell Hanalei Blake served as this year’s parade chair, and announced that when the 61 units had made their way past the judges’ stand, Ku Kila Kila won the hearts of the judges for the “Best Marching Band.”
The choreographed salute to veterans amidst a sea of red, white, and blue balloons earned Na Hoku O Kaua‘i the “Best Float” award with Brownie Troop 812 being named the “Best Walking Unit.”
The Marine Corps League color guard that stepped smartly behind the Military Intelligence Service troop carrier was deemed the “Best Marching Unit.” Bill Honjiyo, of the Vietnam Veterans organization, said the annual tribute would not be possible without the efforts of the Kaua‘i Veterans Council that is presided over by Frank Cruz.
Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) and mailto:dfujimoto@ pulitzer.net
