PUHI – Traffic crawled as several thousand people lined Kaumuali‘i Hwy between Kukui Grove and the Kaua‘i Community College to view the 2005 Kauaian Days parade that kicked off a week-long celebration Saturday. For many, it was the final opportunity
PUHI – Traffic crawled as several thousand people lined Kaumuali‘i Hwy between Kukui Grove and the Kaua‘i Community College to view the 2005 Kauaian Days parade that kicked off a week-long celebration Saturday.
For many, it was the final opportunity to listen and view the Ku Kilakila Kaua‘i All-Island Marching Band that was recently featured at the 2005 Tournament of Roses parade in Pasadena, California.
“There is no going back,” Larry McIntosh told the band as they gathered in preparation for their final performance.
“You have set a standard for excellence in California, and this isn’t just a small parade on Kaua‘i.
A lot of these people have seen you on television, and they know what to expect,” he told the group.
“This is the final time they’ll get to see you as Ku Kilakila. After today, this band (group) as we know it will never appear again.”
The band did not disappoint as people poured accolades of cheer and applause as the colorfully garbed band made its way along the parade route, many spectators looking past the approximately 80 units to try and get an idea of when the band was going to appear.
Ku Kilakila was the final entry in the parade.
Among the group of honored citizens, community groups, hula halau, and numerous other entities, the Kapa‘a High School J.R.O.T.C. unit presented the colors long after the passage of parade and government dignitaries.
They were followed by the Waimea High School J.R.O.T.C. rifle team that performed acrobatic feats with their weapons as they passed in review.
Ron Wiley and Janet Kahalekomo anchored one of the audio stations along the Kukui Grove avenue, while at the Kaua‘i Community College end, Kaiulani Huff did the chores there.
Following the hour-long parade, people converged on the lawn of the Kaua‘i Community College where an assortment of crafters and community groups offered up a wide variety of food and crafts amidst an air of live entertainment that was kicked off by the Ku Kilakila Band.
Kaua‘i Mayor Bryan Baptiste presented McIntosh with a proclamation declaring Jan. 15 as Ku Kilakila Day in appreciation for the group’s achievements and accomplishments in representing not only Kaua‘i, but the state of Hawai‘i at the 2005 Tournament of Roses parade.
Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) and dfujimoto@pulitzer.net.
