KOLOA — The present was turned back a few pages when participants in the annual Koloa Plantation Days celebrated 50 years of statehood, Saturday. “I remember the state Legislature was in session when the announcement was made,” said former Gov.
KOLOA — The present was turned back a few pages when participants in the annual Koloa Plantation Days celebrated 50 years of statehood, Saturday.
“I remember the state Legislature was in session when the announcement was made,” said former Gov. George Ariyoshi, a special guest at the annual event. “It was also my birthday.”
Thousands of people turned out to line the streets of Koloa from the library to Anne Knudsen Park. And the parade did not disappoint as more than 60 units provided spectators with color, music, entertainment and a bit of nostalgia as parade participants relived the glory and grandeur of Hawai‘i becoming a state on Aug. 21, 1959.
In those times, sugar was a major industry in the Islands and there was no need to remind people of the impact it made on the lifestyles and communities across the state.
Spanning the bridge of time, people were brought into the present as kumu hula Leina‘ala Pavao-Jardin and her Ka Lei Mokihana O Leina‘ala, overall winners of the 34th Queen Liliuokalani Keiki Hula Competition, graced the umbrella of the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort and Spa. The Kalaheo-based hula halau returned home last Sunday as the new perpetual trophy winners of the competition.
A rooster under one arm and a cane knife in the other, entertainer Augie T joined the Grand Hyatt ‘ohana, entertaining the crowd before taking the stage as part of the afternoon entertainment lineup at the Anne Knudsen Park celebration.
This variety that also included the color guard of the Waimea High School Jr. ROTC gave parade judges a hard time as the Grand Hyatt ended in a three-way tie for first place in the Walking Unit judging.
The Grand Hyatt, the Koloa School Class of 1959 and the Waimea High School Class of 1952 ended up tied in points for the judging, said Melissa McFerrin, the event coordinator of Koloa Plantation Days.
The Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Club finished the judging with a first place in the Floats competition and third place in the Mounted Unit for its presentation of three pa‘u queens dressed in patriotic red, white and blue.
Following the Waiohai float, the Jimmy Kimokeo ‘ohana, this year’s Grand Marshall, finished in second with the Old Koloa Town float taking third place honors.
Ahead of the pa‘u queens, the Kaua‘i All Girls Rodeo Association, featuring a show contingent of its younger riders garbed in patriotic attire and brandishing American flags and another contingent led by sabidong, or herbicide spray, masks rekindling many people’s memories of the sugar and pineapple industry heyday.
KAGRA was followed by the Keiki and High School Rodeo riders taking second place.
Tashana Valmoja, Miss Kaua‘i Filipina 2009, and the Holy Cross Parish finished in a tie for first place honors in the Decorated Vehicle judging with Shelbri-Ann Cosier, Michaele Lick and Salisa Pegeder riding aboard the DMD Productions convertible that rounded out the judging.
Ariyoshi, in his remarks during the formal part of the program, said this is something he hopes will never change because it is a reflection of aloha that is unique.
“There will be changes,” Ariyoshi said. “But this spirit of aloha is something that I hope will live on just like it is, today.”
The parade and park celebration marks the eighth day of a nine-day celebration that ends with the TriKaua‘i triathalon and Fun Run, and the 10th Annual Koloa Plantation Days rodeo at the CJM Stables starting at 11 a.m. today.
The week-long celebration of people, culture, and tradition of the first sugar plantation in Hawai‘i is made possible through the support of the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, the Kaua‘i community members, businesses and organizations.
For more information, visit the Koloa Plantation Days Web site at www.koloaplantationdays.com.
