LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i Christmas Parade wrapped up a busy post-Thanksgiving weekend, Saturday afternoon at Kukui Grove Center. “We had a really busy Friday and Saturday,” said Jonell Kaohelauli‘i, the marketing director for Kukui Grove. “There were so many cars
LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i Christmas Parade wrapped up a busy post-Thanksgiving weekend, Saturday afternoon at Kukui Grove Center.
“We had a really busy Friday and Saturday,” said Jonell Kaohelauli‘i, the marketing director for Kukui Grove. “There were so many cars in the parking lot, Friday, the security guards had their hands full with people trying to park on the grass areas.”
Kaua‘i Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. amassed some of his department heads and staff as they headlined the parade followed by Sparky the Fire Dog riding atop a Mule all-terrain vehicle.
That signaled the start of a caravan of classic cars which preceded the various units in the parade, each slowing down as Jason Fujinaka of FM97 announced the unit fronting Times Supermarket and Greg Moseley doing the same at the Starbucks end of the mall.
When the dust settled, Kalaheo School Sunshine Express, an active participant for 12 years in the parade, captured top honors in the vehicle judging for its train filled with singers touting the 12 Days of Christmas with a local twist, the lyrics being illustrated by wood cutouts placed atop each of four train cars and a sleigh carrying a Hawaiian-style Santa.
Bigger-than-life characters from Sesame Street joined Na Hoku pageant winners atop a flatbed truck filled with plush toys and presents to earn runner-up honors in the vehicle category.
Dogs pulling a sleigh containing other canine icons of the season followed by another corps performing various obedience class routines captured the hearts of the judges who awarded the Dog Fanciers of Kaua‘i top honors in the walking unit class.
Another Hawaiian-style Santa, Ilima Rivera and her hula halau dancers of all ages festooned with hula attire garnished with holiday tinsel earned the halau runner-up honors in the walking unit category.
Outside of those winners, the Kaua‘i All-Girls Rodeo Association mounted unit with its miniature pony pulling the legendary Scoopers wowed the audience with its holiday attire that extended to the horses as well as riders.
Girl Scouts bearing gifts for the needy demonstrated the concern these young ladies had for the current state of affairs in the community, and a bevy of pageant winners rounded out the holiday offering.
Laine Griffith, director of the Kalaheo School Sunshine Express, led his students in a choral “Mele Kalikimaka” of appreciation as they accepted the trophy for being tops in the vehicle judging.
The event, one of three major parades highlighting the holiday season, was hosted by the Garden Island Federal Credit Union, the Kaua‘i Teachers Federal Credit Union and the Kukui Grove Center.
The Sunshine Express will be part of the 12th Lights on Rice parade that starts at 6:30 p.m., Friday.
•Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com.
