WAIMEA — Heads turned as a head of red hair blew in the wind and the unmistakable rumble of a Harley Davidson rolled through Waimea, Sunday. “She came straight from church,” said Tony Ricci, a motorcycle enthusiast who was helping
WAIMEA — Heads turned as a head of red hair blew in the wind and the unmistakable rumble of a Harley Davidson rolled through Waimea, Sunday.
“She came straight from church,” said Tony Ricci, a motorcycle enthusiast who was helping Patrick McLean of the Waimea Main Street Program park the bikes for the first motorcycle show in Waimea.
McLean, consultant for the West Kaua‘i Main Street program, said the members of the Waimea Town Main Street wanted to put this event together to extend thanks to the motorcycle community for their patronage and to extend an open invitation to future events.
The Waimea Town Main Street program consists of 26 member businesses with the intent of taking a balanced approach to historic preservation along with providing the support needed to breed successful businesses.
McLean said the perspective is best stated by the program’s mission statement — To enhance the financial prosperity of Waimea Town while sustaining its unique historic and multi-cultural resources through creative economic endeavors.
Numerous riders took advantage of clear sunny skies and a whispering breeze to ride their motorcycles out to the Westside and take part in the show.
“It’s a good show,” Ricci said. “But I’ll be riding my wife’s bike at the season’s first drag races, Saturday at the Mana Raceway Park.”
Ricci was briefing spectators who mingled through the sea of more than two dozen motorcycles, explaining that gates to the Saturday drag races will open at 8 a.m., Test and Tune takes place from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and the races starting at 7 p.m.
Moon Lake of the Ali‘i Motorcycle Club took advantage of the opportunity to announce the Ali‘i’s motorcycle ride and show which will take place on March 28 at the Hanama‘ulu Beach Park.
Lake, unloading a bike belonging to Chris Wright, said the ride will leave Hanama‘ulu at 10 a.m. and on the return of the convoy, the motorcycle show will start in the park amidst an atmosphere of food, music and lucky number drawings..
“It should be about 1 p.m. when the bikes come back and start parking,” Moon said. “We’ll be having all kinds of prizes, including a Best in Show. We want people to bring their bikes and show them off.”
The head of red hair belonged to Dr. Maila Coleman of Waimea, who rumbled into the side street fronting the row of historic buildings, the breeze teasing with the hem of her mu‘u as she rolled into the registration area.
“Her brother is from Alaska and we’re leaving tonight, so we told her we would meet her for ice cream,” said Rebecca Coleman. “When she found out about the motorcycle show, she said, ‘I need to be in that,’ and jumped on her motorcycle without even changing.”
McLean said the turnout was a success with more than double the attendance they had planned for.
Harold and Paula Rosa ended up as the first prize winners, the couple having the honor of their bike being printed on next year’s event shirt.
Alma Koetje’s bright orange bike took second place honors followed by Danilo Medina’s air-brushed 2007 GSXR-600 settling in third place.
Dennis DeSilva’s yellow customized bike finished fourth over Kris Van Dahm.
“The members of Waimea Town Main Street contributed more than $1,000 in cash and prizes for this event,” McClean said. “We appreciate the motorcycle enthusiasts’ suggestions on how to better serve their needs and are already planning for a larger event next year with multiple classes of competition.”
Major contributors to the first motorcycle show included Na Pali Explorer, A Hideaway Spa, Aunty Lilikoi, Makai Properties, Da Booze Shop, Kaua‘i Granola, Sweet Lomi Massage, The Shrimp Station, Super Duper Two Gourmet Ice Cream and Lu’s Crafts.
For more information on the Waimea Town Main Street program, visit its Web site at www.wkbpa.org.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com.
