On Sunday afternoon, May 7, 1944, eighteen-year-old Kimie Kashiwai, the vivacious and talented singer, dancer and daughter of Fukujiro and Kana Kashiwai of Pakala, Kaua‘i, was crowned Kaua‘i’s May Day Queen during coronation ceremonies held at Lihu‘e’s Isenberg Field. Thousands
On Sunday afternoon, May 7, 1944, eighteen-year-old Kimie Kashiwai, the vivacious and talented singer, dancer and daughter of Fukujiro and Kana Kashiwai of Pakala, Kaua‘i, was crowned Kaua‘i’s May Day Queen during coronation ceremonies held at Lihu‘e’s Isenberg Field.
Thousands of local folks and military personnel stationed on Kaua‘i witnessed the pageant staged by the Kauai USO and the “Cow-Eye Sentinel,” Kaua‘i’s military newspaper, with its editor, Sgt. Duncan Campbell, narrating the festivities.
In the processional, Kashiwai made a beautiful queen dressed in a trailing white holoku with a blue and white court train.
Her court was comprised of four island princesses: Rose Manandik representing Kaua‘i; Nani Waiamau, Maui; Lani Kim, O‘ahu, and Alma Carroll, the Big Island.
The duty of bearing kahili for Kashiwai fell to John and William Bertrand, Masa Higashiyama, Edward Hamilton, Leslie Ota and Robert West. Maureen West, Jane Hirota, Barbara Amaral and Mary Mizutani served as flower girls.
The queen’s train bearers were Myrna Lee and Joyce Uyeno, while Hatette Alexander and Leina‘ana Oana escorted crown bearer Mary Moragne.
Hawaiian warriors Joseph Makanani, Paul Hirota, Antone Martin, Joe Souza, Herbert Apaka and Hiram Alexander attended the queen. Norton Malin and James Panui acted as heralds.
A detachment of eight U. S. Marines made up Kashiwai’s honor guard, and she was crowned by the commanding officer of the Kaua‘i district, Maj. Gen. George Greiner.
After the coronation, a short program of music and hula was performed by the hula troupes of Annie Holt, Irene Kanoho and Margaret Panui, accompanied by Mac Rapozo’s string ensemble, followed by the holoku ball.
Kashiwai married Akira Yamamoto and they had three children. Although she never performed professionally, she entertained at family parties for many years. She passed away in 2004.
