WAIMEA — Several thousand people lined the streets to take in the Waimea Lighted Christmas Parade experience on the Saturday before Christmas. “I just got the last parking space at the Russian Fort,” said Art Umezu of the county’s Office
WAIMEA — Several thousand people lined the streets to take in the Waimea Lighted Christmas Parade experience on the Saturday before Christmas.
“I just got the last parking space at the Russian Fort,” said Art Umezu of the county’s Office of Economic Development. “Now, I’ve got to walk all the way to the Waimea Canyon Park. We’re supposed to meet there before the parade.”
Umezu was one of the banner bearers for the County of Kauai which featured Kaleo Carvalho doing karaoke from a mobile karaoke machine being pulled by one of the staff from Public Works.
“We’re No. 11,” Carvalho said. “We’re behind all these people, including Waimea High School, who is the Grand Marshal for the parade.”
Sponsored by the Waimea Business and Professional Association, who also hosted the official lighting of the town on Dec. 1, the event attracted a lot of community participation from local groups. The Waimea Streetfront Lighting Contest lit up the parade route with colorful, illuminated holiday decorations.
“This year, we added two new categories,” said Aletha Kaohi of the West Kauai Technology Visitor Center. “The Best Storefront was topped by PayDay Loans followed by Wranglers/Saddle Room, and the Shrimp Station. The Best Daytime Decorations was won by Jojo’s Anuenue followed by the Waimea Hawaiian Church and the Friendship Doo Ranch Stables Fence.”
Jerry and Cheryle Tallman of Alaska were waiting for the parade in front of Ishihara Market.
“I don’t care how cold it is in Alaska,” Jerry said, enjoying a bite of his pulehu steak and shrimp plate. “We try to get here every year for this parade.”
Jasmine McRae of Vancouver, British Columbia, was enjoying a Hawaiian-style meal near one of the white painted branches laden with decorations.
“This is my first Hawaiian plate lunch,” she said. “It is absolutely fantastic!”
Other contest winners included the West Inn Kauai, taking the Most Traditional Category, followed by the Love and Peace fence by the Waimea United Church of Christ, and Umi’s Store. Island Taco/Java Hut topped the Most Creative Category followed by Namahana with its florets created using African tulip seed pods and an aluminum can base, and the Super Duper Two.
Ultimate Nails topped the Most Brilliant Category, followed by Hair World/Stanwood Kanna and the Goose’s Edge Shell Service Station. J’s Dining and Aloha n Paradise topped the Most Beautiful Category followed by First Hawaiian Bank, Waimea Branch, and Da Booze Shop/Mane Event.
Ishihara Market was voted the Biggest and Brightest followed by the historic Waimea Theatre Building, including the Sea Shell and Gina’s at Yumi’s, and the Waimea Plantation Cottages rounded out the leaders.
