Commemorating King Kamehameha

LIHU’E — Wailana Medeiros-Cummings sat quietly next to the North window of the

Lihu’e Lutheran Church as she watched the entry of the various members of

Hawaiian societies that would participate in the King Kamehameha Celebration

Commemorative Service, a prelude to the parade and ho’olaulea that celebrates

the birth of one of Hawai’i’s kings.

Edee Bandmann, one of the

Celebration’s co-chairs, walked through the crowd that was gathering inside the

church, reluctant to leave the crisp breezes for the confines of the quaint

church on German Hill. Bandmann would serve as the day’s hostess.

The

Royal Order of Kamehameha and Its Women’s Auxiliary was represented by Jean

Holmes, one of this year’s honorary marshals selected by the Celebration

Committee based on criteria that included how the honoree lived the spirit of

Aloha.

Pa’u queen for this year’s parade Uli’i Castor headlined a trio of

women garbed in their regal black highlighted by a bright deep yellow that

announced their presence as members of the Kaahumanu Society.

Across the

way, an overflow group of Hale O Na Ali’i – Halau O Kapiolani filled the front

pews while the governor’s Kaua’i liason Roy Nishida found a seat in the

audience of honorary marshals including Georgia Mossman, Louie Almadova, Nancy

Fuller, Sachi Ikeda, Dorothy Nakazawa, and Dede Wilhelm.

“This is the first

time I’ve been in this church,” remarked Antone (Tony) Wong, this year’s parade

Pa’u Marshal as he removed the familiar weathered cowboy hat while surveying

the audience of parade celebrants before making his way for a seat next to his

brother Harold Aiu, another honorary marshal.

In the back of the small

church, Jean Maile Amorin sat quietly, her posture regal and proud, reminiscent

of the days when she reigned as one of the former pa’u queens, and pa’u

princesses before becoming the queen.

Across the central row of pews, Mr.

and Mrs. Art Umezu joined the audience, representing Kaleinani Hayakawa who

would be arriving from Japan in time to be one of the honorary marshals for

this year’s parade that would start at the corner of Ho’olako and Rice streets

and wind its way up through Lihu’e before ending on the lawn of the historic

County Building on Saturday morning.

“I didn’t know about this (service),”

an apologetic “Aunty” Sarah Kailikea said as she tried to conceal her more

casual attire. The matron of Hawaiiana was seated next to Amorin. Pa’u

princesses representing each island were introduced by Bandmann — Hawai’i,

Denise Allianic; Maui, Tracey Kagawa; Kaho’olawe U’elani Santos-Balisacan;

Lana’i, Alanne Tasaka; Molokai, Bernadine Villatora; O’ahu Tracy Pimental;

Ni’ihau Kahea Bukoski; Kaua’i, Mary Ann Kelekoma.

Alan Smith will be

heading up the parade with the banner, and Larry Jordan, whose wife Cheryl was

acknowledged as a former pa’u queen, brings over 35 years of parade experience

to this year’s celebratory parade as the head of the roving marshals. Bandmann,

herself a former pa’u queen, introduced former queens in attendance including

Maile Hurley, Helene Vierra, Tammy Kaui, Janelle Fernandes, Julia Chandler

Sueoka, Polei Palmeira, Janet Kahalekomo, Bridgit Chandler, Nani Kamai, and

Eloise Oclit.

Oclit and KUAI Radio’s Bill Dahle will serve as commentators

at one of three announcer stations that will be set up along the parade

route.

Melanie Pejada and JK, whose video cameras recorded the service as

part of the Kamehameha Day Celebration presentation that will be aired on The

JK Show following the event, will anchor the station set up at the Ace Hardware

parking lot, and Shelly Cobb and Kaulani Eden will anchor the third announcers’

station.

The service of Thanksgiving was officiated by Reverend Paul

Kirchner.

Wailana’s mom will be one of the numerous riders for this year’s

event.