The 51st annual Makawao Parade will take place July 2. There will be a stick horse race at 8:30 a.m. for all ages and the parade will begin at 9 a.m.
The theme for this year’s parade is “Honoring our Heritage.” The Maui Veterans Council will march with a color guard to honor the country and its heritage, with Hawaiian pa’u riders participating to honor Hawaii’s cultural heritage.
This year’s grand marshals are brothers Henry and Freddy Rice to honor their father, Oskie Rice, and to also honor the 100th anniversary of Kaonoulu Ranch.
Maui Roping Club President Rodney Akau said, “The community is honored to have the Rice family as the grand marshals for this year’s parade, as they have given so much to our paniolo heritage over these past 100 years.”
This year’s route, which is being staged in the empty field across from the Veterans and Makawao cemeteries on Baldwin Avenue, will be the traditional one, up Baldwin Avenue and through Makawao town, turning onto Makawao Avenue and ending at the Eddie Tam Gym grounds. No parade parking will be allowed at the cemeteries, but the public will have access to the cemeteries during the parade via a Kee Street route developed by the parade committee.
Registration fees for the parade are $20 for horse units, $50 nonprofit groups, and $200 for political and business floats of marchers. There is a maximum of 40 people per parade entry. Applications are available by contacting info@anuheaflowers.com, or copies are available at the Makawao History Museum, Fong Store, Miyake Concrete Accessories-Makawao, Maui Feed & Farm, Wai Ulu Farms, Del’s Feed & Farm Supply, Kula Hardware and Garden, Haiku True Value, Komoda Bakery, Pukalani Superette and Haiku Hay & Grain.
Parade entries, signed waivers and payment are due by June 15. A mandatory meeting for parade marching participants will be held in the Makawao Elementary School cafeteria at 6 p.m. June 22.
Trophies will be presented to participating parade entries for the following categories: Best Parade Horse, Best Mounted Rider, Best Mounted Group, Best Mounted Keiki, Most Unusual Entry, Best Musical Entry, Best Float Entry, Best Representation of Parade Theme, Best Pairs and Best Costumed Rider.
Co-chairs of the 51st annual Makawao Parade are Duane Hamamura, president of the Makawao Community Association, and Yuki Lei Sugimura, a community organizer of Connec LLC.
“The community has come together to jointly produce this year’s event, it is a display of our vibrant Makawao community,” said Hamamura.
Those interested in marching or participating may contact Hamamura at 268-8729 or DHamamaui@gmail.com or Sugimura at 870-8047 or YukiLei.Sugimura@gmail.com.
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