King Kamehameha Day Parade — June 10th

King Kamehameha Day, celebrated throughout Hawaii, is lined up this year on Kauai with The Kings Parade and Ho’olaule’a (celebration) will start at 9 a.m. from Vidinha Stadium in Lihu’e, and make its way up Rice Street to end at the Historic County Building, where the ho’olaule’a begins from 10 a.m. with an array of food offerings, protocol, craft vendors and live entertainment.

Pa‘u units including the queen and her entourage of princesses are wahine (women) wear long, colorful skirts called pa‘u. The unis characteristically ride astride rather than sidesaddle, and stem from the early 19th century when horses were introduced to Hawaii and ali‘i (royalty) women dressed up to ride for formal occasions. The riders participated in performances and displays, the outfits became more elaborate. Other mounted units and displays are included in the parade

The long, colorful skirts are usually of the color of the Hawaiian Islands the rider represents, such as purple being the color of Kaua’i, yellow representing O’ahu, green being the color of Moloka’i, pink for the lokelani, or native rose, of color of Red, or Ohia Lehua for the Big Island, Orange or the Yellow and Orange Air Plant for Lanai and White, orß

This year is the 15st anniversary of the Kings Parade. Pau riders wear special flowers and leis, along with special dresses flowing off the back of the horse. Horses also are decorated with stunning lei configjrationns and flowers intertwined into manes and tails. This parade is a sight to behold and shouldn’t be missed.

Resources: The Garden Island article by Dennis Fujimoto, and Wikipedia search for Pa’u Riders