Floral Parade - 9:00am
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On Kamehameha day, June 11th,
traffic stops between Honomaka‘u Road (Kohala High & Elem School) and the Hospital Road from 9:00am - 11:00am for a colorful floral parade. Our parade include pa‘u riders, honorees, and floats. This year’s 2025 honorees Grand Marshall - Kamehameha Descendants - This year’s 2025 Pa‘u Unit Pa‘u Queen - Hawai‘i - Maui - Kaho‘olawe - Moloka‘i - Lana‘i - O‘ahu - Kaua‘i - Ni‘ihau - 
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The Pa‘u Traditions
Since early in the century Pa‘u riders have brought a uniquely Hawaiian grace and beauty to Kamehameha Day parades, with a Pa‘u Queen in regal colors leading the way. Behind her rides the princesses representing each island. Wearing the appropriate colors and flowers known to the islands they represent. They are accompanied by a Pa‘u unit including pages, attendants, outriders and a pooper scooper unit. Each unit makes their way to the statue where they present a lei as their ho’okupu to the King. The parade will then make their way to Kamehameha Park, the site of our Ho‘olaule‘a.
Well before dawn on Kamehameha Day, dedicated women will gather to make their final preparations as pa‘u riders in the floral parade. Each will be wrapped in 12 yards of brightly-colored material, secured with a kūkui nut, to create the flowing culotte style pa‘u skirt that was designed in the 19th century to allow a woman to ride astride her house with modesty and formal dignity.
Since they frequently rode in mud, through streams, and over rough lava fields. Riding sidesaddle made no sense to Hawai‘i horsewomen. Pa‘u skirts could be worn for dress-up or everyday chores and the formal version continues to be displayed on special occasions today.
Before parade day, the pa‘u riders practice with their horses, prepare costumes, gather flowers, and spend a full week creating elaborate neck lei for each horse along with fresh lei from island- appropriate flowers for all riders in their equestrian unit. In North Kohala, Pa‘u riders assemble their riding units, outfits, and lei without corporate support. Like sharing recipes, through the years Kohala residents with experience have passed on their skills at making the various lei and costume pieces and maneuvering the horses in a crowd.
Well before dawn on Kamehameha Day, dedicated women will gather to make their final preparations as pa‘u riders in the floral parade. Each will be wrapped in 12 yards of brightly-colored material, secured with a kūkui nut, to create the flowing culotte style pa‘u skirt that was designed in the 19th century to allow a woman to ride astride her house with modesty and formal dignity.
Since they frequently rode in mud, through streams, and over rough lava fields. Riding sidesaddle made no sense to Hawai‘i horsewomen. Pa‘u skirts could be worn for dress-up or everyday chores and the formal version continues to be displayed on special occasions today.
Before parade day, the pa‘u riders practice with their horses, prepare costumes, gather flowers, and spend a full week creating elaborate neck lei for each horse along with fresh lei from island- appropriate flowers for all riders in their equestrian unit. In North Kohala, Pa‘u riders assemble their riding units, outfits, and lei without corporate support. Like sharing recipes, through the years Kohala residents with experience have passed on their skills at making the various lei and costume pieces and maneuvering the horses in a crowd.
Seeing it all
For best viewing arrive by 7:00am and leave your car in Kamehameha Park, the site of the Ho‘olaule‘a. From the park, it’s a short walk to the statue and parade viewing .
The traffic control and security crew for 2024 includes Ali‘i of Hawaii Statewide Motorcycle Club, our local law enforcement and many volunteers from our Kohala community.
