The Beauty of North Kohala
Floral Parade
Watch traditional Hawaiian Pa'u riders
Kaleo Bertelmann, Maui escort 2011
On Kamehameha Day, June 11th, traffic stops between Hawi and Kapa'au at 9 a.m. for a colorful floral parade. The parade is led by a Grand Marshal, followed by the Descendant of Kamehameha, Pa'u Queen, Aloha Ambassador, floral floats, and elegant Pa'u riders.
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 ride princesses for each island, wearing appropriate colors and flowers, accompanied by a Pa'u unit including pages, attendants, outriders, and a pooper-scooper unit.
The parade route from Hawi to Kapa'au takes riders down Akoni Pule Highway to the statue to offer ho'okupu (a ceremonial gift as a sign of honor and respect) to King Kamehameha I, then to Kamehameha Park.
This year's parade included Paso Finos horses, floats from the Kohala Lions Club, the Hawai'i Community Federal Credit Union, Kohala National Guard alumni, Big Island EcoAdventures and Luke's Place, ATV Outfitters Hawaii and Kohala Ditch Adventures, Hawaii Forest and Trail and Kohala Zipline and the North Kohala Community Resource Center.
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 ride princesses for each island, wearing appropriate colors and flowers, accompanied by a Pa'u unit including pages, attendants, outriders, and a pooper-scooper unit.
The parade route from Hawi to Kapa'au takes riders down Akoni Pule Highway to the statue to offer ho'okupu (a ceremonial gift as a sign of honor and respect) to King Kamehameha I, then to Kamehameha Park.
This year's parade included Paso Finos horses, floats from the Kohala Lions Club, the Hawai'i Community Federal Credit Union, Kohala National Guard alumni, Big Island EcoAdventures and Luke's Place, ATV Outfitters Hawaii and Kohala Ditch Adventures, Hawaii Forest and Trail and Kohala Zipline and the North Kohala Community Resource Center.
The Pa'u tradition
Hualalai Carvalho, Princess of Oahu 2011
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 kukui nut, to create the flowing, culottes-style Pa'u skirt that was designed in the 19th century to allow a woman to ride astride her horse 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. Life sharing beloved secret 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.
Pa'u princesses for 2012 are: Kenneylynn Badua; Shay Van-Zandt; Puanani Tayan; Lauren Holland; Maile Lincoln-Carvalho; Tracie Akana; and Berchelle Munroe.
Kamehameha Day in North Kohala: All-day festivities, all events free, always on June 11th.
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. Life sharing beloved secret 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.
Pa'u princesses for 2012 are: Kenneylynn Badua; Shay Van-Zandt; Puanani Tayan; Lauren Holland; Maile Lincoln-Carvalho; Tracie Akana; and Berchelle Munroe.
Kamehameha Day in North Kohala: All-day festivities, all events free, always on June 11th.
