14th Annual Honolulu Festival
Grand Parade-Kalakaua Avenue Packed with Crowd
The 14th Annual Honolulu Festival Grand Parade started just in time at 4:30 from the corner of Saratoga Road and Kalakaua Avenue. It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon and the crowds had started sitting along side the curbs and the grassy areas in Waikiki before 3:30. All the performers were busy getting ready for their turn, excited and yet nervous. The last minute preparation of the floats from Japan such as the Daijayama, Ryujin and Hirosaki Neputa were being completed.Once the Parade began all the spectators began to cheer with huge smiles on their faces.
Our Mayor Mufi Hannemann took the lead and walked down Kalakaua Avenue waving to all the spectators. The procession included the military band and the beauty queens representing all Hawaii’s diverse cultures such as the Japanese, Chinese, Korean and Filipino. The Korean, Okinawan and Taiwan Associations followed. The Parade was colorfully represented by the many hula halau from Japan, the Korean, Filipino and Japanese dance and music troupes.
The Mikoshi section was adorable with the keiki carrying their little mikoshi. The crowd yelled “Wasshoi! Wasshoi!” along with the mikoshi carriers. And then came the larger ones such as Maui’s Kamehameha High School Mikoshi and Hilton Hotel’s Sumo Mikoshi. By then it was getting dark and the beautiful Hirosaki Neputa and Fire-Spitting Daijayama glowed beautifully as they were pulled down Kalakaua Avenue.
At Kapiolani Park, the last stop of the Grand Parade, one could see the performers and volunteers all congratulating each other and showing signs of relief and pride. Some of the performers were so moved by the cheers of the crowd and their sense of accomplishment that they were overcome with tears and emotion.
The 14th Annual Honolulu Festival Grand Parade was even blessed with a shower of rain (a sign of good luck in Hawaii) that quickly disappeared and freshened the air.
We are sure that the spectators thoroughly enjoyed this spectacular parade. It was a great opportunity for all to see, feel and experience the many cultures from throughout the Pacific Rim.
The 14th Annual Honolulu Festival Grand Parade started just in time at 4:30 from the corner of Saratoga Road and Kalakaua Avenue. It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon and the crowds had started sitting along side the curbs and the grassy areas in Waikiki before 3:30. All the performers were busy getting ready for their turn, excited and yet nervous. The last minute preparation of the floats from Japan such as the Daijayama, Ryujin and Hirosaki Neputa were being completed.Once the Parade began all the spectators began to cheer with huge smiles on their faces.
Our Mayor Mufi Hannemann took the lead and walked down Kalakaua Avenue waving to all the spectators. The procession included the military band and the beauty queens representing all Hawaii’s diverse cultures such as the Japanese, Chinese, Korean and Filipino. The Korean, Okinawan and Taiwan Associations followed. The Parade was colorfully represented by the many hula halau from Japan, the Korean, Filipino and Japanese dance and music troupes. 
The Mikoshi section was adorable with the keiki carrying their little mikoshi. The crowd yelled “Wasshoi! Wasshoi!” along with the mikoshi carriers. And then came the larger ones such as Maui’s Kamehameha High School Mikoshi and Hilton Hotel’s Sumo Mikoshi. By then it was getting dark and the beautiful Hirosaki Neputa and Fire-Spitting Daijayama glowed beautifully as they were pulled down Kalakaua Avenue.
The 14th Annual Honolulu Festival Grand Parade was even blessed with a shower of rain (a sign of good luck in Hawaii) that quickly disappeared and freshened the air. 
