Na Kamehameha Commemorative Pa‘u Parade organizers seek entries for virtual event

Na Kamehameha Commemorative Pa‘u Parade and Ho‘olaule‘a, which typically draws a procession of decorated horses and riders to Front Street in Lahaina, will be held virtually this year, organizers announced Monday.

Each parade entry will be presented virtually during a prerecorded ceremony that will be released at 10 a.m. June 19.

“I think about how we enjoy the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City in the comforts of our own homes on Maui,” said Daryl Fujiwara, parade coordinator for the last 11 years. “While we are definitely not there in person, we are able to see each parade entry march, ride, perform and receive commentary of who is on screen. This is our vision for our 2021 virtual parade.”

Last year’s parade was canceled because of the COVID19 pandemic.

Organizers are now seeking entries for this year’s event. All entries will be screened, and if approved, a date and time will be scheduled for a film crew to visit the participants’ organization or business to record their parade entry and conduct interviews. Recording dates are April 29, April 30 and May 1, and recording times can range from 20 minutes to one hour depending on lighting, sound and setup.

Entries will be produced as 30-second to five-minute-plus clips.

While the parade will be a “fun-filled opportunity” for participants to share their talents, the purpose is “to honor our ali‘i nui, Kamehameha I and his lineage,” organizers said.

To be a part of the parade, applicants must:

≤ Fill out the parade entry application at forms.gle/VYvJPVr7kjNVkUyJ6.

≤ Provide their own music and sound system for performances.

≤ Upload a sketch of a float or decorated vehicle for prior approval.

≤ Avoid flipping, tossing or stunts of any kind; no hands should ever touch the ground.

The deadline to apply is 4:30 p.m. April 16.

Responses on participation approval will come by April 17.

The King Kamehameha Day holiday is June 11.