Parade retains appeal to crowd

By Karen Blakeman
Advertiser staff writer

Members of the Inaho Adult Mikoshi Yumotosuikokai carried their float down Kalakaua Avenue last night in the annual Honolulu Festival parade, which draws thousands of residents and visitors to Waikiki. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

"I'm waiting for the big lantern at the end," the 12-year-old said.

Kayumi Vanek, 10, was intoxicated by a leafy green dragon that breathed smoke from the back of a flatbed truck.

Ten-year-old Erica Utu liked the lanterns, the dragon and the two-ton taiko drum. But overall she preferred an old O'ahu standby: the Honolulu fire and police bagpipers.

"They're cool," she said.

The children were among the thousands who crammed Waikiki's sidewalks. They were among the hundreds vying for a seat along the curb at Kalakaua Avenue and Saratoga Road, official starting point of the parade.

The world's largest taiko drum, in Hawai'i for the first time for this year's Honolulu Festival, made its appearance down Kalakaua Avenue yesterday at the Honolulu Festival Grand Parade. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

The Honolulu Festival promotes cooperation and harmony between the people of Hawai'i and those from lands across the Pacific. It grows in popularity every year.

Despite an economic downturn, fears of terrorism and a war in Afghanistan, 3,800 participants from 20 Japanese prefectures flew in for this year's event.

"Please share our energy," a group leader said. The young dancers in face paint, looking capable of flight as they skipped and spun down Kalakaua, had plenty to spare.

Nearly half the parade-watchers followed the event to Kapi'olani park, where the fun continued. But not all the children got to go.

"It's a school night," Max said. He shrugged a little, then packed up to go home.

Correction: The Uneme Taiko, a two-ton drum, is in Hawai'i for the first time for this year's Honolulu Festival. A photo caption in a previous version of this story was incorrect.