The Democrats were there at Magic Island, some of them carrying signs for various presidential candidates, some of them outfitted simply as members of the Hawai'i party.

So were the Republicans.

"This is our fifth parade, so we're a fixture," said state Rep. Galen Fox, indicating the rank and file of marchers carrying small placards with trumpeting elephants and various emblematic words, such as "unity," "peace," "justice" and "freedom."

"It's the first time we've been behind a band, though, and it's great."

The King parade typically draws, as state Rep. Marilyn Lee, D-38th District (Mililani, Mililani-Mauka), pointed out, "people with causes," and among the 80 units that signed on to participate was a painted pickup truck representing Refuse & Resist Hawai'i and other social-justice groups, painted with slogans such as "Stop Attacks on Immigrants."

At a point between Magic Island and Ala Moana, the University of Hawai'i Professional Assembly waited to take their place in line."

But this is a parade, so not all of it unfurled with a serious demeanor. Alongside the signs decrying militarization in Hawai'i and depicting the current president in the guise of Hitler was the van containing the blindingly spangled costumes of the dance troupe Beledi Association of Hawaii, with a marching presentation of "A Taste of Afro-Brazil."

"I go to Brazil every year and get these costumes," said its director, Mercedes Foster, as she scurried about her dancers. "Here, I don't even know these girls, and they're marching with me."

She waved at 13-year-old Tory Domingo, and Kanani Piho, 12, who were wearing glittering headdresses and skirts with bright feather boas. A friend's mother helps the troupe with sewing turned up that morning to see if they could assist, and suddenly the teens, novices in the world of Brazilian dance, were in the parade lineup.

"Lipstick! I need red lipstick!" Foster shouted, and then gave the girls a comforting hug.

Two other teens who were more enthused by the notion of lipstick were Ivana Williams, the 15-year-old Miss Hawaii Teen America, and Teresa Bringas, Miss United Nation. Both were decked out in tiaras and perched atop the back seat of the convertible, their mothers in the front seat.

But glamour has its limits. As the queens smiled and waved, the onlookers couldn't see that the girls had kicked off the requisite spike heels, which lay on the car seat.