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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 4:59 p.m., Saturday, June 7, 2008

PARADE
Kamehameha parade draws thousands in Honolulu

Advertiser Staff

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Paulette Kahalepuna, the 2008 May Day queen, waves to the crowd at the 92nd annual King Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade this morning.

REBECCA BREYER | The Honolulu Advertiser

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From Downtown Honolulu to Waikiki, thousands lined up under sunny skies for the 92nd King Kamehameha Day Celebration Parade today.

For many parade-watchers it was a chance to gather under sunny skies and cheer on a one-of-a-kind event: the second oldest parade in America, and the only one that celebrates a king.

"I've been to many Kamehameha Day Parades," said Chizumi Gilbert, who brought along her American cocker Spaniel, Maro, a joyful, tail-wiggling, unofficial greeter to anyone passing by.

At 9:30 a.m. the annual parade began from its traditional starting point at

Richards and King Streets, and continued to Punchbowl Street, Ala Moana

Boulevard, and along Kalakaua Avenue, ending at Kapi'olani Park.

The parade featured marching bands, floats, pa'u riders and

thousands of marchers.

The celebration continued through the afternoon at Kapi'olani Park with

entertainment, food booths, arts, crafts demonstrations, speakers, displays

of Polynesia, and parade awards presentations.