MEDIA RELEASE

The Kailua-Kona Community Parade Association has announced it will honor Aunty Elaine Watai as Grand Marshal of the Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 10.

Watai has long served the community, establishing the Kealakehe Neighborhood Watch and being instrumental in the Kealakehe Meet and Eat program offering food to hungry community members.

She’s worked to help those with substance abuse issues and most recently was one of the founders of a nonprofit kitchen and learning center at Kona International Marketplace which helps fund the “feeding the hungry” programs and teaches practical skills to some of the volunteers and young people.

The parade, presented by the Rotary Clubs and Lions Club of Kona, starts at 5 p.m. at Kekuaokalani Gym (by the Kona Community Pool near Old Airport). It will go along Kuakini Highway, down Palani, and along Alii Drive to Walua Road, past Coconut Grove Marketplace.

The theme for this year’s parade is Na Mele O Kalikimaka (The Songs of Christmas). Groups entering are encouraged to include holiday music and holiday lights in their entries.

The parade application is available now at: www.paradesinkona.com, at the West Hawaii Mayor’s office at the West Hawaii Civic Center, or by calling Stone Wolfsong at 990-4785 or emailing stoneinkona@gmail.com.

There is no entry fee for community groups, nonprofit organizations, informal or formal neighborhood groups, and individuals. The fees for business entries and political candidates help defray parade expenses including special duty police, advertising, and miscellaneous expenses.

The parade also needs sponsors — businesses, individuals, and any community organizations. There is more information about sponsorship at the parade website or by calling Barbara Kossow at 938-0806 or emailing hilandcare@aol.com.

The parade is an all-volunteer effort. The parade committee welcomes additional volunteers to help with parade marshaling, safety patrol, announcing at the nine announcing stations, judging, setup, and cleanup.

Parade committee members include Chairwoman Barbara Kossow plus Sherry Bracken, John Dawrs, Bernadette Haleamau, Darlene Hill, Cliff Kopp, Renee Kraft, Mitch Tam and Stone Wolfsong.

The deadline to enter is Dec. 1 or sooner if the maximum number of entries is received. Applications have already started coming in.