Makahiki is Theme for Pāhoa Holiday Parade

Savio Realty will hold a drawing for this colorful playhouse. Photo credit: Savio Realty

Makahiki is the theme for the 26th Annual Pāhoa Holiday Parade on Saturday, Dec. 3.

“We wanted to highlight the Hawaiian season of focusing on the bounty of the land,” said Mainstreet Pāhoa Association holiday parade committee Chairman Henry Brazil.

Parade organizers hope entrants offer their interpretations of Makahiki, emphasizing offerings to ali‘i, feasting and sports, as the Hawaiians of the past did during this four-month period in honor of the god Lono and the new year.

“We look forward to seeing the creativity of Puna, with the Makahiki theme,” Brazil said.

This year’s grand marshal is Nancy Kramer, an accountant in Pahoa and 10-year resident of Puna.

Nancy is being honored for her community spirit, having served as treasurer for the Pāhoa Booster Club and Mainstreet Pāhoa Association, founded the Big Island Lion’s Foundation, and served as zone chair for East Hawai‘i Lions and auditor for Hawai‘i Lions District 50.

“It’s people like Nancy, who volunteer countless hours to our community, that make Puna such a great place to live,” Brazil said.

For the Pāhoa parade, motorists should note that Old Government Road, the main street through the town of Pāhoa, will be temporarily closed from 9 to 11:30 a.m.

The road will be closed from Apa‘a Street (Rubbish Dump Road) to Ka‘ohe Homestead Road (the intersection leading to the Pāhoa High and Intermediate School).

Parade entrants should line up on Apa‘a Street. The parade starts at 9:30 a.m.

Following the parade, Pāhoa High and Intermediate School students will host a ho‘olaule‘a.

Savio Realty in Pāhoa Village will be the setting for free photos with Santa Claus, and Savio realtors will hold a drawing at 1 p.m., giving away a Dr. Seuss-like playhouse.

For more information about the Pāhoa Holiday Parade, contact Brazil at (808) 785-5395.

CHRISTMAS EVENTS

Waikoloa Village Christmas Parade & Keiki Festival Dec. 10
Holiday Card to Hilo: Christmas Around the World Dec. 11
West Hawaii Theatre Presents Nutcracker Dec. 20–22
NORAD Set to Track Santa’s Flight Through Dec. 25
Magic of the Season Open House in Hilo Dec. 12–16