Christmas canoes and bows of holly: Kailua Kalikimaka Lighted Boat Parade seeks entries

Dust off those Christmas lights, don your deck with bows of holly and celebrate the season on the sea as part of a Kailua Village Kalikimaka tradition.

The seventh annual Kailua Kalikimaka Lighted Boat Parade returns Dec. 11 to Kailua Bay. The parade starts at 6 p.m., following the Kokua Kailua monthly stroll and holiday concert. The Kailua Village Business Improvement District invites sailboats, powerboats, canoes and kayaks to be a part of the festive holiday celebration.

Registered boats and canoes line up near Kailua Pier and wind their way around Kailua Bay. Spectators can view the parade of lighted boats from anywhere in the village, including the seawall.

The parade is free to enter and all entries will be eligible for cash prizes. Judges will be standing on Kailua Pier, with a few scouts along the coast. Each boat will be scored on the following categories:

• Boat theme: What is the theme and how well it’s represented on the entire boat.
• Boat lights: How well the boat is lit up.
• Special effects: Blinking lights, moving holiday figures, etc.
• Crew participation: Holiday outfits supporting the boat theme.
• Overall appearance.

The first-place winner for best decorated boat will receive $1,000. The boat that places second will receive $400, with the third-place winner taking home $300. Fourth-place will win $200, and the fifth-place boat will get $100.

Cash prizes for the best decorated canoe are $200 for first place, $100 for second and $50 for third place.

To register to be part of the parade, email HKVevents@gmail.com or call 808-936-9202. Entries are due by Dec. 5.