PAHALA — In Hilo and Puna it was a dreary and rainy Sunday, but in Pahala, the sun shone splendidly as the Ka‘u community celebrated its annual Christmas parade.
PAHALA — In Hilo and Puna it was a dreary and rainy Sunday, but in Pahala, the sun shone splendidly as the Ka‘u community celebrated its annual Christmas parade.
Hundreds lined the streets of the usually sleepy former sugar town that’s now the center of Ka‘u’s coffee belt to see their friends, neighbors, costumed characters — and, of course, Santa.
The community was well represented with teen and keiki beauty pageant winners, school and church groups and businesses.
Tom and Sharon Shining came from Discovery Harbor, about 25 minutes away. They and some friends staked out a shady spot on Kamani Street just mauka of Ka‘u Hospital and set up their resin patio chairs well ahead of time.
“They turn around in the parking lot at the hospital, so we get to see everyone twice,” Tom said.
The Shinings said they’ve witnessed the past five or six Pahala parades and especially enjoy seeing the keiki having a good time.
“They all sit on the (flatbed) and they’re singing and playing and it’s great, all the little kids,” Sharon Shining said.
A short time later, a flatbed truck sporting Ka‘u Coffee Mill banners made its way by the spectators, with entertainer Keoki Kahumoku playing ukulele and leading a sizable group of folks, mostly keiki, singing “Jingle Bell Rock.” Not to be outdone, members of Pahala Holy Rosary Catholic Church sang “Feliz Navidad.”
Julia Neal, owner of Pahala Plantation Cottages & Store, said the parade is an expression of Pahala’s pride in its community.
“The parade goes to the people,” she said. “Families stand in front of their homes and wait for Santa Claus and all these community groups to come by. It takes hours for it to wind all through the little streets in Pahala, up and down the hill.”
Santa’s hearty ho-ho-hos were amplified by loudspeaker while his helpers tossed generous handfuls of candy to keiki of all ages. A strong breeze kept Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Curious George from sweating through their costumes — uh, fur — and also prevented Frosty the Snowman from melting under the Hawaiian sun.
In addition, there was an after-party — make that a post-parade celebration — at the Pahala Holy Rosary Catholic Church.
Pahala resident Ernest Oleyte sat on the tailgate of a pickup truck and held his 8-month-old son, Branson Lee, who seemed to be taking it all in.
“It’s good for the kids,” Oleyte said. “Everybody likes to go get candy and see Santa Claus.”
The Lorenzos are another tight-knit Pahala family who enjoyed the parade together.
“It’s good. We enjoy it,” said Frank Lorenzo. “The candy, the kids get fun, all that kind of stuff. It’s nice the community gets something like this.
Mahina Lorenzo noted the Pahala parade’s history.
“I believe it’s been, like 35 or 36 years they’ve been doing ‘em, so it’s a tradition,” she said.
Her sentiments were echoed by her mother-in-law, Leonora Lorenzo.
“This is the biggest treat for our community right now, you know,” she said. “People come from as far as Ocean View and Volcano to join in.”
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.