Hawaii Island will “Celebrate Service” with the return of the annual Veterans Day parade next weekend.
The community is welcomed to the fun-filled parade for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic to celebrate veterans and their service to the country at 10 a.m. on Saturday.
“We are so excited to bring the parade back,” said retired Col. Deb Lewis. “Our veterans are often isolated, and with many Korean War veterans getting much older, this is our chance to truly honor them.”
Lewis serves as the chair of the Hawaii Island Veterans Day Parade and is inviting veterans, nonprofits, businesses, community groups and individuals to participate in the parade.
“What we’ve learned from COVID-19 is that there is always going to be an enemy, whether it’s a disease or war,” Lewis said. “It’s a time where many of us know how important relationships are to get us through the tough times.”
Those who register for the parade and turn in a description of their organization or business will be announced during the event.
“We have all these organizations, but many don’t know what they do. The parade is a chance to get to know them better,” Lewis said. “We organize the parade in ways that will benefit community all year. The parade is about relationships, learning about each other, connecting with people and getting things done.”
The parade will be similar to past years with the “Aloha Thunder” motorcycle contingent leading off the parade to hand out flags and salute veterans at the end of the route.
The Hilo High, Waiakea High and Keaau High School marching bands will participate, along with the Hawaii County Band. Taishoji Taiko and the Rainbow Hummers Kazoo band also will return to the parade.
With the help from an individual, six veterans will be driving in the parade with six classic cars.
All of the participants will walk or drive underneath Hawaiian Electric’s large American flag to finish the parade.
The parade route will begin at Piopio Street, then turn left on Pauahi Street, right on Kilauea Avenue, continuing onto Keawe Street, turning right on Waianuenue Avenue and right on Kamehameha Ave, ending at the King Kamehameha statue.
There will be tents with easy access available along Kamehameha Avenue, with parking at the soccer fields.
The Grand Marshal of the parade this year is the organization America’s Gold Star Families, which supports families who have experienced a military loss through active duty service.
The Community Parade Marshal is the Boys &Girls Club of the Big Island and The Business Parade Marshal is the The Home Depot.
Rising costs and more safety requirements have caused more strain on funds for the parade, but Lewis and other organizers are working to make sure the parade is as good as it can be for the veterans and their families.
“The enthusiasm for the parade is there; the hardest part has been planning. The costs have gone up since our last parade, and we live on donations,” Lewis said. “We’re OK with spending the money, because we feel how important it is for our community to have something to look forward too.”
Those interested in walking in the parade can register at HiVetParade.org.
Those interested in donating or learning more can email support@hivet.org.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com.