King Kamehameha Day Parade rides through Kona

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Halua Jula Maunalei entertains the crowd Saturday at the Kona King Kamehameha Day Parade. Laura Ruminski/West Hawaii Today
Music entertains the crowd from a float at the King Kamehameha Day Parade Saturday in Kona.. Laura Ruminski/West Hawaii Today
Miss Kona Coffee and Miss Aloha Hawaii ride in the King Kamehameha Parade Saturday in Kona. Laura Ruminski/West Hawaii Today
The Royal Order of Kamehameha march at the King Kamehameha Day Parade Saturday in Kona. Laura Ruminski/West Hawaii Today
The island of Molokai is represented at the King Kamehameha Day Parade Saturday in Kona. Laura Ruminski/West Hawaii Today
The Daughters of Hawaii ride Saturday in the 2023 King Kamehameha Day Parade. Laura Ruminski/West Hawaii Today
Mayor Mitch Roth and his wife ride in the King Kamehameha Day Parade Saturday in Kona. Laura Ruminski/West Hawaii Today
The Grand Marshal Lale Kam's carriage Saturday in the 2023 Kona King Kamehameha Day Parade. Laura Ruminski/West Hawaii Today
The Daughters of Hawaii ride Saturday in the 2023 Kona King Kamehameha Day Parade. Laura Ruminski/West Hawaii Today
The Oahu Pa‘u Princess rides Saturday in the 2023 King Kamehameha Day Parade. Laura Ruminski/West Hawaii Today
The King and his court start the King Kamehameha Day Parade Saturday in Kona. Laura Ruminski/West Hawaii Today
The Maui Pa‘u Princess rides Saturday in the 2023 King Kamehameha Day Parade. Laura Ruminski/West Hawaii Today
The Hawaii Island Pa‘u Princess rides Saturday in the 2023 King Kamehameha Day Parade. Laura Ruminski/West Hawaii Today
The King and his court start the King Kamehameha Day Parade Saturday in Kona. Laura Ruminski/West Hawaii Today
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Kona loves a parade, and on Saturday spectators were treated to a plethora of floral arrangements adorning horses and their riders along with other participants during the annual King Kamehameha Day Parade.

The highlight of the parade, the pa‘u riders on horseback, showcased the flora and colors of the eight Hawaiian Islands.

The island units were led by the Pa‘u Queen and her equestrian unit.

Parade participants included at least 100 riders on horseback, as well as decorated floats, horse-drawn carriages, the county band, equestrian units and hula halau.

Others included the Royal Court, Daughters of Hawaii and the Royal Order of Kamehameha.

This year’s Grand Marshal was Lale Kam, a longtime Daughter of Hawaii revered for her talent as a Hawaiian musician, dancer and kumu.

Following the parade, festivities continued at Hulihe‘e Palace in Historic Kailua Village. The Hawaiian music and art festival featured food, dozens of vendors, traditional-practitioner demonstrations and plenty of entertainment.