The old-timers from the Plantation Days era would say, “No rain on da parade.”
The National Weather Service said in a Wednesday forecast that there is a 20 percent chance of rain with temperatures reaching nearly 86 degrees on Saturday when the Koloa Plantation Days historic parade and accompanying park celebration takes place at new hours.
The park celebration at the Anne Knudsen Park opens at 2 p.m., and runs through 8 p.m. with more than 70 craft vendors, a silent auction, food stations, keiki activities, and entertainment highlighted by Henry Kapono.
Billed as “Kauai’s largest handmade craft fair,” exhibits showcase the different ethnic groups that played significant roles in the Plantation Days era. Local entertainment groups joining Henry Kapono include the Tsunami Taiko young people ensemble, ukulele virtuoso Aldrinne Guerrero, and Cruz Control.
At 3 p.m., the historic parade showcasing Holomua, this year’s Koloa Plantation Days theme, starts its journey from the entrance of the Koloa Public and School Library parking lot to the Anne Knudsen Park where the celebration continues.
Mary Kuala, longtime Koloa community supporter, will be the parade’s grand marshal, accompanied by many of her family that grew during the days when Marty and her husband started and ran the Progressive Expressions surf shop.
Kuala and ‘ohana will be joined by a bevy of walking units, decorated vehicles, vintage cars and mounted units bearing dignitaries like Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami, and this year, even Miss Kauai Filipina, according to organizers.
Special traffic modifications that have not yet been released will be in effect around Koloa Town surrounding the Anne Knudsen Park area, and motorists and The Kauai Bus riders should be vigilant on these changes. Extra time to get to final destinations is encouraged.
Koloa Plantation Days, celebrating its 40th year, is made possible through the support of the Hawaii Tourism Authority through its Community Enrichment Program, Kilohana Collective, and the Kauai Economic Development Board, and the support of numerous community sponsors.
For more information, visit www.koloaplantationdays.com.
Traffic advisory issued for parade
KOLOA — The Historic Koloa Plantation Days Parade will take place on Saturday at 3 p.m. The parade will travel north on Poipu Road, turn right onto Koloa Road, then left onto Maluhia Road, and conclude at Anne Knudsen Park.
To ensure the safety of participants, the Kauai Police Department will close all streets along the parade route from 2 p.m. to approximately 5 p.m. or until the parade concludes.
Maluhia Road (from Kaloa Road to Ala Kinoiki) will remain closed after the parade concludes. KPD will staff the closure until 5 p.m., after which event security will maintain the closure until 8 p.m.
Road closures:
• Poipu Road (from Kiahuna Golf Course to Koloa Road)
• Koloa Road (from Ala Kalanikaumaka to Weliweli Road)
• Maluhia Road (from Koloa Road to Ala Kinoiki)
Officers will be posted at key intersections to manage traffic and ensure safety. Motorists should allow extra time to reach their destinations as traffic delays are expected.
The Kauai Bus Koloa Shuttle will not serve the Koloa Telephone Exchange, Koloa Elementary School, Kukuiula Store, Koloa Post Office, or Koloa Neighborhood Center during the parade.
For details on the parade, visit koloaplantationdays.com.
Source: The Garden Island