Sure I have watched plenty of parades, but I finally go to be in one. This is the Kalani float, one of about 30.
We probably won first prize because of this Hula team. That is Tiki in the blue shirt: Kalani's general manager, hula expert and veteran of eleven Burning Man festivals...now that is a burner! They had a small boom box playing Hula and some Christmas Reggae, while the rest of us threw candy canes to the children.
Being Pahoa, there were no strict rules as to what constituted a float.
As the Big Island is the major agricultural part of Hawaii, there are lots of horses and modern day cowboys and their families.
The somewhat derisive tem "Punatic" was coined by local Hawaiians for haoles that were on government mental illness disability checks and did their thing living in tents in the jungle. Now it refers to the whole wacky and harmless hippie scene here.
Toni, 93, is the matriarch of Kalani and has been here since the beginning 38 years ago.
The following are shots taken from the float of the spectators, as we started from the outskirts of town and finished up in downtown Pahoa.
Who knew Santa lived in Hawaii and drove a hybrid instead of a sleigh?
Everyone loves a parade.
The crowds begin to build as we approach town. Pahoa has a ramshackle Old West kind of feel.
The panel of judges check us out.
Local refreshments were available.
Who knew Elvis lived in Puna and probably drives a hybrid as well?
The parade crew celebrates our victory back at the Kalani dining lanai.
On another trip, I went into Hilo with Lilly, fellow Thai/Indian speciality chef that you have met on other adventures, to try out the Hawaiian dish poke: based on raw ahi, chili oil and lime juice, served with local blue potato chips. We were hanging out at some tidal pools on the Hilo Bay, waiting for the restaurant to open, when along came a curious visitor. He was one of about a half dozen.
Thanks for stopping by. Mele Kalikimaka people.
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