Deadline Nov. 1 For 50th Kaneohe Parade

Kaneohe Christmas Parade chairwoman Ku’ulei Olsen Richardson is seeking final entries for the march, which will begin at 9 a.m. Dec. 1, moving along Kamehameha Highway from Windward Mall to Castle High School.

“It will be the parade’s 50th anniversary,” she said last week, “and we have 25 units already.” Richardson added that she expects 40 small and large floats, vehicles and marching units and as many at 5,000 participants at final count.

This year’s theme is “Hawaii Five-0,” and grand marshals Art Machado (long-time parade coordinator) and MidWeek regional editor Carol Chang will lead the way, followed by at least five high school bands, the Royal Hawaiian Band, Marine Forces Pacific Band, Shriners Band, two tae kwon centers, JROTC units, veterans, halaus, Boy and Girl Scout troops, schools, elders, halaus, churches, politicians and more.

Santa’s elves will pass out 1,500 pounds of candy along the route, courtesy of Yamashiro Building Supply.

Entry forms are due Nov. 1 ($45 for nonprofits, $65 for commercial) and are available at American Savings Bank at Windward City Shopping Center, L & M Consultants at Kaneohe Atrium and Rich Pedrina’s hula studio at Windward Mall (Sears wing, second floor). A late fee will be assessed after that date.

A mandatory meeting for all marchers is Nov. 13.

Parade T-shirts, a key fundraiser, go on sale Nov. 1 at Kaneohe Bakery, Koolau Pets and at all Kaneohe banks, priced from $9 to $16. Proceeds help with parade costs, which have gone up this year. According to Richardson, the city’s formerly free service of traffic control will now cost $2,710.

Monetary gifts also are welcome to Kaneohe Christmas Parade, P.O. Box 412, Kailua HI 96734. The parade is applying for nonprofit designation.

For details, call 348-2749.