Lions Honoring Miano In Parade On Saturday

Santa Claus makes one of his first seasonal appearances Saturday in the Hawaii Kai Holiday Parade, coordinated by the Hawaii Kai Lions Club and Koko Marina Center.

Grand marshal is Kaiser football coach and alumnus Rich Miano, who will “reign over” more than 1,000 marchers, 35 decorated floats, four bands, Mayor Peter Carlisle, seven beauty pageant queens, schools, churches, scouts, businesses, classic cars and more.

The parade starts at 10 a.m. at Kamiloiki Community Park and travels the 1.5-mile route down Lunalilo Home Road to Koko Marina Center, where the fun continues with activities, games and Santa’s arrival via speedboat, courtesy of Hawaii Water Sports Center.

“The joy this parade brings to the community is the very reason why we take the time, money and effort to put it on,” said Lion and parade coordinator Ken Nishi-bun, “and why it’s become such an anticipated and cherished community tradition, rain or shine, since 1969.”

The Lions and Kaiser High’s Leo Club will hand out sweets to the crowd, and everyone is invited to bring a new, unwrapped toy for the Toys for Tots drive.

For more information, call 754-6605.