Waikiki Holiday Parade 2019
McKinley’s marching band marched their first parade to spread cheer to the upcoming holiday season.
Marching bands played music in the shopping district of Waikiki Beach to spread holiday cheer.
December 13, 2019
Light glistens in the night sky as bands play music to the audience near the shopping district at Waikiki Beach. McKinley High School’s marching band performed in the Waikiki Holiday Parade with other organizations/schools from 7:00-8:30 p.m. on Nov. 19 to spread holiday cheer. Marching band members gathered first near Fort DeRussy Park. They marched on the road from Ft. DeRussy to Queen Kapiolani Park, which marked the end of the parade.
Ashyln Molly, the writer of the “Don’t miss the Waikiki Holiday Parade in Hawaii!” article, said the parade was held to honor Pearl Harbor survivors and American militaries. She said the parade starts on Friday after Thanksgiving to give locals a chance to connect.
“The parade started back in 1998, and today, it still has the same theme, which involves commemorating the survivors of the Pearl Harbor attacks,” she said. “When the parade was designed, the organizers had one goal; they wanted to increase awareness about that infamous day in history.”
Molly mentions Jake Peppers in her article. She said Peppers was the founder of the parade who organized the parade.
“He had no problems organizing the event because he had experience tackling operational tasks at the Hula Bowl,” Molly said. “Peppers had one mission when he developed ideas for the Waikiki Holiday Parade; he wanted to give everyone an opportunity to connect.”
According to Gateway Music Festivals & Tours website “About the Parade” section, it states the mission of the event was to educate students in U.S. history.
“It also ushers in the holiday season for locals,” they said. “The week of events and performances on the island, as well as months of preparation leading up to the trip, give students a unique learning experience that they will not soon forget.”
Amy Humble Hart, a social worker and jewelry designer, was one of the spectators who saw the parade. She said the parade was special to her.
“I think it’s a very special parade every year that kicks off the holiday season,” she said. “I’m partial to the Waialua High band being my favorite as I am the mother of a flute player, but I also loved the PCC (Polynesian Cultural Center) performance this year.”
Hart said she enjoyed hearing music being played by the marching bands and honoring the military.
“I love hearing all of our local bands, I love the honoring of the military, and I enjoy seeing and hearing the mainland bands,” she said.
