Annual Kailua parade celebrates America
20140704-8177 CTY KAILUA PARADE The 68th Annual Kailua Independence Day Parade winds itself down Kainalu Drive (from Palapu St. to Kailua Intermediate School). There were about 40 floats, four marching bands, colorful patriotic characters, advocacy groups, political candidates, elected officials and more. This is Darrell Large dressed up as Uncle Sam walking with his two granddaughters, Julia (8) and Sarah Burdette (10) and leading the parade. PHOTO BY DENNIS ODA. JULY 4, 2014.
More than 200 marchers, 40 vehicles 40 floats, four bands and numerous politicians participated in an election year Kailua Fourth of July parade Friday morning.
As the eye could see along the mile-long stretch of Kainalu Drive between Omao Street and Kailua Intermediate School, families, mostly dressed in red, white and blue, waved American flags as the 68th annual Kailua Independence Day Parade passed by.
The theme of the event was “We Salute Kailua.”
“I think it’s great. It shows American spirit,” said Sgt. Maj. Andrew Cece, 46, who marched with about 20 other members of Kapolei High School’s Marine junior ROTC, military training program.
Families cheered and yelled “thank you” when members of the U.S. armed forces walked by. The Coast Guard Auxillary, Korean War Veteran Association and Marine Corps. League Aloha Detatchment 363 were some of the groups that marched.
Luis Alejandro Parker, 65, and Nalu Perez, 67, also walked in the parade with the Vietnam Veterans Chapter 858. Parker said he has marched in the parade every year since 2000, when the chapter was formed.
“Now we feel really proud to be American,” he said.
