- The theme of Saturday’s annual Aloha Festivals floral parade is "Moana Nui Akea," or "The Great Vast Ocean."
It coincides with the 40th anniversary of the Polynesian Voyaging Society and the Hokule‘a.
Hanahau‘oli School is also honoring the Polynesian Voyaging Society at its Children’s Fair
Nov. 16 when it celebrates Hokule‘a’s worldwide journey with the theme “Voyaging Together: Hoe a Mau.” Navigator Nainoa Thompson, his wife, KHON anchorwoman Kathy Muneno, and Polynesian Voyaging Society volunteer Jenna Ishii will take part.
There will be informative displays, pony rides, a climbing wall, games and other keiki activities, including crafting miniature canoes and making peace flags the double-hulled sailing canoe will fly on its journey. Also new this year is the "ARTy pARTy" booth, where local artists, including Cade Roster, Michael Cannon, Ryan Higa, Will Caron, Duncan Dempster and others will embellish/paint on hats.
There will be food from Sansei served up by chef D.K. Kodama and from Li’l Soul chef Sean Priester. Jerry Lee‘s Waiola Shave Ice will cool things off, and Pei Tung Wu‘s mochi waffles will provide another sweet option. The fair’s country store and farmers market will offer homemade foodstuffs, logo items, a bake sale and fresh produce. The fair runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free parking will be available nearby at Roosevelt High, with a courtesy shuttle.
For more information, call Hanahau‘oli at 949-6461 or go to www.hanahauoli.org/hui/childrens-fair …
SATURDAY’S FLORAL parade will have state Sen. Clayton Hee on horseback as the pa‘u marshal. In keeping with the paniolo theme of the mounted unit, Hee, his five escorts, including wife Lynne Waters, and a banner holder will be wearing palaka-print vests in different colors with matching horse blankets. It should be quite colorful. Lynne says she has been "madly sewing" the blankets on weekends. "My Bernina sewing machine has been smokin’," she says …
ACTRESS Edie Falco gave a tearful, moving tribute to actor James Gandofini during Sunday night’s Emmy Awards show.
She said that Gandolfini — "The Man" — had a great heart and was always there to help family and friends when they were in trouble or in need.
Falco portrayed the wife of Gandolfini’s character, Tony Soprano, on the hit HBO series "The Sopranos." Gandolfini died June 19. His widow is Hawaii-born Deborah Lin …
CONDOLENCES go out to the family of former East-West Center President Victor Hao Li, 72, who died Sept. 18, in Oakland, Calif. Li’s survivors include his wife, former Star-Bulletin Publisher Arlene Lum, and sons, Gregory, Jeffery and Justin …
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Ben Wood, who sold newspapers on Honolulu streets in World War II, writes of people, places and things. Email him at bwood@staradvertiser.com.
