The observance of the 150th anniversary of the founding of Koloa Plantation in 1985 was a many-faceted celebration made possible by businesses, non-profit organizations, community groups, and individuals. The celebration was from Saturday, July 20, to Saturday, July 27, when the finale for the celebration was held, starting with the parade at 10 AM from Koloa School to First Hawaiian Bank, to an all-day gathering at the Knudsen Estate land in the center of Koloa Town between Maluhia Road and Koloa Post Office, where cultural, ethnic, and non-profit organization booths were set up with the help of Kaua`i County through Mayor Kunimura’s Office, and where the evening luau was held. Karl H. Y. Lo Photos.
The Parade:
A Lion Dance at Koloa Main Street.
Portuguese walking unit.
David Iha, who grew up in Koloa, at the head of the Okinawan walking unit.
Close-up of the Okinawan walking unit.
“The Filipinos and the Koloa Experience, 1910 – 1985” banner at the head of the Filipino walking unit.
Two Filipino drummers.
Filipinos in a variety of Filipino attires.
Filipino float.
Koloa Seniors.
Kekaha Plantation float.
Horse riders, convertibles, and floats in the parade on Koloa Main Street.
Multi-racial float.
The parade crowd on Main Street.
All-day Gathering in the Center of Town:
Program after the parade in the center of Koloa Town.
Susan Remoaldo of Omao in front of the Kauai Portuguese Society Booth.
Vicente Bargayo and Alfredo Casticimo in front of the Filipino Booth. Mildred Curtis (nee Cuaresma) in the background.
Left to right: Bartolome Baclig, Alejandro V. Rajel (1908? – 1997), and an unidentified friend at the gathering after the parade.
Perla Castro & Maxine Pascual of Hanama`ulu, & an unidentified friend visit with Koloa folks at the Filipino Booth after the parade.
Alipia Pascua in front of St. Raphael’s Filipino Catholic Club Booth.
Alipia Ratonel Pascua (1900 – 2001) with Estrella Leones Baclig (1919 – 1992).
Rose Asuncion Liberato, Koloa; Sally Pascual Rasay, Hanamaulu; and Catherine Pascual Lo, Kukuiula, pose for a photo op near the Filipino Booth after the parade.
Photo op of Koloa friends at the the Filipino Booth after the parade.
Hawaii Sugar Industry Sesquicentennial Celebration:
3:00 – 3:30 — CONCERT: Royal Hawaiian Band, Aaron David Mahi, Bandmaster
3:30 — COMMEMORATION PROGRAM
Master of Ceremonies: Robert H. Hughes, President, Hawaiian Sugar Planters’ Association
WELCOME: The Honorable Tony Kunimura, Mayor of Kauai
BLESSING: The Reverend Stanley Kobayashi, Koloa Missionary Church
REMARKS: The Honorable Daniel K. Akaka, U. S. House of Representatives
Congressman Daniel K. Akaka at the podium.
Daniel K. Akaka, Hawaii`s Representstive in the U. S. Congress, at the podium.
REMARKS: The Honorable George Ariyoshi, Governor of the State of Hawaii.
George Ariyoshi, Governor of Hawai`i, at the podium.
PRINCIPAL ADDRESS: “Sugarcane — Hawaii’s Historical Commitment” — J. W. A. Buyers, Chairman, HSPA
CLOSING REMARKS: Robert H. Hughes
POST CEREMONY CONCERT: Royal Hawaiian Band
The crowd at the commemoration. Cement structure in the background is the Koloa Plantation Sesquicentennial Monument, which was dedicated on July 27, 1985, without the bronze sculptures, which were unveiled the following year — on Saturday, July 26, 1986.
More of the commemoration crowd.
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© 2020. COPYRIGHT Catherine Pascual Lo