Waimea Light Parade expands to honor renowned storyteller instrumental in event’s founding

The 24th annual Waimea Light Parade is expanding this year to honor the life and legacy of renowned Kaua‘i storyteller, historian and community leader Aletha Goodwin Kaohi, who was instrumental in founding the annual holiday parade.

The Historic Waimea Theater and Cultural Arts Center, which organizes the parade, collaborated with Hawai‘i workforce development nonprofit ClimbHI to launch the first West Kauaʻi Mo‘olelo Festival.

Kicking off an evening of celebration, the festival from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday includes a showing of “Aletha,” a short film that takes place during the final days before Goodwin Kaohi’s death earlier this year.

The storytelling of the renowned West Kaua‘i historian is highlighted in the film as she shares lessons learned from her 93 years of life in Waimea.

“Aletha,” filmed by award-winning Native Hawaiian filmmaker Alexander Bocchieri, who lives and works in Honolulu and Los Angeles, debuted at the 2024 Hawai‘i International Film Festival.

“The festival serves as a place for local storytelling in West Kaua‘i, helping perpetuate Hawaiian culture and the rich history of Kaua‘i that Aletha held so dear,” said Julie Morikawa, president of ClimbHI and producer of “Aletha.”

Goodwin Kaohi is also this year’s Waimea Light Parade grand marshal, and will be represented by her family.

The festival will include entertainment by award-winning musician and Hawaiian cultural practitioner Ku‘uipo Kumukahi, who is serving as mistress of ceremony, and Kaua‘i Kollab will perform a holiday concert at Hofgaard Park to close out the parade.

All events and parking are free. Bring your own chairs and blankets on which to sit. Food and craft vendors will be available at Hofgaard Park, and outside food is also welcome.

Waimea Bridge will be closed and there be no parking allowed along Kaumuali‘i Highway from 5 to 9:30 p.m.

The new festival is supported by the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority Community Enrichment Program and West Kaua‘i Heritage Center.

For more informtion, click here.

The 24th annual Waimea Light Parade begins at 6 p.m., staging in the Waimea Canyon Middle School parking lot before proceeding down Huakai Road and then continuing along Waimea Canyon Drive to Kaumuali‘i Highway.

The parade ends at the Alawai Road intersection.

This year’s theme is “Super Heroes: Not all Heroes wear capes.”

As always, there will be a ton of electrified fun to be had: “From illuminated floats to glo-stick marching units, you’ll see the westside community full of holiday cheer!” exclaims the Waimea Light Parade website.

Traffic impact and road closures:

To ensure safety for participants and spectators, Kaua‘i Police Department is notifying the public that all streets along the parade route will be closed from 5:30 p.m. to about 9:30 p.m. Saturday or until the parade concludes.

Parking and transit updates:

• No parking will be allowed along the parade route starting at 5:30 p.m. Saturday.
• Kaua‘i Bus Route 200, departing at 3:25 p.m., 4:25 p.m., 5:25 p.m., 6:25 p.m. and 7:25 p.m. from Līhu‘e, will end in Waimea at the Pāʻulaʻula State Historic Site (formerly Russian Fort).
• Kaua‘i Bus Route 100 will start at 5:15 p.m., 6:15 p.m., 7:15 p.m., 8:15 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. in Waimea at the Pāʻulaʻula State Historic Site because of the road closures.
• The last Route 100 bus will leave Kekaha at 4:15 p.m.

For more information about bus services, call 808-246-8110.

Motorists are advised to plan ahead and allow extra time to reach their destinations as traffic delays are expected because of road closures and temporary parking and transit changes.

Event organizers will issue updates if severe weather conditions affect the parade.

Whatever you do, don’t miss the fun — and festive fellowship — of one of Waimea’s brightest traditions.

Visit the Waimea Light Parade website for additional information.