SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, December 5, 2026!

66th Annual Waimea Twilight Christmas Parade

Please check back for parade details and application.

Celebrating Waimea’s Parade Legacy:

Our Waimea parade is the 2nd oldest in Hawai’i!

65th Waimea Twilight Christmas Parade!

Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025

Theme: “A WAIMEA CHRISTMAS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION”

Parade spectators asked to please stay on the sidewalk or grass and off the roadway, no open fires/barbecues/hibachis to prevent wildfire, and please do not throw candy from parade units - for everyone’s safety!

Attendees are urged to please keep a close watch on keiki and to please take trash with you. Every narrator station will have trash bags!

This year’s parade will support the Community Meal at St. James.

 2025 Parade Application, Rules, Etc…

• 2025 Waimea Christmas Parade - Application

• 2025 Waimea Christmas Parade - Rules

• 2025 Waimea Christmas Parade - Liability Waiver

• 2025 Waimea Christmas Parade - Narration

2025 CHRISTMAS PARADE PARTNERS & SPONSORS: More than 100 community volunteers help make Waimea’s annual parade possible along with several County and State agencies. In addition, the following help cover the costs to stage the parade including off-duty police, 20 narrator stations along the route with porta luas, lighting, etc. MAHALO to: Aloha Keiki Provisions, BAE, Big Island Mechanical, Branken Corporation, DeLuz Trucking, First Hawaiian Bank, Hawaii Preparatory Academy, Hilton Grand Vacations, HouseMart Kamuela Ace Hardware, Kamuela Inn, Keck Observatories, Kenworth, Lex Brodie’s, North Hawaii Rotary, Parker Ranch, Parker Ranch Center, Parker School, Premier Restoration Hawaii, Puna Plantations, SHOPO, Title Guaranty, Waimea Community Association and West Hawaii Concrete.

Our Truckers Are Always On Our Mind! Spectacularly lighted trucks have become the "signature" of the Waimea Christmas Parade but it wasn't always so. Our truckers formally joined Waimea’s Christmas Parade 28 years ago…and for that first year, 13 trucks participated. Tonight, we have over 50 fabulously lighted trucks from the following companies:

S&R

Bertelmann Inc.

West Hawai’i Concrete

Derego Services

HPM

Oye Inc.

JCT Trucking

Kai’s trucking

Hawai’i Foodservice Alliance

Sanborn Trucking

A&A Trucking

CTK

Tow Guys

Kamuela Roll Offs

THC

Cahill Trucking

Konens Freight Service

Diamond D Ranch

CS Topsoil

How cool is that!

And there's more: When they first joined our Waimea Parade, the trucker 'ohana decided to honor a beloved fallen trucker, the late Jeff Cypriano. This year, they are honoring the late Glenn Bertelmann, founder of Bertelmann, Inc., and Arnold Gaston, a driver with West Hawai’i Concrete for 46 years. We extend warm Waimea aloha to their families, friends and co-workers as well as to all of the families of truckers honored over the years during our parades!

Special thanks to Waimea trucker Sonny Miranda for coordinating our annual lighted truck brigade that celebrates the men, women, families and companies that are a year-round community lifeline here on Hawai'i Island.

Proud team of Waimea Community Association Presidents (past and current), all of whom are dedicated to caring for this community. gathered to celebrate the 65th Birthday of the association and the 65th Birthday of the Waimea Christmas Twilight Parade. They are (L-R) Sherman Warner, John Ray, Neil Morriss, Patti Cook, James Hustace, Fred Nonaka, Mary Beth Laychak, Pete Hendricks, Bill Sanborn, Riley Smith, and Nancy Carr Smith. Unable to participate: Peter Young.

Past Presidents who are no longer with us: Richard Penhallow, Bill Morriss, Michael O'Kieffe and Mike Luce.

Mahalo to these community contributors and to all who helped make this year’s parade a memorable tribute to this special place and the generations of people who call Waimea home!

BRINGING WAIMEA'S 65TH CHRISTMAS TWILIGHT PARADE TO LIFE were 40 volunteer Narrators at 20 stations along the parade route. A huge mahalo to these community friends who help ensure everyone’s safety while introducing parade units and sharing the true spirit of Christmas.

They include:

Stephen Rouelle and Logan Anderson

Makela Bruno and David Clark

Ginger Bertelmann and Lyn Yee

Darde Gamayo and Leighton Bell

Colin and Lisa Miura

Pomai and Deedee Bertelmann

Diane Chadwick and Hanna Bree

Anita Tatum and Michael Ng

Max and Ippy Iona

Monica Hurley, Mel Kahele and Lez Purdy

Kala’e and Kalena Parish

Edlynn Carvalho and Annie Aikau

Russell Subiono and Naka Nathaniel

Ana B and Owana Wilcox

Chris Agpoon and Marcie Kawamura

Jack and Alyssa Friend

Mike and Mary Fran Donnelly

Rae-Ann Ontiveros and Maria Elena Watai

Kari and Gary Clark

Auhea Alapai and Ka’iu Kimura

NOTE: Every narrator station has a first aid kit, trash bags for spectators to keep Waimea beautiful (nothing left behind please), and a nearby portalua.

2024 Waimea Twilight Christmas Parade

MAHALO TO EVERYONE who helps make our 2024 Waimea Twilight Christmas Parade a SAFE SUCCESS!

GREAT GRINDS added to the Fun! Waimea’s Christmas Parade committee is happy to confirm the following “local kine” food trucks will be offering their yummy pleasures at one of the two first-ever FOOD ZONES along the now much longer Waimea Christmas Twilight Parade route (see map below):

• Zone 1 – Behind (South of) Waimea Elementary & Middle School) in the gravel student drop-off area

• Zone 2 – Pukalani Stables Parking Lot

Important Waimea Parade Information:

TRAFFIC ADVISORY:

• Please anticipate traffic slow-down/disruption - plan ahead! No cars will be moving along the parade route from 5:55 - 7:15 p.m. but emergency vehicles will be able to respond as needed.  There will be no vehicular traffic from west to east or east to west thru Waimea town during the parade. 

• For 2024, slight route change - will begin with units exiting Waimea Park onto Kawaihae Road (across from Habitat for Humanity’s RESTORE), proceeding to Lindsey Road and then to the main intersection with Mamalahoa Highway. Will turn left onto Mamalahoa Highway, right onto Pukalani Road, right onto Ala ‘Ohia and conclude at the Kalani Schutte District Park. Floats will park there for the public to view after the parade. Also after the parade, everyone is invited to the Canada-France Hawai’i Telescope annual free Star Party!

SAFETY OF EVERYONE IS OUR #1 PRIORITY:

• PLEASE do not throw candy or other items!

• PLEASE be attentive and alert to your surroundings including children, other spectators and all entry units.

• PLEASE help ensure this an alcohol and drug free event.

• PLEASE prevent the spread of Covid-19.

• PLEASE be mindful to not accidentally start a wildfire due to a hot catalytic converter striking high grass or tossing away lighted cigarettes.

• Please pick up trash - leave no “footprints”! All narrator stations will have trash bags available.

• There will be portaluas next to most narrator stations for everyone’s convenience and safety.

Need More Information?

Co-Chair Lani Olsen-Chong - olsenchong@gmail.com or 936-0670

Co-Chair Kalae Kawamura - k_kawamura92@yahoo.com or 936-4376

63rd Annual Waimea Twilight Christmas Parade

Saturday, December 2, 2023 - 5:30PM

2023 Parade Theme:

‘E Lauhoe Mai Na Wa’a’

‘Everyone Paddle the Canoe Together’

Grand Marshal: Pete Hendricks!

 63rd WAIMEA TWILIGHT CHRISTMAS PARADE SAT., DEC. 2, 2023 ACCEPTING ENTRIES, REPEATING LONGER, SAFER ROUTE

WAIMEA, Hawai’i Island - Entries are still being accepted for the 63rd Waimea Christmas Twilight Parade on Sat., Dec. 2, 2023 from 5:30-6:45 p.m. through the heart of this upcountry community.  This year’s parade will repeat the much longer, safer route introduced last year for what is the second oldest holiday parade in Hawai’i.

Featuring more than 60 lighted entries including many festively “dressed” trucks and other big rigs, units will stage in Waimea Park, and beginning promptly at 5:30 p.m., turn out onto Lindsey Road to the main intersection, turn left (east) onto Mamalahoa Highway (Hwy 19) to pass thru town center, then right (south) onto Pukalani Road, then right onto Ala ‘Ohia Road, and end at the Kalani Schutte Waimea District Park.  Lighted units will remain at the District Park for post-parade viewing. 

TRAFFIC ADVISORY:  No cars will be moving along the parade route from 5:30-6:45 p.m. but emergency vehicles will be able to respond as needed.  The public is urged to plan ahead to avoid delays because there will be no vehicular traffic from west to east or east to west thru Waimea town during the parade. 

Theme for the 2023 parade is “E Lauhoe Mai Na Wa’a:  Everybody Paddle the Canoe Together,” and the Grand Marshal will be Pete Hendricks, Waimea’s tireless community leader, historian, educator, retired County Deputy Managing Director, Nature Park volunteer, canoe paddler and sailing instructor. 

There is no charge to enter the parade though entries are urged to contribute to Big Island Giving Tree’s annual holiday gifting of makana bags to over 500 kupuna to ensure no one is forgotten during this season of giving and sharing. 

To secure a packet of parade rules and application, slide up on this page for links. For questions, contact parade co-chair Lani Olsen-Chong (olsenchong@gmail.com) or Kalae Kawamura (k_kawamura92@yahoo.com.

Parade entrants are asked to carefully review parade rules for everyone’s safety, including the requirement that units must be well lighted, and walkers are discouraged because of the length of the route and to prevent slowdowns or gaps.  Also, no candy or other goodies may be thrown from units.

There will be 18 sponsored narrator stations along the longer parade route and most will have a nearby porta lua for the public’s convenience and health-safety.  Sponsors include Ace Hardware, US Army Recruiters, BankOH, Big Island Mechanical, DeLuz Trucking, First Hawaiian Bank, Hawai’i Preparatory Academy, Kamuela Inn, Keck Observatories, Kenworth, Lex Brodie’s, Mo Betta Farms, North Hawaii Rotary, Parker Ranch, Parker Ranch Center, Parker School, Pohakuloa Training Area, Puna Plantation/KTA Super Stores, Waimea Community Association and West Hawai’i Electronics.

Also along the route will be two first-ever FOOD ZONES including Jaw Jacker, Zoid Bergerz, Kapua’s Snack Box, Henry Grace - Ohana Food Trailer, Jodi Sylva - J’s Sugar Shack, Mao’s Kitchen, Oyatsu Hawai’I, Country Grounds, Fat Boy, and Lock Jaw Lemon Peel. Food truck vendors must be food safety certified and pre-approved by the parade committee.  For more information, email dayna@naupakaevents.com. 

While parade spectators may set up their own tents along the parade route for viewing, no barbeques, hibachis or open fires are permitted and special care must be exercised to avoid accidentally starting a grass fire with any kind of lighted objects including heated cars. 

As always, Santa has confirmed participation in the parade on a magical float created this year by the staff of Canada France Hawai’i Telescope and W.M. Keck Observatory.  Immediately after the parade, Santa will go to Parker Ranch Center’s Firewise Food Court to visit with keiki.  

Also immediately after the parade, Canada France Hawai’i Telescope will again host its annual Star Party at its Waimea headquarters with star gazing/viewing (as weather permits) outside and inside, make and take crafts, and goodies including hot chocolate. 

Before the parade, the Hawai’i County Band will present a half hour concert at Parker Ranch Center beginning at 4:30 p.m., and then will hop on board a float created for them by the Parker Ranch ‘ohana to lead off the parade. 

Waimea’s Christmas parade is staged by a large hui of more than 1,000 volunteers working in partnership with the North Hawai’i Rotary, the State Department of Transportation, the County of Hawai’i including Police, Fire, Public Works and Parks and Recreation, and dozens of community organizations including schools, faith groups, keiki and kupuna clubs, non-profits, community service agencies and businesses. 

Christmas Parade 2022

Christmas Parade 2021

Christmas Parade 2019