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7 things to know for Kauaʻi's big celebration this weekend
LIHUE, Hawaii (KHON2) — The 7th annual Kauaʻi Pride Parade and Festival is coming up on Saturday, June 7. What started in 2019 with the help of the YWCA Kauaʻi and a dream to bring the community together has grown into one of the island's biggest events.
'We're so excited to announce our 7th annual celebration,' said Matthew Houck, spokesperson for Kauaʻi Pride. 'Our parade is at 10 a.m. on Rice Street, followed by a festival on the county lawn from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.'
In 2019, the parade shut down Rice Street for the first time in Līhuʻe. 'We just hadn't had a big, large community event this size before,' Houck said. 'And we were amazed by the turnout.'
We were also able to catch up with Kauaʻi's representative on the Hawaiʻi State Commission for LGBTQ+ Affairs, Commissioner Philip Steinbacher.
'I've participated in the Kaua'i Pride Parade and Festival since its inception in 2019, but I'm especially excited to be a part of the event this year. Since we are just completing our first year in existence, this will be the first time the Hawai'i State LGBTQ+ Commission will appear in the parade,' said Commissioner Steinbacher. 'As commissioners, we are committed to taking steps to support our community and an important part of facilitating that is visibility.'
He went further to discuss the commission's goals and outlook for the future.
'I still believe most people might not know Hawai'i has an LGBTQ+ commission; and, as a resident of Kaua'i for the last 20 years, I want to make sure that those living on the Garden Island know us and feel comfortable reaching out to us with thoughts and ideas on what work the commission can do to offer support,' added Steinbacher.'
This year, the celebration honors the progress made, the people who came before and the young ones who are growing up now.
Here's what you need to know before joining the celebration.
The heart of Kauaʻi Pride is the parade and festival. These celebratory events bring the community together in the center of Līhuʻe for a full day of celebration.
The parade runs from 10 to 11 a.m. along Rice Street, starting at Vidinha Stadium and ending at the Historic County Building. The festival begins immediately after on the County Lawn, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Food trucks, local vendors and live entertainment will fill the area to create a vibrant, welcoming space where everyone is invited to gather, celebrate and take pride in community.\
'I think the parade and festival are a great way to show up publicly in a fun and informal venue and meet the people we serve, said Steinbacher. 'I look forward to meeting many Kaua'i residents during the festival and want to invite everyone to join us for this exciting day of aloha and connection and support.'
Kauaʻi Pride was created with the whole community in mind. This includes families and their keiki. Organizers have worked to ensure the event is welcoming, joyful and inclusive for all ages.
'We really strived to make this an all ages and family friendly event for our community,' Houck said.
With colorful parade entries, engaging performances and plenty of space to explore, the event offers something for everyone. Last year's celebration featured more than 30 parade entries and over 40 year, an even larger turnout is expected, making it a full day of fun, connection and celebration for all generations.
The Kauaʻi Pride Festival is a huge celebration, and it's a gathering place for local businesses, food vendors and community groups. Attendees can browse, eat and connect with organizations that reflect the heart of the island.
'We have lots of food trucks and business and vendors and community resources,' Houck said.
Whether you're looking for ono food, handmade goods or information about local services, the festival grounds at the Historic County Building lawn will be filled with opportunities to engage, support and learn from the Kauaʻi community.
This year's Kauaʻi Pride Festival will feature a full lineup of live performances from across the island's creative and cultural communities. From traditional hula to high-energy drag, the day promises a wide range of entertainment for all ages.
'We have tons of local entertainment,' Houck said. 'Our local Kauaʻi drag queens are performing. We have live bands, music, hula.'
Scheduled acts include Hālau Ka Pā Hula O Hinano, The Babes, The Nepali Coasters, Nia Dance Team, Whitney Ross, The Imperial Sovereign Court of Hawaiʻi, Kauaʻi Community Players and Vescois.
Each performance brings a unique voice to the celebration that highlights the depth and diversity of talent on the island.
A familiar and celebrated voice will return to the stage at this year's Kauaʻi Pride. Kim Coco Iwamoto, who delivered the keynote address at the inaugural event in 2019, will join the community once again for the 7th annual celebration.
'Kim was our keynote speaker at our inaugural event in 2019, and we're so excited to have her back,' Houck said.
Her return marks a full-circle moment for the event, which has grown in size and spirit since its first year. Iwamoto's presence adds a sense of continuity and meaning for those who have been part of the celebration from the start.
Kauaʻi Pride is more than a parade and festival. It's a space created with care and intention. Organizers said it's about celebrating identity while recognizing the people who have made the present moment possible.
'We want to honor our kūpuna who have come, you know, long before us and have helped pave the way,' Houck said.
The event is designed to uplift everyone, especially youth, in a community-centered atmosphere that feels safe, welcoming and affirming.
'And we're really trying to create a safer, quiet community for everyone,' Houck said. 'Really showing young people that they belong here, that this is their community.'
You can click here for more information on the festival.
There's also a special exhibit that has come to Kauaʻi as part of the month's celebration of World Pride. It is sponsored and created by Dean Hamer and Joe Wilson who founded Lei Pua ʻAla, Queer Histories of Hawaiʻi project and who want to tell stories from all parts of Hawaiʻi.
A special exhibit called Kaulike No Nā Mea A Pau: Toward Queer Justice in Hawaiʻi is now open at Kauaʻi Community College as part of the month's celebration of World Pride. It shares the history of LGBTQ+ people in Hawaiʻi and will stay open through the end of June for Pride Month.
'We're very open to hearing more stories, especially our neighbor islands,' Hamer said. 'Some of the most interesting stories that we found have been on these islands, from Maui and Molokaʻi and Kauaʻi.'
'It's a beautiful exhibit that takes viewers on a journey,' Wilson said.
Commissioner Philip Steinbacher helped bring it to Kauaʻi. He said the project 'just seemed like the perfect opportunity to explore our history.'
The exhibit is free and open to all. Visitors can also explore the project's website, which includes videos, a story map and ways to share your own story.
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Kauaʻi Pride is making its mark on the island as organizers and the community at large are working to create an inclusive and safe space for everyone to celebrate life, love and freedom. Happy Pride, Kauaʻi!
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