Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 3, Number 8, 1 ʻAukake 1986 — Places Second in Equestrian Division [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Places Second in Equestrian Division

Hawaii Pa'u Riders Big Hit in Oregon Festival

A relatively new Hawaiian organization whose women riders must be members of the venerable ' Ahahui Kaahumanu did Hawaii proud in the 1986 Portland, Ore., Rose Festival Parade June 7 through the downtown streets of the northwest city. Aloha Pa'u Riders — nine men and nine women — placed second in the equestrian division for fancy dress. The Hawaii contingent rode under the banner of Hawaii Pa'u Riders. Of the nine women, seven are Kaahumanu members with the youngest being 32 and the oldest 65. Another organization of Hawaiian pa'u riders was also in the parade but attempts to get information of the name of the group were unsuccessful. According to Maeda Timson, vice president of the group, more than one-half million people viewed the annual parade. "They were virtually hanging from buildings, on top of trucks, fences, window sills and anywhere they could get a vantage point," Mrs. Timson said. She reported that the Hawaii group was very impressed with the profusion of all kinds of fresh flowers whieh were used in decorating the floats. "I understand that one of the stipulations of the parade rules is that only fresh flowers must be used in creating these floats," Mrs. Timson explained. Mrs. Timson, a native Hawaiian who is assistant branch manager in the retirement savings plans department of First Hawaiian Bank's main branch, said she was very impressed with the Portland Festival and the enthusiastic support of its people.

"The people were very warm and cordial. There were many transplanted Hawaiians among them. We met with several of them before and after the parade and many expressed how homesick they were for Hawaii," Mrs. Timson reported. In addition to Mrs. Timson, other officers of Aloha Pa'u Riders are Lita Cook, president; Lei Harris, secretary; and Tiare Baldwin, treasurer. This is the group's first slate of officers. Another election was scheduled July 20. The seven Kaahumanu members who rode in the parade and the islands they represented were Jessie Cavaco, Niihau; Lita Cook, Queen; Margaret Stafford, Lanai; Bridgett lseke, Molokai; Mrs. Timson, Kauai; Lynn Fonseca, Maui; Novie Widemann, Hawaii; Charlene Machado, Kahoolawe; and Angel Phillip, Oahu. The latter two are non-Kaahumanu members but nonetheless made the trip and filled in nicely. Pa'u marshalls were John Cook and Whitney Iseke along with other pa'u riders Francis Okudara, Rudy Kama, Keith Timson, Will Kaimikaua, Gino Fernandez, Bud Widemann and Lei'ala Cook as banner girl. Following the parade, the group spent several days at Camp Sandquist in Molala, Ore., where they put on an exhibition of arts and crafts, teaching and performing the hula, making haku leis, weaving coconut and lauhala products and showing community residents the art of Hawaiian net making. All products were shared with the townsfolk who numbered about 300 in attendance. There was mueh aloha given and shared at the exhibition. The trip was four years in the making.-As with any venture of its kind, funding was a major factor and this little group held fundraisers over the years to finally make it to the festival. It is an experience to be remembered and cherished for a long time.

Maeda (pronounced May'da) Timson, representing the island of Kauai, acknowledges applause of crowd during Oregon Rose Festival in Portltmd.

Lynn Fonseca, left, is the rider representing the island of Maui, and pa'u marshall Whitney Iseke spread some aloha among huge turnout.