Business Monday: Street Eats event coming up on Kahamehameha Day

The Kailua Village Business Improvement District is rolling out its Street Eats Food Truck Festival during King Kamehameha Day on June 8.

This is the first time Street Eats will join the Hawaiian holiday festivities as the business district is partnering with Hulihe‘e Palace and the Kamehameha Day Parade to bring people to Kailua Village for the all-day event, which is free to the public.

In a post-COVID world, Ross Wilson, executive director of the Kailua Village Business Improvement District, said organizations need to work together to support business in the historic district.

Ali‘i Drive will close to vehicle traffic as food trucks and food vendors from around the island line up in Historic Kailua Village from noon to 6 p.m. from Kailua Pier to Hualalai Road.

“I’m hoping they have enough food because we’re going to have big crowds,” Wilson said.

Wilson anticipates Street Eats and Kamehameha Day celebrations will bring 5,000 people, at least, to the downtown business event.

Vendors can still sign up for Street Eats by emailing HKEvents@gmail.com or log on to HistoricKailuaVillage.com. Kailua Village restaurants are free and encouraged to participate in Street Eats.

Also on June 8, the Daughters of Hawai‘i will host a Ho‘olaulea at Hulihe‘e Palace from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be live entertainment and hula performances throughout the day in the heart of the village at Emma’s Square. Starting at 1:30 p.m. Kumu Hula Chrissy Henriques and Halau e Hulalai Mai I Ka La will perform center stage.

Twelve-time Na Hoku Hanohano award winner Kainani Kahaunaele takes the stage at 4 p.m. to perform her collection of Hawaiian mele (songs).

the Annual King Kamehameha Day Parade along Ali‘i Drive. Regal pau riders on horseback will represent each of the eight islands, led by their respective princesses and the pau queen. The floral parade will also feature hula halau, equestrian units, marching bands and much more. The parade begins at 9 a.m. More information can be found at www.konaparade.org.