Too many parades

[craigwatanabe]

So when is too many parades...too many! And of all places Kalakaua! Just look at how it's gonna affect bus transportation (http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080316/BREAKING01/80316014)for that one event.

[Pomai]

I agree. I live here in the thick of it. Fortunately my work schedule allows me to be home or get home soon enough before traffic backs up.

Every organization under the sun seems able to get a permit (http://www.co.honolulu.hi.us/dts/usage/parades.htm) for blocking off Kalakaua for parades.

PARADE/MOTORCADE, OR SPECIAL EVENT - Guidelines for permit:

WHEN IS A PERMIT REQUIRED:

A permit is required for a march, procession, assembly or for any activity on a public street, sidewalk or alley which does not comply with normal and usual traffic regulations or controls.

Let's apply for a Hawaii Threads parade. :D

[Walkoff Balk]

There should be a parade for which incident caused the worst traffic jam on Oahu such as the UH/USC football game or the Army vehicle destroying a freeway overpass bridge.

[Karen]

I don't find parades a bit of fun. If I watch one it is out of respect for someone I know or care about that's walking in it or somehow participating. Seems there are too many on this island. Fewer parades and more fairs in the park for their causes surely would serve the entire population better.

[Random]

So when is too many parades...too many! And of all places Kalakaua! Just look at how it's gonna affect bus transportation (http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080316/BREAKING01/80316014)for that one event.
And that's why I don't go to Waikiki, even if to save my life. :rolleyes:

[Frankie's Market]

I don't find parades a bit of fun. If I watch one it is out of respect for someone I know or care about that's walking in it or somehow participating. Seems there are too many on this island. Fewer parades and more fairs in the park for their causes surely would serve the entire population better.

But certain parades are very important for this state's economy. Aloha Festivals and Kamehameha Day parades rank right up there with the Tournament of Roses and Macy's Pardes when it comes to attracting tourism dollars. Today's Honolulu Festival parade has become an increasingly important event in attracting the Asian market. Fairs in the park or convention center are not a substitute for a parade. As it is, all of these events already have fairs and performances that occur at various venues. But the parade is like the piece de resistance that turns these events/festivals into something that is marquee.

I will say this, though. It would have been nice for the parades to have been spaced out a bit more. Yesterday, it was the Iraq War protest march. Today, the Honolulu Festival. Tomorrow, the St. Patrick's Day parade. And then on Wednesday, there's the Salute to Youth parade. But on the bright side, these parades are all occuring on what would otherwise be a slow month in Waikiki.

[Random]

I will say this, though. It would have been nice for the parades to have been spaced out a bit more. Yesterday, it was the Iraq War protest march. Today, the Honolulu Festival. Tomorrow, the St. Patrick's Day parade. And then on Wednesday, there's the Salute to Youth parade. But on the bright side, these parades are all occuring on what would otherwise be a slow month in Waikiki.
I could do without the Iraq War protest march.

[craigwatanabe]

But on the bright side, these parades are all occuring on what would otherwise be a slow month in Waikiki.

Slow for tourists but there are still those who have to work and live in Waikiki and have to drive thru it to get home as well. I think a fair at Kapiolani Park that offers venues is a much better way of making an awareness of an event or cause.

[Frankie's Market]

Slow for tourists but there are still those who have to work and live in Waikiki and have to drive thru it to get home as well.

Yes, obviously, it is an inconvenience for people driving to jobs in Waikiki. But the kicker is that those people's jobs exist because of tourism. Take away the visitors who are coming because of those events, and they'll either have no jobs to go to, or their hours are cut.

AFAIAC, every little bit that helps the visitor count is important because the Japanese market is expected to take a hit this year. Maybe you're not aware that JAL is planning to jack up the airfares in April with another fuel surcharge increase. In all likelihood, it will put a damper on this year's Golden Week.

Having a few hours of traffic blocked off for just one day is, if you ask me, a worthwhile investment if you can attract visitors to the islands for stays of 4-7 days, which will be the case for many Japanese who are partaking in the Honolulu Festival during what would otherwise be a slow month.

But hey, it's a free country. Complain about the parade and all the inconvenience that you experience. Just remember this reality. This will be an off-year for tourism, which means less dollars will be flowing in locally. There will also be the double whammy of rising gas prices and an economy that is heading towards a recession. This is a reality that, judging from the comments here, has not sunk in with some people yet. But when it does eventually hit, they can't say they weren't warned.

Having said that, I do think that the city could be more selective in the kinds of parade that are allowed. Honolulu Festival is definitely a keeper. But the Iraq protest march? That one probably had a negligible effect on the economy (although I gave the thumbs up to the guys on the trolley yelling "Down with Bush!":D ) I also question whether the Gay Pride parade generates an economic impact that justifies its existence.

[Karen]

Frankie's...yeah, I think you are so right! it's a double-edged sword but necessary just like the races this island hosts, are.

[craigwatanabe]

Well then maybe the parades should ALL be conducted during the weekends when work traffic will be at a minimum anyway.

[Frankie's Market]

Well then maybe the parades should ALL be conducted during the weekends when work traffic will be at a minimum anyway.

All of the biggie parades (Aloha Festivals, Kamehameha Day, Honolulu Fest) are on the weekends, anyway. The ones that fall on weekdays are the shorter ones.

Let's not forget that parades aren't the only things that block off the flow of traffic. The event that involves the biggest disruption in traffic, in terms of both distance and time, is the Honolulu Marathon. And I'm hoping that no one seriously thinks that event should be eliminated.

Then there's the block parties. The Ho'olaulea in Waikiki is usually held on Friday nights. A traffic nightmare, for sure. But the Ho'olauea ain't goin' away anytime soon, for obvious reasons. If traffic tie-ups drive you nuts, you just have to avoid the Waikiki area on that one night. Look on the bright side. At least you're not totally trapped in your homes like some folks are in Hawaii Kai on marathon day.

The Spam Jam started off with a bang, but the novelty seems to have worn off in the last couple of years. They're going to be having it again in 2008, but if the crowd it draws continues to shrink, the city should think about moving it out of Waikiki or eliminating it entirely.

And of course, there's Halloween Night in Waikiki. I'm sorry, but for any guy who wants that event eliminated, you would have to be gay. That's the one night where all the chicks dress up in the sexiest costumes.

And yes, I freely admit to being sexist in the last paragraph. :D

[craigwatanabe]

And of course, there's Halloween Night in Waikiki. I'm sorry, but for any guy who wants that event eliminated, you would have to be gay. That's the one night where all the chicks dress up in the sexiest costumes.

And yes, I freely admit to being sexist in the last paragraph. :D

I hardly think being gay would be one to have it eliminated as this is THE one event where all cross-dressers and transsexuals come out in droves to walk the streets of Waikiki in drag.

I still think there are too many parades in Waikiki.

[Random]

All of the biggie parades (Aloha Festivals, Kamehameha Day, Honolulu Fest) are on the weekends, anyway. The ones that fall on weekdays are the shorter ones.

Let's not forget that parades aren't the only things that block off the flow of traffic. The event that involves the biggest disruption in traffic, in terms of both distance and time, is the Honolulu Marathon. And I'm hoping that no one seriously thinks that event should be eliminated.

Then there's the block parties. The Ho'olaulea in Waikiki is usually held on Friday nights. A traffic nightmare, for sure. But the Ho'olauea ain't goin' away anytime soon, for obvious reasons. If traffic tie-ups drive you nuts, you just have to avoid the Waikiki area on that one night. Look on the bright side. At least you're not totally trapped in your homes like some folks are in Hawaii Kai on marathon day.

The Spam Jam started off with a bang, but the novelty seems to have worn off in the last couple of years. They're going to be having it again in 2008, but if the crowd it draws continues to shrink, the city should think about moving it out of Waikiki or eliminating it entirely.

And of course, there's Halloween Night in Waikiki. I'm sorry, but for any guy who wants that event eliminated, you would have to be gay. That's the one night where all the chicks dress up in the sexiest costumes.

And yes, I freely admit to being sexist in the last paragraph. :D
Here's a suggestion. Move Spam Jam to Chinatown/Downtown Honolulu.

The evil twin in me prefers to allow traffic flow during the Honolulu Marathon for added challenge, like a Human-sized version of Frogger.

[craigwatanabe]

They should just shut down H3 for the day for the Honolulu Marathon...I mean we did without it (H3) for years as it was being debated in court. At least it's only one of three main arteries between Windward Oahu and Downtown Honolulu being affected.

And move the parades out of Waikiki and along Ala Moana BLVD between South Street and Kalakaua. By doing a contra flow on the Mauka side of Ala Moana BLVD you could still allow for Kokohead bound traffic that would detour to Atkinson and back onto Kalakaua while allowing the parade to traverse into but not thru Waikiki. I think Ala Moana Shopping Center would benefit from all the parade viewers before and after the parade is conducted.

[Frankie's Market]

I hardly think being gay would be one to have it eliminated as this is THE one event where all cross-dressers and transsexuals come out in droves to walk the streets of Waikiki in drag.

You are right that Halloween night does bring out the cross-dressers and trannys. I suppose that some folks are attracted to them. And that's cool if they want to focus on that. Leaves that many more females for the rest of us straight guys. :D

As I said, Halloween is the one night of the year when you get to see chicks dress up besides the same ole' ones that work at places like Rock Za and Femme Nu.

[craigwatanabe]

You are right that Halloween night does bring out the cross-dressers and trannys. I suppose that some folks are attracted to them. And that's cool if they want to focus on that. Leaves that many more females for the rest of us straight guys. :D

As I said, Halloween is the one night of the year when you get to see chicks dress up besides the same ole' ones that work at places like Rock Za and Femme Nu.

Yeah I know...fantasies come true on Halloween in Waikiki:D

[dick]

So, craigwatanabe, were you in Waikiki for the Honolulu Festival parade? You must have been, since you started this thread. Good to know...

Well, I was there, too. I had to be there for work. And I showed up at 3 p.m. because I knew it would be a zoo.

Why?

Because craploads of actual "locals" enjoy this particular parade. It's huge. People love it.

By 3:30, the sides of Kalakaua were stuffed with people (most of them local, BTW) waiting for the parade.

Yeah, it's terrible... thousands (yeah, literally thousands) of folks coming to Honolulu for this parade, and dumping money into the economy>> for this parade...

... and that's just spectators... not to mention participants...

[craigwatanabe]

Yeah, it's terrible... thousands (yeah, literally thousands) of folks coming to Honolulu for this parade, and dumping money into the economy>> for this parade...

... and that's just spectators... not to mention participants...

Yeah and imagine if it were somewhere else on Oahu that wasn't so congested already Dick.

Remember I never said to ban any parades, just limit them to a few a year. Yes it pumps a ton of money into our local economy...but it also creates a major traffic problem as well. So keep the parades, but put them where traffic won't be as affected. Geez Dick try reading my post.

[dick]

...but it also creates a major traffic problem as well. So keep the parades, but put them where traffic won't be as affected. Geez Dick try reading my post.

Geez.... is right.

I lived for many years in Waikiki. The parade thing was a way of life. With the highest concentration of visitors, it makes sense to have parades, especially large ones go through Waikiki. And, these large parades bring locals (as I noted earlier) into Waikiki as well, when they might not normally go there. Looks like a good deal to me.

So, getting back to my original question (speaking of reading posts). Were you there struggling with "traffic" in Waikiki?

[mel]

I think for those who live outside of Waikiki and don't like parades, the simple solution is to just stay away from the area when there is a parade. For those who live in Waikiki, well the parades come with the territory.... just like the tourists and everything else that makes Waikiki.... Waikiki.

I occasionally go to a Waikiki parade because it is a free event that allows me and others to get some interesting photos.

[craigwatanabe]

So, getting back to my original question (speaking of reading posts). Were you there struggling with "traffic" in Waikiki?

Not this year. But having lived in honolulu for 44-years I've grown to believe there are just too many parades occuring thru Waikiki too frequently. But yes I have had to struggle with traffic in and around Waikiki due to parades in the past.

With the increasing number of vehicular traffic on Oahu, shutting down a major thoroughfare too many times is disruptive to local traffic especially if the parade can be conducted on another route.

But Dick if you feel all this traffic is okay thru your neighborhood well I understand your position that it's perfectly fine with you. But for me it's too much and it seems every year it's getting worse.

So remember the next time you get caught in traffic because, "hey another parade?" stops you from getting home on time, oh well it's okay. But tell that to the hundreds of motorists who didn't get the message because they didn't read page 2 of the newspaper that day announcing the scheduling of said parade thru the route they take home everyday.

I don't represent everybody but then again neither do you so we'll just agree to disagree and that I think it's too much and you think it's perfectly fine.

Oh and before I forget...:)

[Pedro]

You don't mind me pouring water on your parade or in my case snow?:D

[craigwatanabe]

You don't mind me pouring water on your parade or in my case snow?:D

pour it on...we can stand to reduce the heat in this thread :D

[Pedro]

pour it on...we can stand to reduce the heat in this thread :D

Pours a bucket of icy water all over the parade everyone there is soaked from head to toe. The nice frigid winds blow swirls around the friendly bystanders. All better now.:cool: as the terminator said "I'll be back."

[craigwatanabe]

Pours a bucket of icy water all over the parade everyone there is soaked from head to toe. The nice frigid winds blow swirls around the friendly bystanders. All better now.:cool: as the terminator said "I'll be back."

ahhh I'm gellin':)

[craigwatanabe]

Well it seems it's not only me but others that are residents of Waikiki (http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080327/NEWS01/803270342/1001)seem to share my feeling of too many parades.