It’s A‘ole Pilikia for Waimea’s “Parade Lady”: Lani Olsen-Chong

By Fern Gavelek

Known by many in Waimea as “The Parade Lady,” Lani Olsen-Chong is often recognized by her neatly coiffed hairdo and wide grin. Personable, while efficient; friendly, yet business-like; Olsen-Chong is a hustle-bustle volunteer in this upcountry ranching community where she has lived since 1968.

Positive energy seems to emanate from Olsen-Chong, who brushes away challenges and obstacles with the back of her hand. A necklace proclaims her can-do attitude in gold for all to see; it reads, “No Problem.” Custom-made for Lani 35 years ago, it echoes her often-said phrase. Another pendant, with the an words “A‘ole Pilikia,” also dangles from her neck; it too means “No Problem” and was gifted by her husband, Alvin Chong.

“I don’t like ‘no,’ I don’t like ‘I can’t,’” she states matter-of-factly. “Can’t means won’t in my book.”

A working wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother—the 60-something O’ahu native has always found time to “lend a hand” for others, whether it’s sitting on the board of a credit union, selling annual Easter Breakfast tickets for the Lions Club or serving as events chairperson for this year’s Waiomina Centennial Celebration.

Her top community calling, however, is calling the shots for Waimea’s two popular parades. She has chaired them both: the Aloha Festivals’ Paniolo Parade, from 1990-2005, and the Waimea Christmas Twilight Parade, which she oversees today. Held on the first Saturday of December, the enchanting evening procession is in its 48th year, and Olsen-Chong has been involved on and off since the 1970’s. The Christmas parade is actually the day-long culmination of numerous fairs and activities at various Waimea locations. This year, the celebration expands to include participation with KHON-TV’s Lokahi Giving Project.

“I honestly don’t feel like I do a whole lot but I think it’s important to do something,” shares Olsen-Chong. “I think everybody, in some way, gains from volunteering in the community. It’s a chance to make where we live the best it can be.”

A mother of five, grandmother of 13, and great-grandmother of three, Olsen-Chong leads by example. She shows others how to “just make the time” for volunteering. “I would bring my kids along to various things and my older daughter, Shannon, was a big help as a dependable babysitter,” she details. “Today my entire family helps me; I couldn’t do it without them.”

Brought up in Windward O‘ahu, Lorraine “Lani” Alohilani McCorriston was raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She credits church activities with helping her become “more outgoing with others.”

“I was involved with speech, drama and taught the younger kids,” Olsen-Chong says. “The experience gave me the ability to work comfortably with others, to overcome shyness.”

When she was 23, The Parade Lady moved to Waimea with her late husband, Hartwell Olsen, and their young family. Lani had visited Waimea before, and when she brought along Hartwell, “he liked what he saw and so we decided to move here.”

While the couple had more children, Lani was employed in various positions, mainly at the Mauna Kea Beach and Mauna Lani Bay hotels. During this time she met many people and made connections. One of those people was Sam Kimura of Parker Ranch, an avid participant in numerous community committees, especially those involving scouting, HPA, sports and St. James Church.

“I think Sam saw potential in me and he introduced me to the Christmas Parade committee and other organizations,” recalls Olsen-Chong. “He asked me to sit on the board of the Kamuela Credit Union (in 1968) and emcee the Lions’ Club fair.”

Olsen-Chong adds that “Sam was very inspirational” and a good role model for community volunteerism. “He would get me involved and then move on.”

Gloriann Akau, long-time Big Isle Aloha Festivals manager, recruited Lani to take over the Paniolo Parade in 1990. Olsen-Chong enlisted the help of Honolulu parade veteran Nelson Fujio to “show her the ropes,” including how to interface marching, equestrian and float units.

“Having a vision for your parade is important,” adds Olsen-Chong, who spearheaded the Paniolo Parade for 15 years. “You work with a theme and fill your key parade positions and then other elements fall into place.”

“The parade is all about family and creating cherished moments and memories for our keiki,” explains Patti Cook, secretary of the Waimea Community Association, a parade sponsor.

“This is what inspires Lani, and she in turn, motivates dozens of her own family members and community friends to help.”

Cook says overseeing the holiday parade “takes a huge commitment of time and attention to detail,” sometimes requiring Olsen-Chong to work into the wee hours to finalize the script for the parade’s six narrator stations. Parade preparation begins with bi-monthly meetings starting in April with a team of recruited volunteers who chair different tasks like security and publicity.

“That’s what makes this (parade) work, finding different chairpeople who can delegate and work cooperatively with others,” explains Olsen-Chong. “You’re successful if everybody does their job.”

The Parade Lady has put extra effort into this year’s event, securing O‘ahu TV personality Manolo Morales to serve as parade grand marshal. The KHON-2 reporter will also emcee six hours of pre-parade entertainment at Waimea Center, as part of the Lokahi Giving Project. The theme of this year’s parade is “He Kalikimaka Lokahi — A Christmas Full of Harmony!”

“It’s going to be exciting and I think we’re privileged to have the Lokahi Giving Project coming to Waimea,” stresses Olsen-Chong. “We’ve been working on getting them here for several years; it will give our community the opportunity to share in the spirit of lokahi (unity).”

KHON-TV’s annual collection for the needy starts the day after Thanksgiving at Waimea Center, where Olsen-Chong’s daughter, Kalae, has arranged for Young Brothers to donate a van to store material donations. Monetary and gift card contributions can be made at American Savings Bank. All collected items will be distributed to Big Island Lokahi recipients.

Does Lani think she’ll be retiring any time soon as The Parade Lady? She claims there are no plans for that yet, as planning the parade is “something she enjoys.” Olsen-Chong admits her youngest daughter, Kalae Kawamura of Waimea, is her “right-hand person” and this year co-chairs the parade with her. Like her mother, Kawamura sometimes tows her keiki along to community planning meetings.

“If I died today, Kalae would pick up the baton and go on,” confides Lani. “No matter what I do, I couldn’t do it without the help of my family.” ❖