It was a busy night in the University area as volleyball and Christmas collided.
Hundreds turned out for the annual Kapahulu-Moiliili Christmas parade.
They stopped traffic during a busy time for UH fans, who were heading to the Stan Sheriff Center for the 3rd round of the NCAA Championships.
A lot of drivers were caught off-guard. They didn’t know there was going to be a parade in the area.
At 6:30 tonight, in the midst of pau hana traffic, police closed the intersection of University and King for this.
The annual Kapahulu-Moiliili Christmas parade, put on by the Kapahulu-Moiliili Lions Club, making its way through the area.
"Merry Christmas!"
Mark Danao is heading to dinner at Café Maharani, which is just across the intersection.
"Yeah it’s so close. I’m gonna park here and I’m going to walk over there and have dinner," said Danao.
The parade started at Kuhio Elementary School, went down King, onto Beretania, then ended at Old Stadium Park.
"That’s right, the Moiliili parade."
Liane Leong is on her way home to Kaimuki.
"So close and yet so far! But hopefully Santa, we’ve been good, we’ll be patient then so hopefully Santa will be good this year!" said Leong.
And patience is key when driving during the holiday season.
But it was wearing thin for UH volleyball fans.
"Well if that car would’ve turned, we could’ve made it."
So close yet so far from the Stan Sheriff Center.
"I know the game is going to start pretty soon," said Jimmy Espina of Kalihi.
"We’re paying a lot of money for that!"
"I thought I was early. I never know they had a parade going on."
Well, at least they have courtside seats for the parade.
"I should just put on my breaks then. I should just turn off my engine. I’ll have fun. We’re going to watch the parade," said Leong.
With only about 250 marchers, and just a handful of vehicles, the parade took only about 15 minutes to pass through the intersection of University and King.
"Merry Christmas Santa!"
In the nick of time for UH fans to get to the 7 o’clock game.
And there’s quite a number of other Christmas parades going on this weekend, and next week that’ll also affect traffic.
2011 Oahu schedule of major parades and street activities:
http://www1.honolulu.gov/dts/usage/11/dec11.htm
See the original article at: KHON2 Developing Stories
