Hilo Pride parade returns Saturday with family-friendly festival downtown

Hilo Pride will return to downtown Hilo on Saturday with a parade that starts at 11 a.m. at Kamehameha Avenue and Ponahawai Street, moves down Keawe Street, loops back to Kamehameha Avenue and ends at Mooheau Bandstand. The festival opens at noon and runs until 4 p.m., with drag and aerial arts performances, local vendors, information booths, food, live music, a bounce house for keiki and a scavenger hunt for children.

Hawaii Island LGBTQ+ Pride is staging the 14th annual celebration under the theme Strong Together, Proud Forever. Vice president Phill Russell said the message reflects a tougher political climate for LGBTQ+ people nationally and the need for the community and its allies to stand together, reject stigma and look out for one another. Equality Hawaii is helping produce this year’s festival, which is centered on a family-friendly day in downtown Hilo.

Russell said the event typically draws about 500 to 700 people, with supporters outnumbering protesters in recent years. He said turnout has grown each year and that the atmosphere feels heartwarming because families, friends and island residents show up openly.

The parade was not held in 2024 after the death of longtime Pride advocate Greg Lupton, and that year’s festival drew its largest turnout in several years even without the march. In 2022, Hawaii County recognized the annual Pride parade and festival in a resolution that said the event brings LGBTQ community members together and affirms their rights in Hawaii County. County records include a proclamation marking the 10th anniversary of Hawaii Island LGBTQ Pride Month and urging residents to eliminate prejudice and celebrate diversity throughout June.

Hawaii Island LGBTQ+ Pride offers free Safe Space kits for teachers.