Holding Hands

PIDF’s Tūtū and Me and Ka Pa‘alana traveling preschools and families participate in Wai‘anae’s 17th Annual Christmas parade December 13, 2011

PIDF’s Tūtū and Me and Ka Pa‘alana traveling preschools and families participate in Wai‘anae’s 17th Annual Christmas parade December 13, 2011

On November 26, 2011 Partners in Development Foundation’s Tūtū and Me and Ka Pa‘alana Traveling Preschools participated in Wai‘anae’s 17th Annual Christmas Parade. The Traveling Preschool vans were donned with Christmas garland, wreaths, and other decorations to represent Santa’s reindeer and sleigh. Tūtū and Me with their van dressed to look like Rudolph, planned to use its bright red nose to guide the way from Wai‘anae Boat Harbor to Wai‘anae Mall. Ka Pa‘alana vans were decorated as other reindeer and Santa’s sleigh and was excited to follow. The brave walkers in the parade wore jingling bells, garland lei’s, carried bags of candies, and other goodies with the intent to spread some holiday joy. As the parade began our group anxiously waited our turn to exit the harbor.

Families and staff from both programs cheerfully walked in this parade with hopes that their holiday spirit would be seen and spread amongst the greater Wai‘anae community. That hope was welcomed by smiling faces and cheerful sayings such as “Mele Kalikimaka, Happy Holidays, and Merry Christmas!” from the many spectators. Children were excited to receive little toys, candies, and Tūtū and Me t-shirts. Parents were thrilled to see the excitement on the faces of their children. Families that participated with Tūtū and Me and Ka Pa‘alana in the past were excited to see their preschools being represented in this event. Parents were telling their children, “Look that’s the Aunties and Uncles from your old preschool.” It was exciting to see how much their children had grown! The goal of spreading holiday cheer to the families in Wai‘anae was undeniably met by these two amazing programs of Partners in Development Foundation.

“Embracing Wai‘anae’s Diversity” was the theme for this parade and it was fitting that Partners in Development Foundation, and its programs, Tūtū and Me and Ka Pa‘alana Traveling Preschools, participated in the parade as both programs truly embrace the diversity of the community. Partners in Development Foundation truly appreciates the Wai‘anae community and all that it represents.