The parade was founded in 1998 by Jake Peppers. Through his experiences operating the Hula Bowl, Jake realized the need for a holiday parade in Honolulu and in partnership with Gateway Music Festivals & Tours, revived the Honolulu Christmas Parade, which had been dormant for several years.
It is Jake Pepper's passion for connecting with people that has inspired and driven him to build the Waikiki Holiday Parade, a 'Hui Ana' (gathering) of Bands. Jake first connected with marching bands and parades in the 1990's through his work with the University of Hawaii's Hula Bowl. Jake ran the Hula Bowl for several years, building the event by incorporating outrigger canoe regattas and races, golf and tennis tournaments and, yes, you guessed it, a parade.
In his younger days, Jake played football at Maryville College near Townsend, Tennessee and served in the U.S. Navy overseas from 1956-1959. Today, when he's not busy inviting bands to Hawaii, he enjoys fishing, sports, his dogs and reading. Jake lives in the Great Smoky Mountains, 200 miles east of Nashville and you'll rarely catch him without his red “Hui Ana of Bands” hat!
Jake feels this event is incredibly important as it gives students first-hand exposure to military heroes, new cultures and opens them up to traveling in the future.
