HONOLULU (KHON2) — Sam Choy, a renowned chef from Oʻahu, is being honored at Aloha Festivals this year with the position of Grand Marshal in the annual parade.
“My role is just to share the spirit of aloha,” Choy said. “I’m so blessed, or say blessed-blessed, to be part of that traditional Aloha Festivals parade.”
The festivals’ theme for 2025 is “Ko Kula Uka, Ko Kula Ka,” from the mountains to the ocean.
“It talks about in traditional times where community really took care of one another,” said Monte McComber, culture director of Royal Hawaiian Center.
The theme of celebrating food and how it connects communities resonated with Choy.
“They got the right guy!” Choy said. “I firmly believe and understand food is art, so the smell, the colors, the taste and the presentation… When you look at food, it’s spiritual, it’s art, it’s health, it’s comforting.”
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For Choy, being chosen as the grand marshal this year carries the legacy of those who have come before with it.
“I’ve not only watched [the parade] on TV but I’ve also been there at the parade itself. So you know, it’s not a burden but it’s just a feeling of making sure I can represent all the people that have done it before,” Choy said.
With the thought process of a chef, Choy called the floral parade “the true flavor of Hawaii.”
“Everybody’s all in that parade so if you’re a person that’s trying to find the pulse of a place, especially when you’re in Hawaii, that parade will offer you that,” Choy said.
Participants include paʻu riders, the military, school bands and more.
Choy reflected further on the opportunity to be grand marshal in the parade.
“When I got that call to be the grand marshal, two things I said to myself: It’s about time, one,” Choy said. “And secondly, I am so lucky.”
He emphasized again the importance of providing representation for the community.
“I just want to represent, you know, bring it to the public and bring it to the visitors, and bring it to the kids of Hawaii,” Choy said.