Hundreds of people lined the streets in Kailua today for the community’s annual Fourth of July parade, a sun-baked procession that included Boy Scouts and bikers, Rotarians and roller-derby divas.

Don Smith, 53, of Kailua, and his son Daniel, a member of Boy Scout Pack 311, marched for the third consecutive year.
“When (Daniel) looks back, I hope he’d feel honored and privileged to have to opportunity to celebrate Independence Day this way,” Smith said. “It’s a great way to honor our country and show our respect. It’s especially meaningful because we have troops overseas.”
Frank Barcelona, 56, of Kalihi, echoed the sentiment.
“We have to remember that we have troops overseas that we have to continue to support,” said Barcelona, who marched with his fellow Knights of Columbus. “It means a lot for me to represent our Lord and to show our patriotism.”
Lucio Sanico, 85, of Makakilo, led a group of 16 Korean War veterans down the parade route.
Sanico, an Army staff sergeant, served in the Philippines during World War II and was stationed in Japan when the Korean War broke out.
He smiled as he surveyed the children along the route, many of whom came dressed in red, white and blue.
“It’s hard to explain, but we try to keep our kids out of harm's way,” he said. “That’s important because not every country thinks that way.”