2010 Honolulu Toys for Tots Parade
Get those Harleys ready for the December 5, 2010 Street Bikers United Toys for Tots parade in Honolulu, Hawaii. Four to five thousand riders are expected to make the four mile route beginning at Magic Island and ending at Kapiolani Community College. Participants from several Hawaiian Islands, Japan and other counties are expected.
The event is sponsored by Street Bikers United Hawaii and advanced registration is not required. Gates open at 7AM and the ride begins at 11AM lasting about an hour .All motorcycle riders and their bikes are welcome. A $2 donation is requested to help defray costs for permits, traffic control and insurance.
I spoke to Ray Pagon, State Treasurer for Street Bikers United Hawaii. He asked me to remind riders to be considerate of our neighbors and tourists alike. He encouraged riders to obey all speed limits and discourages revving engines to reduce complaints. This ride brings in over 10,000 toys to boys and girls and he does not want to see the event closed down.
For more information, contact event manager Ray Pagan. Here is a look at last years parade: 2009 Toys for Tots Biker Parade Waikiki.
(Feature Photo Credit: Noel F. Williams)
About this guest blogger:
April M. Williams is a frequent visitor to Hawaii and a great friend of 808Talk. She is also the author of the book “Social Networking Throughout Your Career”, available in paperback and on the Kindle.
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Posted Dec 5th, 2010 at 5:00 pm
Another year of extraordinarily loud motorcycles disrupting the tranquility of Oahu. And why, because 7-8 out of 10 of every Harley in the parade will be stripped of its muffler as it is throughout the year and replaced by the loudest straight-pipes the owner can find to make the noise as deafening as possible. And why, because at heart this is nothing but a bunch of troublemakers. From illegally loud bikes, to a total disregard for the neighborhoods (good luck with that – don’t rev your bikes plea – why do you think they make them loud BUT to rev them at every opportunity), to the preponderance of filthy clothing, to patches and emblems that are as vulgar as they come on those rags – - THIS is what we’re applauding??? Oh, and let’s not forget them spilling into every bar they can find to “tune up” before riding the rest of the day around the island to annoy everyone. I know – next year let’s excuse drunk drivers as long as they donate to alcoholics anonymous, or excuse pedophiles as long as they contribute to child abuse. This “parade” is and has always been a shameful farce. It’s the police and public turning a blind eye to one of the biggest blights on the island.
Posted Dec 7th, 2010 at 4:00 pm
Bill,
Yes, some of these bikes are so loud they make my head ache as they go by. Let’s not through the baby out with the bath water. For 36 years, this parade has brought in toys to brighten the holidays for our Hawaiian keiki.
The bikers come in from not only Honolulu, but other Hawaiian islands, mainland and outside the country. They stay at our hotels, eat in our restaurants and drink in our bars. Their tab and the taxes they pay on island pay our Waikiki and Honolulu area residents employed in these businesses.
And tourists love the parade.
Hawaii depends on tourism. I welcome the bikers, their toys and their money as they patronize our businesses.