In the Community

December 27, 2007

Kaiser Permanente's Hawaiian-Themed Rose Parade Float to Feature Child Patients

For the third straight year, tens of millions of people will see Kaiser Permanente represented in a Tournament of Roses Parade float on Jan. 1.

The float’s Hawaiian theme honors Kaiser Permanente’s 50th anniversary serving the people of Hawaii. Kaiser Permanente opened its first facility in Hawaii in 1958. Industrialist Henry J. Kaiser was already known for developing the very famous Waikiki resort now called the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
             
The "Aloha Festival" float features four eight-foot-tall sculpted children dressed in traditional Hawaiian skirts and sarongs, oversized leis, and wreaths. They’re standing along dolphins, sea turtles, starfish and waves – all of course created with thousands of flowers many shipped directly from Hawaii. A troupe of 22 hula dancers and the marching band from Hawaii's Kamehameha Schools for children of Hawaiian ancestry  will accompany the float along the parade route.

The float’s special guests will be 10 young Kaiser Permanente patients, ages 12-17, who are fighting through serious diseases such as cancer, cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, and rheumatoid arthritis. Each child was recommended by their Kaiser Permanente physician to ride on the float; they represent the importance of physical, mental, and spiritual balance – all foundations of Kaiser Permanente’s brand, Total Health.

Pete Wiggins, the 6-year-old child who stars in one of Kaiser Permanente’s Thrive television ads this year, will ride on the float with his father.

More than 400 Kaiser Permanente employees have volunteered to decorate the float. Visitors are welcome to watch the work from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Dec. 26-28 at Fiesta Parade Floats, 2144 Buena Vista Street, Duarte, Calif.

The 119th annual Tournament of Roses Parade will be broadcast live on nine networks, including ABC and NBC. More than 40 million people in 150 nations and territories worldwide are expected to view the parade.

For more information about Kaiser Permanente’s participation in the Tournament of Roses Parade, read this news release