BY STEFANIE NAKASONE / snakasone@staradvertiser.com
Hawaii’s favorite holiday tradition, Honolulu City Lights, kicks off Saturday, Dec. 7, with the annual Electric Light Parade, tree-lighting ceremony and musical performances throughout the night at Honolulu Hale.
While families can expect the same holiday attractions as in the past, this year brings a visually stunning addition: three water-spouting humuhumunukunukuapuaa.
HONOLULU CITY LIGHTS» Where: Honolulu Hale, 530 S. King St. |
The 4-foot-high sculptures of Hawaii’s state fish will be hanging out in the fountain fronting Honolulu Hale (where Santa and Mrs. Claus dip their toes). The triggerfish will shoot timed streams of water as laser lights crisscross across the pool.
“They look almost like glass rods, and a light element goes through. It’s going to be beautiful,” said Sheri Kajiwara, the city’s coordinator of Honolulu City Lights.
The fish are the only new attraction at this year’s event, but returning favorites are sure to entertain.
Saturday’s festivities start at 4 p.m., with food booths and keiki rides — including the popular little train — opening up on the grounds of Honolulu Hale. Food offerings include popcorn, malasadas, cheeseburgers, hot dogs and plate lunches.
The Public Workers Electric Light Parade begins at 6 p.m. at Aala Park, with more than 50 decorated city vehicles, 18 high school marching bands and, of course, Santa! The route ends at Honolulu Hale, where Mayor Kirk Caldwell will light the city’s 65-foot Norfolk pine tree and turn on all the light displays around 6:25 p.m., Kajiwara said.
“That’s always one of those special moments,” she said.
Santa will be available for picture-taking at the Mission Memorial Auditorium from 7:30 to 9 p.m.
After the parade, you can view 22 elaborately decorated trees in the Honolulu Hale courtyard. The annual display, consisting of trees decorated by different city departments, this year has a theme of anime.
WILL WE see some Pokemon, Naruto or maybe even Sailor Moon?
“The departments are pretty hushed about that,” Kajiwara said of this year’s designs. “We’re excited to see what people put together.”
You can also see the entrants in the annual wreath contest at Lane Gallery. This year’s theme is “Blue Hawaiian Holiday.”
The event’s holiday concert, produced by Tom Moffatt, will be held at Sky Gate starting at 7:30 p.m. Acts include Nix Performing Arts Christmas Variety Show, Makua Rothman, Robi Kahakalau and Henry Kapono. Kajiwara said the city expects between 65,000 to 75,000 at Saturday’s festivities, so arrive early.
If you can’t make it or just want to avoid the enormous crowd, the tree and wreath displays will be open from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day through Jan. 1. After opening night, keiki rides resume Tuesday through Dec. 29, from 6 to 10 p.m. And free picture-taking sessions with Santa will be held Dec. 14 and 21 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Gingerbread House in Honolulu Hale.