Posted on: Friday, December 2, 2005
Holly, jolly holidays
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
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The Bishop Museum hosts Candy Cane Lane, Dec. 16-18.
Advertiser library photos
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Honolulu Dance Theatre's "The Hawaiian Nutcracker" takes the stage at the Paliku Theatre, at Windward Community College, Dec. 16-18.
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The Honolulu City Lights display, on the grounds of Honolulu Hale, will be launched Saturday.
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THE FREEBIES The best things in life are freebies: Open house 5-8 p.m. at Washington Place tonight. Honolulu City Lights, starting Saturday and continuing through Jan. 1. "Island Christmas Concert in the Courtyard, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sheraton Moana Surfrider hotel. Lobby displays, now through the Christmas season, Sheraton Moana Surfrider, Sheraton Princess Kai'ulani, Kahala Mandarin, Hilton Hawaiian Village. "The Christmas Gift of Aloha" show, 6 p.m. nightly except Mondays, at Centerstage, Ala Moana Center. Keiki Holiday Party, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 18, Honolulu Academy of Arts.MOTHBALLED Sorry, these yule events are no more: Festival of Trees. A benefit for 50 years for The Queen's Medical Center, the festival ended last year. However, the Mele Kalikimaka Festival of Trees features 26 7-foot-tall decorated faux Christmas trees for public perusal, continuing 9 a.m.-9 p.m. today and Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, Gentry Pacific Design Center; free. 599-8284. Jingle Bell Run.SOLD OUT Lunch With Santa, noon Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 18, at the Old Spaghetti Factory at Ward Warehouse. |
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This year's Toys For Tots Caravan begins at 10:30 a.m. Sunday from Magic Island and travels to Kapi'olani Community College.
Advertiser library photo
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Ala Moana's holiday train is for kids 12 and younger.
Ala Moana Center
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Honolulu Theatre for Youth actors Daryl Bonilla (front), Aito Steele (on bass) and Nara Cardenas star in "Christmas Talk Story" at Tenney Theatre.
John Lutfey
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The Olomana community parade begins at 2 p.m. Dec. 11.
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Beth Smith, known more famously now as a member of Duane "Dog" Chapman's posse and engaged to marry Chapman, kisses Santa at last year's Waimanalo parade; this year's parade is on Dec. 10.
Advertiser library photo
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So much to do, so little time.
Need some relief from the rigors of holiday shopping, the demands of decorating the Christmas tree, and the trips to the supermarket?
Help is on the way with this list of activities for families, kids and music buffs. Navigate our holiday happenings list here, then make time to explore. Let us put some mele in your Kalikimaka.
O CHRISTMAS TREE
Honolulu City Lights, the glittery holiday celebration, opens at 6 p.m. Saturday at Honolulu Hale. This is the the one thing you gotta visit, stretched out from City Hall on King Street to Alapa'i, from Beretania to Bishop and back along King.
An array of outdoor displays (best at night, of course) can be seen by car, trolley or a walk-through.
City Hall hosts a display of trees and wreaths, too.
The city's Christmas tree is formally lit at 6 p.m. Saturday, followed by a holiday concert at 7:30 p.m. on the lawn. A parade on King Street precedes the festivities. Free. City Lights continues through Jan. 1.
With Mayor Mufi Hannemann keen on establishing Kapolei as a "second city," there will be a Kapolei City Lights, too, from 5 p.m. Dec. 10 at Kapolei Hale, with music, an electric light parade, and a tree-lighting at 7:30 p.m. Decorations will be on view through Jan. 4.
BALLET HIGH
Three "Nutcracker" productions, plus a Hawaiian-themed adaptation, highlight the dance scene. See one, or see all:
Ballet Hawaii's lavish rendering is at 8 p.m. Dec. 16, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17 and 2 p.m. Dec. 18, Blaisdell Concert Hall. The Honolulu Symphony plays the suite; new sets by Peter Dean Beck, exquisite costumes by Anne Namba add allure. Tickets: $25, $40, and $60, at the box office and Ticketmaster locations. Call (877) 750-4400 or go to www.ticketmaster .com. Opening-night gala with pre-show dinner at the concert hall is $150; call 521-8600.
Hawaii Ballet Theatre's 25th anniversary version is at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10 and 17, 4 p.m. Dec. 11 and 18, Leeward Community College Theatre. Tickets: $25 general, $20 ages 12 and younger, over 60 and military; $12 students (at evening shows). Sugarplum Tea follows matinees; coffee and hot chocolate served after evening shows. Call 456-8100 or email hbtnut@hawaii.rr.com.
Hawaii State Ballet's perennial will be at 7 p.m. Dec. 9 and 16, 2:30 and 7 p.m. Dec. 10 and 17, 6 p.m. Dec. 11 (sold out) and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 11 and 18, at Mamiya Theatre, Saint Louis School. Tickets: $16, $20 and $24. Call 947-2755 or 783-2747.
Honolulu Dance Theatre's "Hawaiian Nutcracker Ballet," which places the traditional story in the time of the Hawaiian monarchy, will be staged at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17 and 2 p.m. Dec. 18 at Paliku Theatre, Windward Community College Theatre. Tickets: $24 general, $20 seniors and military, $18 children. Visit www.honoluludancetheatre.com or call 235-7433.
HOLIDAY MUSIC
Imagine Christmas without music ... unthinkable! So experience something tuneful:
"Merry Christmas With Friends and Nabors," with Jim Nabors launching the Island Christmas season, unfolds at 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Hawai'i Theatre.
Gollee, this is Honolulu's version of the Radio City Music Hall extravaganza. Nabors' performing 'ohana includes Jimmy Borges, Karen Keawehawai'i, Emma Veary, Philip Huber and the Huber Marionettes, plus the newly reorganized Hawai'i Theatre Orchestra, conducted by Matt Catingub (and featuring many symphony troupers). For variety, stir in The Company Singers, the Diamond Head Shooting Stars and Hula Hui O Kapunahala O Nu'uanu. Tickets: $25, $45, $55, $75, at the box office. Call 528-0506 or visit hawaiitheatre.com.
"Island Christmas Concert in the Courtyard," 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Sheraton Moana Surfrider hotel, assembles some stellar local faves — like Da Tita, Melveen Leed; balladeer Danny Couch, fresh from his Chicago Thanksgiving Day parade appearance; Waikiki veteran Jerry Santos; and Hawaiiana advocates Kanilau. Free. Call 922-3111.
The Brothers Cazimero, Robert and Roland, continue their seasonal serenades with the Honolulu Symphony at 8 p.m. Dec. 9 and 10 and 4 p.m. Dec. 11 at Blaisdell Concert Hall. Expect to hear small-kid time faves, along with Hawaiian and traditional holiday classics. Matt Catingub conducts the Symphony Pops. Tickets: $40, $50, $60, $75, $90, at the symphony box office. Call 792-2000, or visit honolulusymphony.com.
Handel's "Messiah" will be part of an O'ahu Civic Orchestra program at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10 at Star of the Sea Church, 4469 Malia St. Soloist Neva Rego and the Hawai'i Ecumenical Chorale will be featured; the orchestra will be conducted by Aaron Mahi, Norma Parado and Roy Yanagida. A spaghetti dinner also is on tap. Tickets: $25 general, $5 children. Call Margaret Miner, 737-8591.
Neil Sedaka, the lone out-of-town celebrity in concert here, stars in an acoustic Christmas show at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16 at the Hawai'i Theatre. With his debut holiday CD, "The Miracle of Christmas," just out, he'll share new and popular holiday fare. Tickets: $25, $37.50 and $45 at the box office. Call 528-0506 or visit hawaiitheatre.com.
Christmas concert, at 7 p.m. Dec. 17 and 18 at the Honolulu Tabernacle, 1560 S. Beretania St. The presentation of the Honolulu Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints features the adult Concert Choir and Concert Orchestra, the Youth Choir and the Children's Choir. Free. Call 948-6866 or 732-5797.
"A Gift for All of You," a brainchild of The Makaha Sons, unfolds at 5 p.m. Dec. 18 at the Hawai'i Theatre. The Sons won't be performing, but a lot of their allies will — Na Palapalai, Sonny Ching and Halau Na Mamo O Pu'uanahulu, Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom, Na Kama, Hoku Zuttermeister, Robi Kahakalau, Barry Kimokeo with Bernard Kalua and Alika Odom, and Jordan Segundo. Tickets: $35, at the box office. Call 528-0506 or go to hawaiitheatre.com.
"Feel the Spirit of Christmas," with Na Leo (Nalani Choy, Lehua Kalima Heine, Angela Morales), at 8 p.m. Dec. 22, Blaisdell Concert Hall. Hear their harmonic group sound; perhaps they'll explore their "new" solo voices as well. Tickets: $28, $38, $48 and $68, at the box office and Ticketmaster locations. Call (877) 750-4400, visit ticketmaster.com.
SHOW BITS
For fantasy, reflection and humor, community shows hit the mark:
"The Christmas Gift of Aloha," a 30-minute revue by 'Ohia Productions, brings to life the book by Lisa Matsumoto and Michael Furuya at 6 p.m. daily (except Mondays) at Centerstage, Ala Moana Center. Keiki can ride Santa's illuminated sleigh — along with characters from the show — in a parade at 7 p.m. on the mall level. Free.
"Christmas Talk Story," a montage of locally written holiday remembrances from a child's perspective, has become a landmark Honolulu Theatre for Youth tradition. It plays at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays and 4:30 p.m. Sundays, now through Dec. 18, at Tenney Theatre, St. Andrew's Cathedral.
Actors Daryl Bonilla, Nara Cardenas and Aito Steele interpret nine stories that perpetuate the Islands' holiday spirit. The tales are by Megan Chock, Sara Wynhoff, Sean T.C. O'Malley, Rochelle DelaCruz, Yokanaan Kearns, Diane Aoki, Linda Tagawa, Lee Tonouchi and Bonilla. Eric Johnson has tweaked the tales into a single act. Lina Doo conducts the music. Tickets: $16 general, $8 children. Call 839-9885.
"The SantaLand Diaries," David Sedaris' hilarious tale, plays at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 8 p.m. Dec. 9-10 and 4 p.m. Dec. 11 at Manoa Valley Theatre. The one-man show features Andrew Meader as a Macy's SantaLand Christmas elf in an un-PC take on ferocious moms, screaming kids and holiday humbugs. Tickets: $20. Call 988-6131 or go to manoavalleytheatre.com.
ALL ABOARD!
Whee! Keiki can ride Santa's sleigh or a candy cane train:
Santa's helpers guide a train ride at 7 p.m. daily (except Mondays), through Dec. 23, at the mall level near Centerstage, Ala Moana Center. Free.
A 30-foot train, inspired by the holiday show "The Christmas Gift of Aloha," choo-choos through Ala Moana Center. Kids 12 and younger can catch a ride from 10 a.m. daily through Jan. 1. Tickets: $6; buy at the train depot on the mall level, for same-day rides.
A holiday train will provide rides at Bishop Museum's Candy Cane Lane event Dec. 16-18. See Kidstuff.
The Pearlridge Express, a scale-model mini-locomotive, offers rides through toyland for keiki under 48 inches tall. Daily through Jan. 1, at Pearlridge Uptown.
Adults and kids might consider the Holly Jolly Trolley Ride and Dancing, 7:30-10:30 p.m. Dec. 10, including a Honolulu City Lights tour and dance party with pupu. Meet at Dream to Dance, 661 Auahi St., No. 201. Reservations required; $35. Call Debby Borges at 734-0264 or 372-5574.
For those who want the Honolulu City Lights Trolley Tour, a 30-minute outing Sunday-Dec. 30 (none Dec. 24 and 25), pre-sale tickets ($3.50) are at Ward Warehouse (the Hawaii Foodbank table, near Chowder House). Keiki 3 and younger are free if sitting on an adult lap.
AHOY, THERE
Want a holiday parade — on the water? See-worthy:
The 9th Annual Festival of Lights Boat Parade, at dusk Dec. 10 in the Koko Marina waterways, will pass three shopping complexes — Koko Marina Shopping Center, Hawai'i Kai Shopping Center and Hawai'i Kai Towne Center. The decorated boats will be judged by Nainoa Thompson, Kathy Muneno, City Councilman Charles Djou, Katie O'Neil and Bruce Spencer. Mike Buck emcees. Free.
Hawai'i Yacht Club Christmas Boat Parade, starting at the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 10, will pass through Honolulu Harbor, arriving at Aloha Tower Marketplace at about 6:20 p.m. Free.
KIDSTUFF
Options for the wee ones:
Candy Cane Lane fun unfolds 5:30-9 p.m. Dec. 16, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Dec. 17 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 18 on Bishop Museum's Great Lawn. Craft booths offer toys, jewelry, snacks and stocking stuffers; a make-and-take workshop has create-your-own gift opportunities. Santa visits in the evening; tykes can take a train ride. Tickets: $3; some activities charge a nominal fee. Information: 847-3511 or visit bishopmuseum.org.
Breakfast With Santa (lunch, too!), 8:30-10:30 a.m. and noon-2 p.m. Dec. 10 and 11, will be held at the Manoa Grand Ballroom, Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i. Besides the fella in the red suit, cartoon critters such as Winnie-the-Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Elmo, Barney, Taz, Bugs Bunny, Tweety and Sylvester will appear. Tickets: $18 (free for keiki under 2), includes the meal, photo with Santa, games and gift, plus music (for moms and dads) by Imua, the Opihi Pickers and Vaihi. Prevent Child Abuse Hawai'i is sponsor. Call 440-4613.
Santa's Secret Workshop, for kids 5 to 10, is a presentation of the Hawai'i Children's Discovery Center, 1-3:30 p.m. Dec. 10 and 11 in the Special Events Room at Macy's Ala Moana. Mrs. Claus reads a story, keiki can take photos with Santa and decorate gingerbread cookies. Tickets: $30, includes a snack and a gift. Visit discoverycenterhawaii.org or call 524-5437.
Keiki Christmas Party, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 18 at the Honolulu Academy of Arts, is part of Bank of Hawaii's Free Sunday series. Make-and-take projects, games, a gallery hunt, a puppet show and music await. There will be cookies and punch, and yes, a Santa visit.
IT TAKES A VILLAGE
Experience the glory of gingerbread at Easter Seals' 6th Annual Gingerbread Festival, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 11 at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall. Make your own gingerbread house — $29 for a 7"x8"x7" house, $49 for a 9"x10"x 10" house. You can build on site, or get a take-home kit.
Napoleon's Bakery created the pre-cut gingerbread; the kit includes icing, pastry bags and candy for decoration — you add your creative touches. On-site builders will have two hours to assemble. Chef Alan Wong is a co-presenter with Easter Seals and he and his elves will be on hand to provide guidance. Call 536-1015.
On the Neighbor Islands: Kaua'i festival, Dec. 10 at Kuku'i Grove Shopping Center; Hilo, Dec. 11 at the Hongwanji Sangha Hall; Maui, Dec. 11 at the Grand Wailea resort.
SOLDIER BOYS
The King's Guard, that drill-team-precise crew at King's Village in Waikiki, will present holiday mini-shows at 6:15 p.m. Dec. 17 and 18. In addition to the customary Changing of the Guard ritual and rifle team exhibition, guards will don toy soldier uniforms to perform to the music of "March of the Wooden Soldiers." It's a tradition dating back to 1987. Free.
RARE OPPORTUNITIES
Something different:
It's not every day that you can visit Washington Place, but here's rare chance. From 5 to 8 p.m. today, a holiday open house at the venerable museum (and former home of Hawai'i governors), features Christmas carols by Hawai'i Opera Theatre singers, a display of Victorian Christmas trees in the upstairs chambers and a chance to ogle the banister and some rooms of the historic site. Free. Bring photo ID for entrance.
The 14th annual deaf Santa event, providing a deaf and signing Santa for the deaf and hard-of-hearing, will be held 10 a.m.-noon Dec. 15 at Pearlridge Uptown. Free.
COMMUNITY PARADES
Remaining holiday parades in your neighborhood:
Wahiawa parade, 6:30-8 p.m. today, from Ka'ala Elementary School to California Avenue to North Cane Street, ending on Center Street.
Kane'ohe parade, 9-10:30 a.m. Saturday, from Windward Mall at Haiku Road to Kamehameha Highway to Kane'ohe Bay Drive, ending at Castle High School.
Wai'anae parade, 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, from Wai'anae Boat Harbor to Farrington Highway, ending at Wai'anae Mall.
North Shore parade, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, from Pupukea Road and Kamehameha Highway, ending at Swanzy Beach Park.
Honolulu City Lights parade, from 6 p.m. Saturday, from 'A'ala Park on King Street, passing in front of Honolulu Hale, ending at South Street.
Toys for Tots caravan, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Sunday, from Magic Island to Ala Moana to Kalakaua Avenue to Monsarrat Avenue, ending at Kapi'olani Community College.
Pearl City parade, 4-5 p.m. Sunday, from Momilani Elementary to Ho'oki'eki'e Street to Holomoana to Ho'olaulea Street, ending at Pearl City Shopping Center.
Kapahulu-Mo'ili'ili parade, 6:30-8 p.m. Dec. 8, from Kuhio Elementary School to King Street, University Avenue, Beretania Street, Isenberg Street, ending at Old Stadium Park.
Hale'iwa parade, 6-7:30 p.m. Dec. 9, from Weed Circle to Kamehameha Highway, through Hale'iwa town, ending at Hale'iwa Beach Park.
Gentry Waipi'o parade, 10-11:30 a.m. Dec. 10, from Gentry Waipi'o Shopping Center, to Waipi'o Uka Street, Uke'e Street, Ka Uka Boulevard, Waipi'o Uka Street, ending at Waipi'o Shopping Center.
Waimanalo parade, 10-11:30 a.m. Dec. 10, from Waimanalo District Park to Kakai'ana Street, to Ma'ahilua Street to Kumuhau Street, Humuniki Street, Kalaniana'ole Highway, ending at Waimanalo Beach Park.
Waipahu parade, 3-4:30 p.m. Dec. 10, from Waipahu District Park to Paiwa Street, Farrington Highway, Pupukahi Street, Waipahu Street, Leoku Street, ending at Leolua Street.
'Ewa Beach parade, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Dec. 10, from 'Ilima Intermediate School to Fort Weaver Road, Kuhia Street, Hanakahi Street, North Road, Fort Weaver Road, ending at 'Ilima Intermediate.
Kapolei parade, 6-7:30 p.m. Dec. 10, from Kapolei Fairgrounds at Kealanani Avenue to Farrington Highway, to Kamokila Boulevard to Uluohia Street, ending at Kapolei Hale.
Manoa parade, 6-7:30 p.m. Dec. 10, from Noelani School to Woodlawn Drive, Kolowalu Street, East Manoa Road, Lowrey Avenue, Manoa Road, ending at Manoa Park.
Olomana parade, 2-3:30 p.m. Dec. 11, from Maunawili Elementary School to Ulupii Street, Ulupuni Street, Uluohao Street, Uluhala Street, Ulupuni Street, Ulukou Street, ending at Maunawili Elementary.
Kapolei parade, 3-5:30 p.m. Dec. 17, from Kapolei High School to Malu Ohai Street, Kai'au Avenue, Kamanaha Avenue, Kealanani Avenue, Farrington Highway, Kamolika Boulevard, ending at Consolidated Amusement lot.
Makakilo parade, 6-7:30 p.m. Dec. 17, from Pueonani Street and Makakilo Drive to Ala Hoi Street, Hunekai Street, Kikaha Street, Makakilo Drive, Makamai Loop, Makakilo Drive, Panana Street, Makakilo Drive, Nohohale Street, ending at Palailai Street and Makakilo Drive.
Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.
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