Thousands trapped in an East Honolulu traffic mess, and the band played on.

The Wednesday night wilding on Kalaniana'ole, when two guys in a stolen van whacked more than a dozen cars, had far-reaching consequences.

Traffic was tied up as far away as Waimanalo because Hawai'i Kai residents figured the fastest way to get home from town was not through but around. Yeah, that works great if you're the only one with that idea, except you never are.

And in the Kaimuki High School auditorium, Niu Middle School's Christmas concert went on even though half the performers never made it to the show.

In Waimanalo, traffic was backed up for miles in both directions. But as frustrated drivers inched along, cursing the large soda they had foolishly picked up in the drive-through, nerves were calmed by spectacular displays of Christmas lights. Never mind Honolulu City Lights. Waimanalo Country Lights are a sight to behold.

The very first house as you reach the edge of town is lovingly decorated with thousands of lights. There are lights on the roof top, lights on the trees, lights on the pau hana pa'ina tent in the back yard. Santa and Mrs. Claus look at the plate glass window. It is a Waimanalo Wonderland. And all along the stretch of homes across the beach, the ones where it looks like they always making party in the garage, the glow of the decorations rivaled the reflection of the moon on the water. Hoo da nice.

For some of the Niu Valley middle school families, that's as good as it got. They turned around and went back home.

Meanwhile, at Kaimuki Auditorium, everyone was on cell phones trying to figure out how far back in traffic their friends and family were.

"They were supposed to start at 6. They stalled for a long time while trying to figure out what was going on," Niu principal John Flynn said.

Only about 10 of the 30 Polynesian Culture students made it to their debut performance. In the orchestra, only about half the musicians made it. One or two arrived after the concert started and crept onstage to join the show. The entire viola section was reduced to a single player.

"They told her to stand up and make it like a solo and she did it," Flynn said. "It was like, wow, pressure, but she did it."

The evening turned into a lesson in "the show must go on."

"That's something you can't plan for, but we're proud of them," Flynn said. "It was impressive. They didn't tell their teachers, 'No way! We're not going on with only half the band!' They just went up there and did it."

Still, Flynn is looking for a "make good" night: He's working on scheduling another concert in January.

As for the Waimanalo lights, that show is ongoing.

Lee Cataluna's column runs Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Reach her at 535-8172 or lcataluna@honoluluadvertiser.com.