Posted on: Saturday, April 28, 2001

Louis Pavao, Hilo's 'Mr. Christmas,' dead at 83

By Hugh Clark
Advertiser Big Island Bureau

HILO, Hawai'i — Louis Pavao, 83, known to many Hilo residents as "Mr. Christmas" for his holiday light displays, was buried yesterday at Hawai'i Veterans Cemetery.

Pavao began creating his Christmas displays at the family's Kaumana Drive home as a memorial to his only son, Randy, who died in 1966 at age 19 in an automobile accident while at college in New Mexico.

The display at first featured simple luminaries — lighted candles placed in paper bags filled with sand. But with Hilo's rain, the candles later were placed into protective jars. The collection grew each year as more lights and religious and secular symbols were added. The Pavaos' house became the scene of traffic jams as thousands made their annual Christmas pilgrimage to see the display.

Daughter Margaret Kua of Albuquerque, N.M., recalls that despite last November's devastating flooding, her dad was out in the yard huffing and puffing from emphysema, making sure the holiday display was up and running before Christmas.

Kua pledged the family would keep the tradition alive.

Pavao, a businessman, community and church leader, and World War II veteran, died April 21 at Hilo Medical Center. He volunteered his time for numerous organizations, including the Civitan Club and ARC.

Son-in-law Clayton Kua said Pavao was the kind of man who would have given "anyone the shirt off his back."

Now, the memory of both Pavao and son Randy will be merged each year at Easter as the front-yard tree is symbolically lighted. In addition, an evergreen tree will be illuminated each Sunday to honor the patriarch.

In addition to his daughter, Pavao is survived by his wife of 55 years, Elsie; another daughter, Muriel Boot of Kona; nine-grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.