Posted on: Sunday, December 8, 2002

Take a break from the hustle and bustle to enjoy holiday lights

By Zenaida Serrano Espanol
Advertiser Staff Writer

On Neleau Place in Mililani, this home's theme comes from the Disney movie "Lilo & Stitch." Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

Glance at your holiday to-do list: Choose perfect picture for photo greeting cards. Figure out which darned light bulb is throwing off the entire string of lights. Mail package of macadamia nuts to Uncle Frank in San Francisco. And that's just the easy stuff.

Feeling overwhelmed?

Breathe. Take a break from the dreaded chores that only come up around this time of year and take advantage of the simpler joys of the holidays, like those beautifully decorated and lighted homes, complete with all sorts of feel-good Christmasy themes.

So go out for a drive. In fact, take a looong drive. The Advertiser has compiled its annual list of must-see displays to make the holiday sight-seeing a bit easier for both veteran and first-time seekers.

Most of those listed are regulars who have pulled out their oldies but goodies, while others have updated their displays with a new animated Santa here or an inflatable snowman there. A common addition to many lighted collections is Disney's recent animated creations, Lilo and Stitch.

The Yamaguchis of Waipahu, for example, have added the pair to the growing group of 250 cartoon characters spectacularly sprawled throughout their traditionally mammoth holiday exhibit.

Over in Mililani, all families on the Neleau Place cul-de-sac have teamed up again to light up the neighborhood. Homes have been dolled up with traditional seasonal favorites, like Santas and reindeer, as well as various character themes, including Lilo and Stitch, and SpongeBob SquarePants.

Some families are taking things a step further by welcoming guests indoors to check out their decor: The Yamaguchis are allowing visitors to view their international Christmas village, and Margaret Cummings of Wai'anae encourages guests to see her seven themed Christmas trees, Christmas village and 30 chandeliers. The Kaneakuas of Waimanalo are even offering hungry onlookers of their fancied abode baked goods and other snacks (while supplies last).

So step away from the season's hustle and bustle and take a leisurely drive to find the merriest displays on the island.

You may even find the true meaning of Christmas while you're roaming out there. Happy hunting!

Downtown

• The 18th annual Honolulu City Lights are on display throughout downtown nightly through Jan. 5. The theme is "Na Mele Kalikimaka" ("The Songs of Christmas"). The tree and wreath displays inside Honolulu Hale can be viewed 8 a.m.-11 p.m. daily.
• Bishop Square has switched on about 200,000 lights, which are strung through the trees of Tamarind Park.

Punchbowl

• 1553 Miller St. Lindy Franca and family have more than 100 figurines, including Santa and his reindeer, a snowman, a five-foot wreath, a nativity scene, Disney characters, a drummer boy, penguins, elves, carolers and more.

Pauoa

• 2331 Booth Road. Noble Ing and family — sons Darryl and Darwin and daughter Darlene Ching — are back to present a display with patriotic and religious themes, as well as a winter wonderland section. Visitors can play "Where's Waldo?" and find the hidden Waldo among the decorations, which include cartoon characters from "Peanuts," "Sesame Street" and others.

Kapalama

• 1420 Kapalama Ave. Visitors to John and Isabel Silva's home will find a new sleigh with lights. There will also be penguins, a Hawaiian Santa, a snowman, elves, reindeer, as well as a gingerbread house, gingerbread train, tree and lighted wreath, and a lighted display with a nativity scene.

Kalihi

• 1525 Bernice St. The Bishop Museum presents a winter wonderland with the Grand Festival of Lights, 6-9 nightly through Dec. 28 on the lawn. The event features 20 giant light sculptures including Christmas trees, a drumming soldier, a nine-foot waving snowman and volcanoes, as well as lots of holiday activities for the entire family. There will also be a Luminarium, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily Dec. 14 through Jan. 5. The 12,000-square-foot and 30-foot-high exhibit is a sculpture that visitors can walk through, with gigantic columns and bright passageways, all bathed in multicolored lights. Admission is $5 for the festival and the Luminarium, free for children 3 and younger. Information: 847-3511.

Manoa

• 2672 Lowrey Ave. This year, the Allen family continues its holiday decorating tradition that started 25 years ago with a display that features various Disney and Warner Bros. characters, nativity scene, Santa and Mrs. Claus, Frosty, elves, carolers and a polar bear. The family, longtime donors for the Blood Bank, have also included a plug for giving blood as part of their Christmas message. Lights are on 6-9 nightly.

McCully

• 723 Hau'oli St. Animated singing elves and gingerbread houses are among the new attractions at the home of Stanette and Raphael Vares Jr. Back again are Santa and the missus, Santa's Christmas Countdown, a mechanical rocking horse and a bow display with working elves. There's also an antique lighted hanging ornament and a nativity scene with choir boys.

Waikiki

• 2181 Kalakaua Ave. After five years, "Allantown" has outgrown Allan Wallace's lanai at The Kalia, so the 31 miniature structures that were all built from scratch have been moved to the lobby of the First Hawaiian Bank Waikiki branch. See the display through Jan. 3.
• 2421 Ala Wai Blvd., Apt. 1401. The lanai of Richard Larson brightens up with a Santa, "Merry Christmas" in lights, a rope light and more.

Kapahulu

• 854 Lukepane Ave. Roger Mitchell presents his annual display of animated figures: elves, Hawaiian family snowmen, a drummer boy, carolers, Santa and the missus, Santa on skates, and Mitchell's newest addition, Santa with a jet plane. There's also a nativity scene and Santa village.

Kaimuki

• 1248 Wilhelmina Rise. Phil Akau has brought back his arrangement of lights, a Santa, Frosty the Snowman, Christmas stockings and other decorations.

Hawai'i Kai

• 954 Maniniholo St. Alan Hughgill presents his annual lawn arrangement with reindeer, a nativity scene, snowmen and Santas.
• •Kaumakani St. Mike Wakita's home at 526 has 10,000 lights on display (weather permitting). And at 530, Walter Tanaka's home is adorned with a red, white and blue "Peace on Earth" sign, American flag, two doves, illuminated trees, Santa train, and four bells with ribbons on them.
• 428 Kawaihae St. Lights are on until 9 nightly at the Hawai'i Kai Retirement Community. Cookies will be served while supplies last. Information: 396-0720.

Waimanalo

• 41-310 Kawahine Place. Kamaka and Tiga Kaneakua began this tradition 18 years ago for the kids; now Hawn, Rambo and Ha'o pitch in, covering the house with brick-design corrugated paper and stringing it with lights. Disney characters fill the yard, as well as candles, colored palm trees, toy soldiers, Mr. and Mrs. Claus, a manger, sculptures and an inflatable Santa and snowman. The family will also offer baked goods and other snacks to onlookers while supplies last. See the display 6:30-10 nightly through Jan. 3, weather permitting.

Kailua

• 310 Manono St. Lani and Gabriel Joaquin Jr. will outline their fence, trees and porch rails with strings of lights. Also look for a Santa, reindeer, dwarf and drummer boy in their yard, and three homemade Christmas trees on the roof of their garage.
• 409 Kaimake Loop. Lighted reindeer, candy canes and a multicolored tree welcome visitors to the home of Rob and Debbie McWilliams. There will also be messages in lights, including "Merry Christmas" and "Peace on Earth," on their roof.
• 972 Holoholo St. Clyde Pearce has set reindeer on the roof and icicles around the perimeter; down below there's also a 15-foot candy cane, soldiers, a manger, Christmas tree and a pine forest, with Pooh characters in the window and a fireplace outside. New this year is an archway over the garage with icicles, garland and colored lights.
• 1303 'Akele St. Mauliola Aspelund and her family present life-size papier-mache figures: Mrs. Claus, Santa, Rudolph, elves, Frosty the Snowman, Jack Frost, drummer boy and ice skater. Look for the lighted sleigh team and reindeer in the yard.

Lanikai

• 215 Ka'elepulu Drive. For more than 40 years, Richard and Dawn Freeman have treated their neighbors to an elaborate display that includes a waving Santa on their roof, "Roscoe" the seven-foot snowman in their yard and a Christmas village complete with a working train, all in a shed beside their home. The living room, kitchen and bedroom windows will also be aglow with various lights and animated figures.
• 150 Haokea Drive. Lights glow along the driveway, on the rooftop and throughout the shower tree and yard of Kalani and Sue Lynn Louis-Soares. Their display includes drummer boys, Santa, reindeer, a nativity scene and assorted Disney characters.

Kane'ohe

• 45-602 Pilipaa St. It's lights galore at Dawson and Sophia Davis' home. Stringed lights outline the house, driveway and walkway, as well as shrubs and a tree. Also look for lighted reindeer and other figures on the lawn and house, respectively.
• 45-229 Nakulu'ai St. Paul Vause's lighted house and yard is home to handmade painted plywood cutouts, including new arrivals Spiderman, Lilo and Stitch. Joining them are characters from "Monster's, Inc.," "Shrek," "Harry Potter," "Pokemon," Rug Rats," Precious Moments, various Disney movies and more.
• 46-201 'Ohala St. Andrea Rodrigues-Gum and her dad, Mel Rodrigues, have nearly two dozen lighted signs and decorations throughout their home. There's also a train set in the front yard and a collection of other decor, including a six-foot inflatable bear, Disney characters, drummer boys, a Tasmanian Devil Santa, Tigger, a nativity scene with angels, Snoopy Santa, Santa Bear, soldiers, candy canes and more.
• Wena Street. Several houses on this street will be glowing by mid-month, showcasing toyland schemes and a range of holiday and cartoon figures.
• Namoku Street. Several homes on this street are getting into the holiday spirit, including Lois and Kimo Lake's annual wonderland at 45-365, which features an eight-foot Santa, festive deer, ornaments and a Santa Snoopy helming a boat.
• 45-611 Pu'ohala St. William Vogel has icicle lights on the eaves and more lights on the fence and windows of his home. There's a manger scene, as well as lots of Santas.
• 45-440 'Ihilani St. Judy Mauhili's home will have tube lights spelling out greetings and forming many holiday shapes, including trees, Santa and a snowman tipping his hat. Among other decorations: a lighted American flag handmade by her son, Eugene Jr., as well as Santas, a multicolored Christmas tree, lawn reindeer, drummer boys and lights in the plantings.
• 1116 Grote Road. Although the DePonte family of Waipahu will not be putting up their famous lighting exhibit, which they've done for more than three decades, on the other side of the island, the Maxilom family hopes to carry on at least part of the tradition; they purchased about 40 of the DePonte's nearly 300 cartoon cutouts. The lighted figures, all in the Maxilom's yard, include characters from "Toy Story," "Little Mermaid," "Barney," "Sesame Street" and "Rug Rats." Also look for a manger and Santa Claus on a rocking chair.

'Ahuimanu

• Hui Koloa Place. There are few undecorated windows on this street (visiting "Christmas Lane" is a Windward tradition.)

Waipahu

• Lianu Place. The traditionally mammoth display of Wilfred and Annette Yamaguchi at 94-450 features about 250 cartoon characters, including their newest addition, Lilo and Stitch, and more than 10,000 lights. The family has also opened their home for visitors to see their international Christmas village; different rooms in the house is decorated with a country theme, such as America, Morocco, Japan and Sweden. Open house is 7-10 p.m. through the new year. Next door at 94-444, the Yamaguchi's daughter, Charmaine Nabor, celebrates the 20th anniversary of her own display, which carries a Care Bears theme.
• 94-313 Kiokio Place. Now in their 12th year decorating, Loretta Domingo and family will deck the halls with thousands of lights and about 100 cartoon characters, including creatures from "Shrek," "Monsters Inc.," "South Park," "A Bug's Life," "Power Puff Girls" and "Lilo & Stitch." Hours: 7-10 nightly, weather permitting.
• 94-1108 Kahuamo St. A sleigh with reindeer and a five-foot star decorate the roof of Sammy and Cora Cortez's home, along with six flags, "God Bless America" and "Peace on Earth" signs, Minnie and Mickey, Santa on a donkey, a dancing Santa, nativity scene, Ferris wheel, Santa village, a merry-go-round and bout 9,000 lights. There's also an animated Santa climbing a ladder on the garage.
• 94-449 'Ikepono St. More than 5,000 lights surround the Disney and Cartoon Network characters at Roy and Lisa Featheran's home. Among the figures: Aladdin and Jasmine, Genie, Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Peter Pan, Simba and Nala, Mufasa, Hercules and Meg, Johnny Bravo, Power Puff Girls, IR and Weasel, as well as a train display.
• 94-1033 Lumi St. Otelia Pate decorated the trees in her yard, house and window with lights and ornaments. She's used her own clothes to dress a Mrs. Santa figure in the garage. There are characters from Disney and Peanuts, a lighted reindeer, snowman, and multiple Santas.

'Ewa Beach

• 91-1541 Keonekapu St. The top floor of this home is illuminated, adding to the display Etta Moiha and her mother Marion Lassiter have created. There's an eight-foot snowman on the roof and a five-foot Santa in the carport. Visitors also will find an assembly of wooden cartoon characters, Santa and Mrs. Claus, animated dolls, Christmas trees, a nativity scene, and a winter village Lassiter built.
• 91-1035 Mana'opa'a St. Jerry Jucha's house is trimmed in blue lights.

Makakilo

• Aka'ula Street. About a dozen houses on this block are decorated, including the home of Barb Hall and Mary Fouste at 92-372. They have icicle lights, nene geese, a mechanical reindeer and a stationary one that children can sit on, a snowman and Santa. Many neighbors have displays to rival theirs. Harold and Donna Martin at 92-366 have Santa flying with reindeer and their entire carport glowing with lights. Also look for moose, reindeer, a snowman family, Christmas trees, angels and a cross.
• Palailai Street. At 92-666, multicolored lights brighten Alfred and Lori Lopez' home. They will add Pokemon, "Lion King" characters, Snow White and lots more to the front yard. At 92-677, the home of Richard and Lisa Cabane and Chanell and Kaycha Maramba is decked out with a nativity set, Santa, snowman, elves, reindeer and many more decorations.

Kapolei

• 91-1049 Keokolo St. At their home in Kekuilani Villages, Greg and Ann Piamonte have decorated with a nativity scene, lighted reindeer, wooden cutouts, the Seven Dwarfs, soldier boys, a snowman and more.

Nanakuli

• 89-089 'Aone Place. Al and Becky Ayau have dolled up their home with lights and their yard with cartoon characters, reindeer and Christmas trees.
• 87-1029-A Hakimo Road. Bob and Julie Herodias have erected more than 200 lighted figures and 10,000 lights around their home, featuring a nativity scene, North Pole scene, Disney and Winnie the Pooh displays, and more. Lights are on 6:30-10 nightly through Dec. 26.

Wai'anae

• 85-1257 Kamaile'unu St. Margaret Cummings welcomes visitors indoors 7-10:30 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays and until 11:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Christmas. Among the sights: the 30 chandeliers Cummings' late husband made, seven Christmas trees with various themes, a train set, nativity scene, life-sized mechanical Santa, a Christmas village and lots more. Outside, their lighted display of characters include Genie from "Aladdin," Mickey and Minnie, Barney, and a Pegasus and sleigh. The highlight is Santa in a sleigh being pulled by reindeer, a display that's about 27 feet off the ground.

'Aiea

• 98-1603 Ka'ahumanu St. Misti Benoza's decor includes Mickey Mouse and Goofy, an angel scene, and a decorated tree in the yard. Look for the train and the mechanical figures in the window.
• Ho'olaua'e Street. Around the corner from the Benoza residence, two homes are worth a look. John Matias (and grandsons Kingsley, Kash, Kasey, Justin and Jonathan) decorated the yard and house at 98-1616 with 10,000 lights, Disney and "Sesame Street" characters, Care Bears, a snow family, nativity scene, 32 lighted Santas, a Norfolk Island pine and patriotic wreaths. At 98-1649, Billy Malama has a wrought-iron American flag edged in lights. Also look for a whale, "Blues Clues" and "Lion King" characters, little snails and a rabbit amid the old-standby volcano, star, monkey, Diamond Head, alligator, dolphin, owl, Pegasus, Barney, a pond with fish and duck, poinsettias, gorilla, pig, a crescent moon and much more.
• 'Auhau Place. If you're in 'Aiea, drop by this short street, where a few neighbors decorate each year. It might be wise to wait a week for the full effect.
• 99-160 Holo Place. This is the 22nd year Warren Wegesend has set out his lights, nativity scene and multitude of cartoon cutouts, including Snow White, Ariel from "The Little Mermaid" and many more.
• 99-149 Kulina St. The Andres family has lighted their home inside and out. Look for Santa and penguins in the window.

Pearl City

• 98-1297 Ho'ohuali Place. The 26th annual display of Francis and Estrella Aki will take on the theme, "A Keiki Wonderland." Nearly a dozen members of the Aki family have put together a kiddie land complete with cartoon favorites Mickey and Minnie, Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, and Snoopy, as well as holiday regulars Santa Claus, Frosty, reindeer and several Christmas trees. As a tribute to the military, the Akis also have soldiers standing at attention, a drummer, Christmas trees in red, white and blue, and the American flag. See the display 6-10 nightly through Jan. 1.

Mililani

• 95-533 Wailoa Loop. John "Freddy" and Gwen Torres added many new items to the family's 38-year collection: Lilo and Stitch, Scooby Doo, the Power Puff Girls, Dora the Explorer, Stuart Little, Spiderman and more are among the add-ons in their yard display. They also have a growing collecting of 100 moving dolls and a life-size nativity scene on the roof that overlooks the entire display with thousands of lights. Hours: 6:30-9 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays and until 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
• Neleau Place. All nine families of this quaint cul-de-sac have joined together again to illuminate their homes (and the neighborhood) with traditional seasonal favorites, like Santas and reindeer, as well as various character themes, including Lilo and Stitch, Spiderman, and SpongeBob SquarePants. Other cartoon characters will also make an appearance, like Pokemon and Scooby Doo.

Hale'iwa

• 66-412 Hale'iwa Road. Inside Randy's Silvershears Salon, four booths will be decked out thanks to owners Randy and Mary Chun. See a blue, white and silver tribute to New York and 9/11, Mardi Gras and nativity scenes, and green- and silver-themed Christmas presents.

Hau'ula

• 54-250 Honomu St. Cecelia L. Silva promises visitors "shimmering lights, dolls that dazzle and all that glitters."