Posted on: Friday, December 13, 2002

How to light up the season: Let us count the ways ...

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

As if you haven't already noticed ... it's beginning to look, and sound, a lot like Christmas.

The mall Santas are a-buzz, with youngsters feigning good behavior as they sound off their wish lists. While Mom and Dad face the parking dilemma head-on, or ponder the tree-or-not-to-tree question, perhaps the frustrations of the season may be eased in the days ahead by thinking and doing fun and festive things.

What the heck, today's Friday the 13th, so let's count the ways — all the way up to a baker's dozen — to make the season brighter:

1 — Numbah one way

The Honolulu Boy Choir will be performing at various hotels, with a Christmas Day concert at the Royal Hawaiian.

The Honolulu Boy Choir, cherubs who sound like angels, are worth seeking out; the lads give free holiday concerts at various hotels. Its showcase event, however, is the Christmas Night gala Dec. 25 at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel's Monarch Room. In that environment, the boys are at their pinnacle. And the tune to wait for is "Numbah One Day of Christmas," the localized version, complete with hand and facial animation, of the perennial "Twelve Days of Christmas."

Cost: $65 for dinner, $35 for cocktails.

923-7311.

2 — Aloha Kalikimaka

The Makaha Sons will provide musical gifts in their annual holiday sing-out, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 22 at the Pacific Ballroom of the Renaissance 'Ilikai Waikiki Hotel. Doors open at 5 p.m.; a buffet dinner will be be served. Louis "Moon" Kauakahi, John Koko and Jerome Koko will be joined by Keali'i Reichel, Chinky Mahoe and Halau Hula O' Kawaili'ula and Rodney Villanueva.

Cost: $48, includes buffet; $24 for youths ages 5 to 10; $100 platinum tables available, includes prime seating and gift from the Sons.

944-6372.

3 — Vegas-style gambol

"I'm Dreaming of a Las Vegas Christmas," a Las Vegas-style celebration produced by Local Kine Grindz and others, is both a luncheon and dinner outing — you pick your time — today at the Ko'olau Golf Club. Fore!

Lunch seating is from 11 a.m. ($35), dinner from 6 p.m. ($50).

Of course, Bruddah Sam and Lina Girl, from Oceanic 16's Local Kine Grindz, will be there, plus Davey D from Overdrive Live; Sean Na'auao will perform both daytime and nighttime (remember, he has a new Christmas CD out), with Five by 5 slated for a night slot, too.

A casino floor will be open (you must be 18 or older), offering Vegas-style games without the hard-core gambling. At least you don't have to pay airfare or hotel tariffs — and you get a chance at winning a Vegas trip.

236-4653, ext. 241.

4 — Afloat and aglow

Ahoy there. We know of two holiday boat parades tomorrow, so take your pick:

"A Hawaiian Kine Christmas" begins at 5:30 p.m., fronting the Hawai'i Yacht Club Aloha Dock; the decorated and lighted boats will cruise past Waikiki and the Ala Moana waterfront down to Honolulu Harbor (Pier 9), arriving around 6:20 p.m. The Hawai'i Yacht Club is the sponsor. Free.

949-4622, ext. 10.

"Festival of Lights: Christmas Boat Parade," from 5 p.m. along the Hawai'i Kai marina, taps area boaters in their annual deck-the-decks parade. Good viewing from the Koko Marina Shopping Center's Bell tower, where entertainment continues till 7 p.m. Free.

395-4737.

5 — Out of Africa

A Kwanzaa Celebration will be held Dec. 27 and 28 at the Honolulu Academy of Arts; it's a cultural tradition with roots in Africa. The celebration, tapping the African-American and Pan-African communities, will include workshops, an evening program in the Art Center gardens, and films at The Doris Duke at the Academy.

(Kwanzaa is derived from the phrase, "matunda ya Kwanzaa," which means "first fruits" in Swahili).

Among the activities: quilting workshops, 10 a.m.-noon each day ($4 adults, $2 kids); a free cooking demonstration noon-1 p.m. Dec. 27; a children's book fair noon-2 p.m. Dec. 28; a free "Black H'attitude" hat-making workshop 1-3 p.m. Dec. 27; and films at the Doris Duke theater at the Academy of Arts.

532-8741.

6 — Let there be light

"LUMA: Theatre of Light," plays Thursday through next Sunday at the Hawai'i Theatre. It is not a Christmas show, but it could rightfully fit the spirit of the season, since it's loaded with bright lights. It's a new production for this marketplace, craftily mounted by a one-time (and still sometimes) resident of the Big Island, the single-named Marlin (see story, Pages 53 and 55).

7 — Christmas glory

"Christmas Forgotten," a musical brimming with traditional songs of the season, is a new endeavor at the Army Community Theatre; it makes its debut tonight and repeats 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Dec. 21, 2 p.m. Sunday and Dec. 22, and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20 at Richardson Theatre, Fort Shafter. It's set in Central Park in New York, reflecting encounters that bring out the joy and merriment of the yuletide.

Tickets: $8-$17.

438-4480, 438-5230.

8 — Hana hou

By popular demand, Na Leo Pilimehana — Nalani Choy, Lehua Kalima Heine — has added a third performance with the Honolulu Symphony Pops (conducted by Matt Catingub), at 4 p.m. Sunday at Blaisdell Concert Hall. They also sing at 8 p.m. today and tomorrow, sharing their reverent family favorites for loyal fans.

Tickets $15-$57.

792-2000.

9 — Bouncing ballet

The Hawaii State Ballet, the Hawaii Ballet Theatre and Ballet Hawaii will all be performing the perennial classic "The Nutcracker" in the coming weeks. Ballet Hawaii has a VIP package — including a preshow dinner — available for the Dec. 20 opening-night show. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

"Nutcracker" season is upon us, and there are three competing productions, each with a dedicated following, each with its own charms. You choose:

"The Nutcracker," by the Hawaii State Ballet, takes centerstage at 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, today through Dec. 22, with a 6 p.m. show Dec. 15, at Mamiya Theatre, St. Louis Center for the Arts. John Landovsky directs. Tickets: $16, $18, $22 general, with $2 discounts available for seniors and children 12 and younger.

At Step-N-Up at University Square (941-7837). 947-2755.

"The Nutcracker," by the Hawaii Ballet Theatre, plays at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and again Dec. 21 as well as 4 p.m. Sunday and Dec. 22 at Leeward Community College Theatre. Charlys Ing directs. Tickets: $22 general, $18 children, seniors, military ($10 students for evening shows).

839-1596.

"Nutcracker," by Ballet Hawaii and with an international cast, begins at 8 p.m. Dec. 20, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21 and 2 p.m. Dec. 22 at the Blaisdell Concert Hall. It's the town's biggest 'cracker. Tickets: $25, $40, $55, with $10 discount for seniors, students and military; group discounts also available (732-7733). 526-4400. Also, an opening-night gala package — $125 — includes VIP seating for the performance, reserved parking and pre-show dinner from 6:30 p.m. Dec. 20.

395-7216.

10 — Museum pieces

Two attractions at the Bishop Museum are worthy of support:

A "Grand Festival of Lights," 6-9 p.m. daily through Dec. 28 (including Christmas Day), is holding forth at the Great Lawn; there are 20 giant light sculptures (trees, drummer boy, waving snowman, volcanoes, palm trees) in kind of an abbreviated "Honolulu City Lights." Santa visits are available, too, and the planetarium show, "Under the Winter Sky," is viewable at 6, 6:30 and 7 p.m. daily.

Tickets: $5 adults, $4 children, military and museum members, free for children 3 and under; $6 for two admissions with Longs Drugs receipt.

847-3511.

"Kraft Luminarium," an outdoor exhibition, is viewable 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday through Jan. 5 (closed Christmas day). It's an immersive art experience, in which color, light, sound and architectural form combine to create a luminarium experience.

Tickets: $5 adults and children ($6 for two tickets with Longs receipt), $4 for museum members, free for children under 3.

847-3511.

11 — Kid stuff

A Breakfast With Santa, 8:30-10:30 a.m. or noon-2 p.m. tomorrow, is kid-friendly, set in the Manoa Grand Ballroom of the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i. Sponsored by Prevent Child Abuse, the event includes Santa, of course, plus clowns, magicians, and games — plus a gift for each child. Further, a feast of cartoon favorites appear in the flesh (well, costumes), including Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Elmo Barney, Dalmatian, Taz, Bugs Bunny, Tweety Bird and Sylvester.

Tickets: $18 adults, $14 children 2 and older.

440-4620.

12 — Bells are jingling

Runners and walkers of all ages and even four-legged critters and their cheering sections will be part of The Honolulu Advertiser Jingle Bell Run downtown, which makes its 18th appearance this year. The festivities include entertainment by Imua, a canine costume contest and team-singing contests.

The race/walk begins at 6 p.m. tomorrow near the Municipal Building. And it's not too late to join in the fun: You can still register at packet pickup, 3-9 p.m. today and 1-4 p.m. tomorrow at Aloha Tower Marketplace; it's $30 for those 13 and older, $23 per person in groups of four or more, and $10 for kids 12 and younger. And everyone can take part in the post-run party, from 7 p.m. tomorrow at Kapono's at the Aloha Tower Marketplace. The party, open to the public, includes a mini concert by Henry Kapono himself.

The Jingle Bell Run is a benefit for Special Olympics Hawaii, and it's a great way to take in the Honolulu City Lights. See below.

943-8808, ext. 66.

13 — City scapes

Finally, how can you not get warm and Christmasy, after traversing the Honolulu City Lights path by car or by foot, or even by trolley? If you do nothing else this Christmas season, do take in this growing, glowing assembly of lighted trees, moving figures, an instrument-laden giant Christmas tree, decorated wreaths and trees, and other eye-popping delights, now through Jan. 5. It's the biggest — and best — bon bon of the annual Christmas landscape, originally a civic center mainstay and now embracing neighboring zones including Aloha Tower Marketplace, Restaurant Row and the Blaisdell Concert Hall. Don't miss the spectacle at Tamarind Park. And it's all free.

523-2489.