THE LEFT LANE
Throwback parade; Songs for the keiki; Rich thoughts

Advertiser Staff and News Services

If the Christmas spirit hasn't wrapped its warm fuzzies around you yet, take a break from shopping Sunday afternoon and go cheer on the Olomana Community Association's annual folksy Christmas Parade. It begins at Maunawili Elementary School at 2:30 p.m. and weaves around the neighborhood — Ulupi'i, Ulupuni, Uluhao, Uluhala, Ulupuni, Ulukou and back to school. Leslie Kobayashi, chair of the parade, says it's "a real throwback to a less-commercial time."

There'll be classic cars including a rare 1914 Model T Ford. Santa will ride in a neighbor's vintage Corvette — "if we can get it started," Kobayashi said. Santa and Mrs. Paws' doggie sled team will be all dressed up; other canines are encouraged to follow (Santa's) suit. Prizes include Most Hawaiian Holiday Spirit, Most Dazzling Demonstration of the Holidays, Doggiest Holiday Spectacle and Best Feline Expression of Holiday Happiness. And bringing up the end, the Olomana community fire truck.

Songs for the keiki

Seventeen well-known Hawai'i artists pour their hearts and voices into a new CD, "Hawaii Sings for the Children," a benefit for Friends of Foster Kids, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of Hawai'i's foster children. Among them: Henry Kapono, Na Leo Pilimehana, Kamehameha Children's Choir, Tino Ibach, Gordon Freitas, Cathy Foy and Dis Guyz.

The recording benefits children in Hawai'i's foster care system — 2,500 individuals at any given time. Families that take these children in often cannot afford the "extras" that American children take for granted: eyeglasses, tutoring, summer camp, and after-school activities. All proceeds from the $15.98 CD, available at Hawai'i music stores, go to Friends of Foster Kids; to learn more, visit www.booklineshawaii.com.

Rich thoughts

Here's a concept: A "self-wrapped" gift book. It's Jessica Lani Rich's "The Gift of Hawai'i: Island Inspirations" (Watermark, $9.95), a collection of inspirational thoughts and aphorisms that has a cover that looks like a box tied with ribbon. For some years, Rich, a newscaster on KUMU Radio, has been sharing these quick bits in a segment called "A Rich Thought for the Day."

Rich, a Native Hawaiian, compares various ideas to island icons: a good idea is like an 'iwa bird that must move and soar, a healthy relationship is like a mu'umu'u that never conforms or confines. Graceful sketches by Honolulu artist Kelly Sueda complete the package.