Electric Light Parade spreads out

By Walter Wright
Advertiser Staff Writer

The Electric Light Parade which kicks off the Honolulu City Lights Christmas season Dec. 7 will reach into the downtown and Chinatown areas this year, Mayor Jeremy Harris said.

"The parade will start at 'A'ala Park and proceed down King Street, ending in front of Honolulu Hale," Harris said Monday.

"This new route will give many of our businesses at the Chinatown end of King Street a chance to welcome the parade with lighting displays," he said.

Last year, the parade began at the Capitol, proceeded to Bishop and King streets and finished after passing Honolulu Hale.

The mayor sent notices to area businesses urging them to invite their employees to watch the parade as it passes by, and then join in opening-night festivities at city hall.

The evening program will begin with services at Kawaiahao Church at 5 p.m., followed by a 6 p.m. tree lighting ceremony at Honolulu Hale.

Also at 6 p.m., the Electric Light Parade will start down King Street from 'A'ala Park, reaching Honolulu Hale at 6:30 p.m., in time for the opening of the tree and wreath exhibits inside.

At 7:30 p.m., Tom Moffatt's holiday concert will begin on the civic center grounds.

T-shirts and a commemorative ornament will be on sale at booths, to help support the program.

Thousands of people come to the area every year to participate or just drive the "corridor of lights" where local businesses and government agencies decorate their buildings with fanciful holiday displays.

Reach Walter Wright at wwright@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8054.