12 delights of Christmas

It's the day after Thanksgiving
And all through the 'aina
The yuletide season
Awaits all kama'aina.

We've scoured the datebook
And found 12 delights
To brighten your Christmas
With songs, trees and lights.

So between Santa visits
Leftover turkey and pie
Get on with the holidays
It's easy, just try ...

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

The annual Honolulu City Lights spectacle launches Dec. 6. Advertiser library photos

• Launching 4 p.m. Dec. 6; continues through Jan. 4
• Honolulu Hale
• Free
• 527-6631

This is the town's biggie, jammed with lights, ornaments and photo ops. See it day or night (obviously, night's better). Opening night: 6 p.m. tree-lighting, 6:30 p.m. parade starting at A'ala Park, with Santa in the parade and lots of holiday music. Tree and wreath exhibits viewable inside City Hall, 8 a.m.-11 p.m. daily.

2. Festival of Trees

• 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Dec. 5-6;
• 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 7.
• Kaka'ako and Kewalo Rooms, Ward Warehouse
• $1 adults, free for keiki 12 and younger
• 547-4397

The 49th annual fund-raiser by The Queen's Medical Center Auxiliary is several things — a display, a marketplace for shopping for decorated trees and ornaments, and an auction of festooned miniature trees decorated by community notables (bidding closes at 2 p.m. Dec. 7). Less lavish than early incarnations at Blaisdell Center, but still a vibrant and vital part of the holiday tradition. (By the way, five staffers of The Advertiser — Wanda A. Adams, Dick Adair, Lee Cataluna, Zenaida Serrano Espanol and yours truly — will be decorating mini trees for the event.)

Jim Nabors' annual gift to the community is a holiday concert at the Hawai'i Theatre.

• 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5-6, 2 p.m. Dec. 7
• Hawai'i Theatre
• $45, $55 and $75 (discounts for students, military and seniors 62 and older)
• 528-0506

Jim Nabors continues his annual tableaux of holiday songs (traditional, contemporary, Hawaiian) with friends Jimmy Borges, Karen Keawehawai'i and Emma Veary, plus puppetmeister Philip Huber and the Huber marionettes, The Company Singers, Diamond Head Shooting Stars, Halau Hula 'O Kawaili'ula, Hula Hui 'O Kupunahala 'O Nu'uanu and the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra. In our book, Christmas "starts" with this one — a package brimming with the joviality and sentimentality of the yuletide. Imagine Gomer Pyle decked out in holiday finery — it's that, but lots more.

4. The Brothers Cazimero and Na Leo Pilimehana in Christmas pops

• 8 p.m. Dec. 12-13, 4 p.m. Dec. 14
• Blaisdell Concert Hall
• $20, $30, $40, $50, $60,
• 792-2000, (877) 750-4400

With musical support from the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra, conducted by pops maestro Matt Catingub, this holiday package unites Robert and Roland Cazimero with Nalani Choy, Lehua Kalama Heine and Angela Morales in a "Mele Kalikimaka" serenade that will feature a strong Hawaiian slate.

5. Candy Cane Lane

• 5:30-9 p.m. Dec. 12, 9 a.m. -9 p.m. Dec. 13, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Dec. 14
• Bishop Museum Great Lawn
• $3; nominal fees for make-and-take crafts
• 847-3511

Just as it does with its Halloween Treat Street, Bishop Museum puts a family-friendly spin on the season, this time for Christmas. This one includes Santa's workshop, Christmas tree, giant candy cane and holiday entertainment. There will be hands-on activities for youngsters, train rides and storytelling — plus a "Lilo & Stitch"-theme inflatable bouncer.

6. 'The Nutcracker'

There are four community versions of this holiday ballet classic:

Hawaii State Ballet

• 7 p.m. Dec. 12 and 19; 2:30 and 7 p.m. Dec. 13 and 20; 2:30 and 6 p.m. Dec. 14; 2:30 p.m. Dec. 21
• Mamiya Theatre, St. Louis Center for the Arts
• 941-7837 (Step-N-Up at University Square); 947-2755 (telephone charges and information)
• $16, $18, $22 for adults (discounts for seniors and children 12 and younger)

Featuring a student cast; directed by John Landovsky.

Ballet Hawaii

• 8 p.m. Dec. 19, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20, 2 p.m. Dec. 21
• Blaisdell Concert Hall
• $25, $40, $55; gala $125 opening-night tickets include dinner at 6:30 p.m. (521-8600)
• (877) 750-4400

Includes guest artists Xiomara Reyes of the American Ballet Theatre and Joaquin De Luz of the New York City Ballet; Tchaikovsky score performed live by the Honolulu Symphony; new costumes by Anne Namba; and a brand new set designed by Peter Dean Beck. Directed by Pamela Taylor-Tongg.

Hawaii Ballet Theatre

• Dec. 13-21
• Leeward Community College Theatre
• 455-0385, 839-1596

Production details were not available at press time.

Honolulu Dance Theatre

• "King Kalakaua's Nutcracker Ballet"
• 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20; 2 p.m. Dec. 21
• Hawai'i Theatre
• $16, $20, $24 for adults; $4 discount for seniors, students, children and military
• 528-0506

Last year this show toured Maui; Honolulu gets it back in its third mounting. A set-in-Hawai'i version of the Tchaikovsky classic, with Ian Campbell as King Kalakaua, Tiffanie Ferrer as Princess Ka'iulani, Celia Chun as Queen Kapi'olani and Pineapple Queen, Edgar Badua as the Pineapple King, Marina Hitosugi-Levesque as the Snow Queen, and Jeremiah Campbell as the Snow King and Warrior. The premise is that the ali'i are staging a Great Ball at 'Iolani Palace, where luminaries appear. Visual images embrace historical Island dress (malo, helmets, ti leaf skirts); even the nutcracker is a carved, wooden, Hawaiian warrior-like figure. Directed by Matthew Wright.

The Jingle Bell Run is a benefit for Special Oympics Hawaii.

• From 6 p.m. Dec. 13
• Post-run party at 7 p.m.
• From Sister Roberta Derby Park, at South Beretania and Alapa'i streets, Street, adjoining the Honolulu Police Department station.
• Entry fees vary; $25 for those 13 and older, $10 for children 12 and under, $20 per person for groups of four or more, if postmarked by today; from Saturday through the event, fees are: $30 per person, $10 for youths 12 and under, $23 per person for groups of four or more
• 943-8808, ext. 33

A festive event for walkers/runners, carol-singing teams, canines costumed for the holidays, with a post-run party at 7 p.m. at the park. Bring a camera: lots to shoot. Sponsored by The Advertiser, it's a benefit for Special Olympics Hawaii.

Hawaii Opera Theatre's "Amahl and the Night Visitors" is a retelling of the biblical tale.

• 5 and 7 p.m. Dec. 20-21
• First Presbyterian Church, 1822 Ke'eaumoku St.
• $10 adults, $5 youths younger than 18
• 596-7858
• A presentation by the Hawaii Opera Theatre. The beloved holiday opera by Gian Carlo Menotti focuses on the familiar biblical tale about the wise men following the star to Bethlehem. Performed by HOT members, with chorus composed of Mae Z. Orvis Opera Studio members and First Presbyterian Church of Honolulu choral members.

9. 'A White Christmas With The Makaha Sons'

• 9 p.m. Dec. 20 (cocktail show), noon Dec. 21 (lunch show)
• Pacific Ballroom, Renaissance
• Ilikai Hotel
• Cocktail show: $25 adults, includes one drink, tax and tip; $65 Golden Circle (reserved seating, one drink, new book by Sam Choy, Makaha Sons CD, other gifts)
• Luncheon show: $45 adults, includes luncheon, tax and tip; $22.50, children 3 through 10; $85 Golden Circle, includes luncheon, reserved seating, book with CD and gifts). Doors open an hour before show time.
• 944-6372

A Christmas bash with The Makaha Sons — Louis "Moon" Kauakahi, Jerome Koko and John Koko — who dust off their holiday song bag, offering Hawaiian and English tunes. They share the stage with Keali'i Reichel, Natalie Kamauu, Chinky Mahoe and Hula Halau O Kawaili'ula, and emcee Rodney Villanueva. A must-see attraction for the family.

10. Christmas comedy show and concert
With Lanai and Augie T, and Kapena

• 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 14 (doors open at 9 a.m.)
• Grand Ballroom, Pacific Beach Hotel
• $36, includes brunch and show; $45 Golden Square seats available
• 921-6137

Island 98.5's wake-up duo, Lanai & Augie, will provide the laughs; Kelly "Boy" DeLima and his Kapena group unleash the holiday and Island rhythms for a rousing good time for the brunch bunch.

11. 'An Iso Peanut Christmas'

• A musical by Lisa Matsumoto and Roslyn
• 2 p.m. Dec. 14 and 21, 4 p.m. Dec. 21
• McKinley High School auditorium
• $15 adults, $10 seniors, military and students with ID
• 594-0464 weekdays

'A Hawaiian Christmas Story'

• 7:45 and 9:45 p.m. p.m. Dec. 19
• Tropics Showroom, Hilton HawaiianVillage
• $25, includes one drink; cabaret seating (sales through 'Ohi'a Productions) tickets@ohia.com, www.ohia.com

One show, two different titles (targeting different clientele), two venues. Could be confusing. But basically, the pidgin princess, er, queen, Lisa Matsumoto, has dusted off her award-winning "The Princess and the Iso Peanut" and tweaked it for the holidays, with composer Roslyn creating four new holiday tunes for the score.

12. Santa arrivals

The man of the season will be everywhere. Check your nearest mall. Or watch him arrive in unconventional modes starting today:

• In a magical burst — at 10 a.m. today at Windward Mall. Illusionist Mike Ching presents a magic show in which he'll make St. Nick appear.
• By speedboat — as part of the Koko Marina Center Christmas Parade Saturday; parade starts at 10 a.m. from Lunalilo Home Road and Hawai'i Kai Drive, winds up at Koko Marina; Santa will proceed to Maunalua Bay, hop onto a speedboat (after the parade) and dock at water's edge at Koko Marina.
• Up on the roof — at Market City Shopping Center. OK, it's an inflatable Santa, but he'll prevail over the 6:30 p.m. Dec. 2 tree lightning ceremony; Danny Couch also sings.
• On a new sleigh — as part of the city's Honolulu City Lights opening parade Dec. 6; an Electric Parade starts at 6:30 p.m., from A'ala Park toward City Hall; Santa's sleigh is expected at about 7:30 p.m.
• On a plane — as part of a Sunset on the Planes/Hawaiian Aviation celebration Dec. 13 (also Dec. 14) at Kalaeloa Airport and Kapolei Fairgrounds. Santa is part of a parade, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Dec. 13, and will be cruising in a plane.
• By outrigger canoe — as part of the Halekulani Hotel's Christmas Eve tradition, from 4:30 p.m. Dec. 24, off Gray's Beach, fronting the Halekulani. Santa will be clad Island-style, in beach shorts.

Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, 525-8067 or fax 525-8055.