Posted on: Saturday, December 25, 2004
The images of Christmas
Advertiser Staff
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| Tylor Rees and Joshua Nagasawa hurry to take the stage for the performance of "The Gift Goes On" at The Apostolic Faith Church in Kalihi.
Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser |
In many ways, Christmastime in Hawa'i is like the holidays elsewhere. But at the same time, our celebrations are not like those you find in other places.
There are school concerts and church pageants, but you're apt to hear "Santa in a Red Canoe" right along with "Silent Night," and both are accompanied by an 'ukulele band.
Children depicting solemn manger scenes may very well be wearing rubber slippers under their robes.
So on this Hawai'i Christmas Day, we bring you images that resonate for us. They are moments of life that unfolded in these islands and even abroad — where thousands of troops who are never far from our thoughts serve our country and pause for their own aloha moments of the season.
During these holidays, our keiki get spiffed up and costumed to perform for doting, camera-toting parents and most manage to keep a straight face, at least until they get off-stage. Friends are made over the course of a song. And the deep well of compassion that colors our everyday, year-round lives bubbles over to touch the most needy members of our community.
It may be a Christmas without snow, there may be few chimneys for Santa to slide down, but those are small details. All the important things of the season we have in abundance.
• • • Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser Musadeq Sadeq • Associated Press
Young voices shine along with tinsel garlands at the Star of the Sea Early Learning Center's performance of "Away in the Manger," as friends and family capture the moment.
Paulina Lim of Manoa tries to take the reins during a rehearsal at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Beretania Street. A stoic John Vave, also of Manoa, continues at the keyboard.
Santa knows all languages, including the sign language of hearing-impaired children. St. Nick gets a Christmas list in sign language from Chantal Sandoval of Lahaina while visiting Pearlridge Center.
Hazel Rand, left, and other carolers from Kailua United Methodist Church spread some cheer to Mary Muranaka, right, at Pohai Nani Retirement Community in Kane'ohe.
Joelynn Carter, donned angel wings for the performance by the church's "Young Crusaders."
Tylor Rees and Joshua Nagasawa, play the roles of Mary and Joseph in "The Gift Goes On," a Christmas program at the Apostolic Faith Church in Kalihi.
Le Jardin Academy students in Kailua get in tune with the holidays.
Lt. Col. Larry Adams-Thompson, a chaplain with the 25th Infantry Division (Light) at Schofield Barracks, offered prayers yesterday with soldiers in a church at their base in Kabul, Afghanistan.
