Frank DeLima's never-before-released "Hawaiian Christmas Carol," originally a 1982 KGMB9 TV special, is available on DVD for the first time this Christmas.

Ah, talk about ghosts of Christmases past.

The local take on Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" has been a longstanding tradition for the indefatigable DeLima, who takes on multiple roles here. (This is not the version that evolved as a theatrical holiday bonbon at Diamond Head Theatre for several seasons in the past.)

This one is early DeLima, who takes a wacky stroll down memory lane with his Na Kolohe duo of Deans of The Noodle Shop era — Dean Lum and Dean Shimabukuro, remember?

DeLima plays Mr. Hu, the miserly Scrooge figure and restaurateur, with a Chinese accent and demeanor; Yoshi, the harried restaurant worker, in Japanese guise (he also plays one of three sons; the Deans acting, or overacting, as the other two); and all of the Ghosts of Christmases Past.

One ghost — Christmas Pau — is essentially Auntie Maria Tunta, with Portuguese mouth, scarf, shawl, lipstick ... and loud manner.

Another ghost — Christmas Present — is Filipino, with a bad beard and the classic accent DeLima's audiences adore.

The third — Christmas Bumbye (future) — is invisible, but pidgin-speaking. "I no stay heah," he utters without being seen.

There are familiar faces and folks along the way: Kati Kuroda is the Japanese wife, Mel Cabang is the Filipino yardman, Karen Keawehawai'i is a girlfriend and mom. And see if you can find Don Ho en route to the finale.

DeLima gets to sing — or lip-sync — through some Patrick Downes lyrics he still occasionally performs, like "Beef Stew and Rice" and "Christmas in Honolulu" and while the show, directed by Phil Arnone, is technically primitive compared to current shooting styles, it does provide snapshots of DeLima's psyche and psycho-ness (he gets carried away periodically) along with his aloha spirit.

The silliness may wear thin, the makeup (DeLima takes on slanted eyes, when he depicts Asian characters) may be a skosh offensive in these p.c. times, but the comic's intention always is to laugh with, not at, the folks he depicts.

And while he doesn't sing it, he tosses in his "What, Lucille, you goin' leave me now?" punchline, which will bring a beam of sunshine to your viewing pleasure.

Too bad DeLima's image does not grace the type-only cover; it's not perfect, but this DVD is a sweet keepsake of a singing standup doing a holiday classic.