With "Hope for the Holidays" as an underlying theme, Robert Cazimero of The Brothers Cazimero believes holiday music is just the tonic to ease the cloud of foreclosures, downturn of visitors, job losses and other elements of a sour economy.

So The Caz are gathering 'ohana, dusting off seasonal songs, hauling out their halau dancers ... to put the Mele into Kalikimaka tonight through Sunday at the Hawai'i Theatre. There are other options in the days and nights ahead, too.

"Christmas is just a wonderful time, and I'm thinking of it more as hope for next year," Cazimero said. "A lot of people are having a difficult time. We're hoping for better things to come, and to lift the spirits, we're doing this Christmas show. Change we can, change we must; I'm a big fan of Obama Nation."

But when Robert is joined by brother Roland in the ho-ho-ho spirit of Christmas, there won't be a political tone.

"We're happy to have Afatia (Thompson), son of Cha and Papa (Jack Thompson), with us," Cazimero said. The plan is for the two to perform each other's tunes — an exchange of the gift of music.

"And we're excited to have 'Ala (Leina'ala Kalama Heine) back on stage," said Cazimero. "A year ago, she was told she couldn't dance the whole year, and she's made leaps and bounds. But we're being delicate on how we use her; she has a small part in the second half of the show. She's not a special guest, but she's real special."

The production also boasts the hope for hula in the future — the keiki hula winners in this year's Lili'uokalani Keiki Hula Competition. They are Leah Santiago of Maui, who was Miss Keiki Hula 2008; and Lyons Wong from Kona, Master Keiki Hula 2008.

Robert's award-winning Halau Na Kamalei, the Ladies of the Royal Dance Company and Harmony Brighter's keiki Halau Hula Ho'oheno I Ka Ua Lililehua will provide hula galore. And a tip: The Makaha Sons will "star" in a specific moment — without actually being there.

"A Cazimero Christmas: The Sounds of Christmas"

With The Brothers Cazimero

7:30 p.m. today and tomorrow and 2 p.m. Sunday

Hawai'i Theatre

$75 (premium seating), $30, $40, $50; $5 discounts for Hawai'i Theatre members, seniors 62 and older, youths 17 and younger, students and military

528-0506, www.hawaiitheatre.com

STELLAR HARMONY

"Na Leo's Holiday Music Spectacular," assembling the beloved vocal trio plus a constellation of Island stars including Keali'i Reichel, Hoku Zuttermeister, Kamakaiwa Kanakaole and Kaukahi, looms as a must-see biggie, starting Monday at the "Waikiki nei" Theatre on the fourth floor of the Royal Hawaiian Center in Waikiki.

The mammoth $22 million showroom and ultralounge was envisioned as a showcase for Island spectacles. Producer Roy Tokujo's "Waikiki nei" show was high-tech with high hopes to become a Waikiki landmark — but closed this summer after a short run.

Nalani Choy, a member of Na Leo, is ecstatic about the opportunity to present a major show in a jewel of a work space. "Just like Vegas ... it's incredible," she said.

The "Holiday Music Spectacular" will showcase 100 hula dancers from multiple hula halau, with featured dancers Aureana and Chariya Tseu, to take advantage of the theater space conceived by the folks who had Cirque du Soleil connections in Canada.

"Na Leo's Holiday Music Spectacular"

7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday and Dec. 19 and 21 (doors open at 6 p.m.)

Waikiki nei Theatre

Fourth floor, Royal Hawaiian Center

$49, $79, $99

262-6300, www.worldsound.com

JUST FOR LAUGHS

Is there a funny bone to Christmas?

If you're Frank DeLima, an emphatic yes.

DeLima, with his Na Kolohe sidekicks David Kauahikaua and Bobby Nishida, will do their usual comedic shticks in a one-nighter tonight at C'est Si Bon at the Pagoda hotel.

The outrageous moment will be when DeLima dons his lighted Christmas tree costume and hammers out his fabled "Filipino Christmas" medley. He also stages a laughter-filled audience-participation tidbit with "Numbah One Day of Christmas."

Frank DeLima Christmas Show

Doors open at 6 p.m., show at 8:30 p.m. today

C'est Si Bon, Pagoda hotel

$50 general, $25 children 3 to 10; includes buffet dinner

948-8370

BOLT OF SUNSHINE

If you're a day person, The Makaha Sons might be your cup of holiday cheer.

Their "Makaha Kalikimaka 2008," from 11 a.m. tomorrow at the Dole Cannery Ballroom, will be a gathering of friends for Louis "Moon" Kauakahi, Jerome Koko and John Koko. The performers will include Bernard Kalua and Friends, hula stylist Kealo Koko, and Merrie Monarch-winning Halau I Ka Wekiu, with kumu hula Michael Casupang and Karl "Veto" Baker.

"Makaha Kalikimaka 2008"

11 a.m. tomorrow (show at 11:30 a.m.)

Dole Cannery Ballroom

$120 VIP seating, includes a gift from the Sons; $65 general (call for keiki discount); includes buffet

536-0545

ISLE MENAGERIE

The Ala Moana Hotel's annual Christmas Show and Brunch will be a buffet of Island music, comedy, hula and more — with Kapena, Augie T., Halau Kaululauae and Holunape sharing the limelight. KUMU's Frank B. Shaner and Mandy Suganuma will shepherd the acts as emcees.

Of course, Augie will uncork his bottle of laughter, Kapena will share its vast repertoire of Hawaiian to Jawaiian, and Holunape its gentle breeze of traditional and contemporary Hawaiian faves. There's hula, too.

Christmas Show and Brunch

10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday

Hibiscus Ballroom, Ala Moana Hotel

$55 general, $27.50 children; includes buffet

944-4333

HELPING OTHERS

Willie K and Raiatea Helm headline "A Musical Christmas Gift" concert today at Turtle Bay Resort.

The event, a benefit for three Windward-North Shore organizations, is underwritten by developer Stanford Carr, who also is interim management officer for Turtle Bay.

"These are tough times," Carr said in a statement. "(We) wanted to do something to lift spirits and remind us why we celebrate this special time of the year." Proceeds will help the Kahuku High School athletic department, Ko'olau Children's Choir and Na Kamalei Early Childhood Education.

"A Musical Christmas Gift"

7-9:30 p.m. today

Kuilima Ballroom of the Turtle Bay Resort, Kahuku

$15 advance, $20 at the door

293-6000

SEASON'S GLEAMINGS

You must check out Honolulu City Lights to get the biggest twinkle this holiday season. The Honolulu Hale grounds are aglow with lights and merriment, from the 50-foot main tree where Shaka Santa and Tutu Mele preside, plus the "animated" Board of Water Supply displays along the Christmas trail.

See the polar bears in the snow globes; catch the LED lights of a trio of trees at First Hawaiian Bank and swags of crownflower at Bank of Hawaii in the Downtown area.

Honolulu City Lights

Through Jan. 1

Honolulu Hale and Downtown area

Wreath, tree and gingerbread display in City Hall courtyard

Free

OUT KAPOLEI WAY

If you live in the Kapolei area, you don't have to journey to the city for holiday lights. The Kapolei Hale City Lights event, compete with parade and tree-lighting, starts at 5 p.m. today at Kapolei Hale.

There'll be music and merriment as Honolulu's Second City gets illuminated for the season.

Kapolei Hale City Lights

Opening at 5 p.m. today with entertainment and keiki games

Kapolei Hale grounds

Electric light parade from 6 p.m. today

Tree-lighting ceremony at 7:30 p.m.

Free

ON THE HOUSE

There is such a thing as a freebie; and it's a nocturnal serenade with a "Peace on Earth" theme.

Keith and Carmen Haugen, longtime entertainers who are mister and missus, have corralled an array of troupers for a peacefest Wednesday at Kapi'olani Park Bandstand.

The performers, in order of appearance: The Thursday Night Band, with director Stanton Haugen and singer Jamie Hope; the "new" Tradewinds; Melveen Leed; singer Noelani Mahoe, pianist Ron Miyashiro; Christmas rapper Jonathan Sypert, with trumpeter DeShannon Higa; Dennis and David Kamakahi, dad-son duo offering slack-key guitar and 'ukulele, plus vocals; Miyashiro again with The Ron Miyashiro Singers, plus hula; and the Carmen Haugen Quartet, with Keith and Carmen, Miyashiro and Frank Uehara on pakini bass.

Whew!

"Peace on Earth" Concert

6-8:30 p.m. Wednesday

Kapi'olani Park Bandstand

Free