Posted on: Friday, December 19, 2008
Malls offer holiday diversions
Advertiser Staff
Of course, when you must shop at a mall, there are diversions — and so very family-friendly — to keep the holiday spirit intact. Among them:
"The Christmas Gift of Aloha," a parade and stage production by the late Lisa Matsumoto, is in its final season at Ala Moana's Centerstage. It's the story of a Christmas elf named Merry, who falls from Santa's sleigh and lands in Hawai'i. It's free. Performances continue at 6 p.m. today-Sunday and Tuesday. At 7 p.m., Santa rides his sleigh, joined by characters from the play, as part of a holiday parade through the shopping center's mall level. www.alamoanacenter.com.
Also at Ala Moana Center is the Candy Cane Train, a 30-foot attraction (inspired by "The Christmas Gift of Aloha") that takes youngsters on a sing-along journey through the mall.
Hours are from 1 to 8:40 p.m. today, 10 a.m. to 8:40 p.m. Saturday-Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. Wednesday; the train leaves every 20 minutes at Center Court, mall level. Tickets are $7, for those 12 and younger. www.alamoanacenter.com.
Windward Mall's new snowing tree, which simulates a "snow flurry" for 15 minutes at the top of the hour, offers a family photo op. Hours are from 1 to 8 p.m. today-Tuesday, till 4 p.m. Wednesday at Center Court. www.windwardmall.com.
Also at Windward Mall is a Dear Santa Letter Writing Station, where kids can compose that special note to the big guy in red, and receive a reply in return. Be sure to bring a 42-cent stamp. Hours: during mall hours through Wednesday at Center Court. www.windwardmall.com.
The Pearlridge Express is a scale-model, fully functioning train that can carry up to 15 youngsters on a journey at Pearlridge Center's Uptown Center Court. It runs from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today-Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 26-Jan. 4. Tickets are $3. 488-0981, www.pearlridgeonline.com.
