West Hawaii loves a parade, and after a pause last year because of the ongoing COVID pandemic, two of the most beloved Christmas parades on the Big Island return, although not in the traditional format.
The 60th annual Waimea Twilight Christmas Parade, the second oldest holiday parade in the state, returns Saturday with a special twist to keep the community safe as the new variant omicron spreads across the globe. The popular event will instead be held as a “reverse parade” in which parade-goers drive through a holiday lane from 6 to 9 p.m.
“We figured we need something and this was a good safe way to do it,” said parade co-chair Lani Olsen-Chong. “All the units are confined to their own space, their own bubble. They are parked far enough apart where they are separated from the next unit. And because it is a drive-thru, the public will be kept safe because they are remaining in their vehicles.”
As many as 60 holiday floats, lighted trucks and lighted displays will appear along Ala Ohi‘a Road in Waimea Saturday evening including perennial favorites, parade organizers said. In marking the parade’s 60th year, the theme is “A 60s Christmas!”
Parade-goers, who must remain in their vehicles with no stopping allowed, will start their drive through holiday lane at Ala Ohi‘a Road’s intersection with Mamalahoa Highway. Ala Ohi‘a Road will be closed to westbound traffic during the festive event.
At the beginning of the parade route, vehicles with children under age 12 will be marked with a sticky note. Upon reaching Santa’s floats, Santa’s helpers will hand out a good bag for each keiki, while supplies last. The goodie bags are sponsored by Hamakua-Kohala Health. Donations for items to go into the bags are still being accepted. Contact Olsen-Chong at (808) 936-0670.
Also at the start of the parade, attendees will be greeted by members of the Big Island Giving Tree Bucket Brigade, asking kokua to help BIGT be sure no one gets left behind this holiday season. BIGT’s annual holiday outreach includes more than 500 Kupuna Bags of foods and essentials that are delivered to their homes, plus warm Christmas dinner deliveries to homeless and others in need. BIGT also adopts families when needed. All donations to BIGT are tax deductible.
“This year’s Parade Grand Marshall is Aunty Eva Lindsey Kealamakia, 99 years young. Kealamakia was the Waimea Postmistress for over 30 years and a fifth-generation Lindsey. Her family is working to re-create a setting reminiscent of the old Post Office for her to be able to wave to parade passersby,” said Patti Cook, community leader.
For more information, visit waimeatown.org/parade.
Parker School adds onto the fun Saturday with its Waimea Winter Wonderland. From 6 to 9 p.m. parade-goers are invited to drive through the school’s main parking lot to enjoy a winter wonderland. Again, participants must stay in their vehicles while enjoying the non-denominational winter scenes including Frozen’s Elsa, Anna, and Olaf.
The following Saturday, Dec. 11, Kailua-Kona hosts its own Chirstmas parade, Holoholo Kalikimaka at Kekuaokalani from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Kekuaokalani Gymnasium and the Kona Community Aquatic Center.
The walk-through parade will begin at the north gate of the complex, with spectators strolling through stationary entries ending on the south side culminating with Santa and his reindeer.
“We weren’t planning on having a parade this year because of COVID,” said Barbara Kossow, one of the parade organizers. “On Nov. 8, Mayor (Mitch) Roth said he wanted to have a walkthrough parade and to make it happen.”
Kossow said the parade usually takes month to plan, but with the uncertainty of COVID, the abbreviated parade was planned last minute.
“We want to give our community something, and with the time constraint, this is the best we can do,” said Kossow.
The parade committee is still accepting entrants, especially ones decorated with lots of lights.
“We need choke lights. We really want to light the place up,” she said.
They are also seeking volunteers to control foot traffic along the stroll.
“Just like businesses who can’t find employees, we don’t have volunteers,” she said.
Kossow said they are planning on having food trucks set up near the keiki playground, directing interested food vendors to contact her for more information.
Call Renee Kraft at (808) 345-2108 or Barbara Kossow at (808) 938-0806 for more information or to enter.
^^^
Also planned in December are
The Music and Light festival returns to Holualoa Village, inviting visitors and residents to ring in the holidays, Hawaiian style. Holualoa lights up the night with the annual lighting of the town Christmas tree, plus an appearance by Santa, lots of live music, gallery gatherings, art openings, food, drink and more from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday.
Gallery owners open their doors to kick off the holiday shopping season, while at the same time bringing the local community together for a night of socializing, mingling and fun during the annual event that was postponed in 2020. Shops serve up complimentary pupus and beverages, holiday treats and of course, 100% Kona coffee. It’s a chance for attendees to catch up with old friends, make new friends, or put names to familiar faces.
Santa will be visiting the Queens’ MarketPlace for safe, socially-distanced photos from 5 to 8 p.m on Saturday, and continuing on Dec. 11-12 and 16-19. Bring your own camera to capture the holidays with Jolly ‘Ol St. Nick.
“Santa Live” comes to Waimea via a contactless drive-in experience Dec. 9 through 12 from 5 p.m. each evening on the grounds of W.M. Keck Observatory. The four-evening event is a magical — safe — experience for children that also supports BIGT’s outreach to ensure no one gets left behind this holiday season. For more information and tickets, visit 808christmas.com
“Santa Live” is a 30-minute interactive drive-in experience featuring a song and dance performance on a 30-foot LED screen while the parking lot has live performers of its own. The experience culminates with a phone call to the North Pole where Santa will be broadcasting live on the big screen and sharing personal messages to keiki. Parents will provide their Santa shoutout information and get to see the awe and amazement on their keiki faces.
In addition, Kamuela Inn is holding the sixth annual Christmas wreath contest, themed “Candyland Christmas.” Contest categories include adult, youth and theme. Cash awards will given in each category. A minimum $25 donation to the Big Island Giving Tree is required for entry. For more information and to print an entry form, visit thekamuelainn.com/events
Other holiday happenings in Kona include the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony from 5:45 p.m. until sunset on Wednesday at Emma Square on Alii Drive. The Kailua Village Business Improvement Village is hosting the annual event with hula performances by Halau E Hulali Mai I Ka La under the direction of Kumu Chrissy Henriques.
Kokua Kailua, the popular monthly stroll on Alii Drive, returns to Historic Kailua Village from 1 to 6 p.m. Dec. 12. Alii Drive will be closed to vehicular traffic and becomes a festive, pedestrian-only outdoor marketplace that makes for a fun family friendly day. Leashed dogs are welcome to stroll too. A Hawaiian Holiday Concert with Mark Yamanaka will take place from 5 to 6 p.m.
Lanihau Center kicks off the holiday season on Saturday with a holiday craft fair and sidewalk sales from Lanihau merchants. The holiday craft fair featuring local vendors will take place in the center parking lot from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with pictures with Santa under the Christmas tree from 10 a.m. to noon.
On Dec. 19, the West Hawaii County Band’s Christmas Concert will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Hale Halawai. The band will perform select music from it’s vast repertoire, including marches jazz tunes, show tunes and holiday favorites.
The communtiy can also enjoy the music of the holidays each weekend of the season as small ensembles from the Kamuela Philharmonic Orchestra perform at Kona Commons Shopping Center. The series began Thanksgiving weekend and continues Friday, from 3 to 4 p.m. with Kona Classy Strings, followed by a String French Horn Trio on Saturday, from 3 to 4 p.m., and Kona Music gals from 3 to 4 p.m. Sunday. On Friday, Kona Classy Strings (violins) performs from 2 to 3 p.m. followed by the Kilauea Kwintent from 2 to 3 p.m. on Dec. 11, and the Kona Brass Trio from 3 to 4 p.m. on Dec. 12. On Dec. 17, from 4 to 5 p.m., a mixed Ensemble of musicians will perform and on Dec. 18, from 3 to 4 p.m. a String French Horn Trio takes the stage.
Santa will be making an appearance at Keauhou Shopping Center from 6 to 7:45 p.m. Saturday, as well as Dec. 11 and 18 in the courtyard. Registration is required for keiki to receive a goodie bag and take a photo with Santa. Register at keauhoushoppingcenter.com. A Cookies and Crafts event will be held in the courtyard from 4 to 6 p.m. Dec. 8 and 15 with cookie decorating and ornament making. Registration is also required. Goodie bag included with registration.
