HONOLULU — On Thursday, the centerpiece of the 40th annual Honolulu City Lights holiday display went up in front of Honolulu Hale as crews were busy installing festive decorations around the Frank F. Fasi Civic Grounds.
Mayor Rick Blangiardi even lent a helping hand to guide the trunk of the 55-foot Cook pine tree to the hole where crews secured the trunk and ropes that will keep the tree in place.
“’Tis the season,” said Blangiardi. “We put our Christmas tree up … we have two weeks from today until Thanksgiving. The holidays are upon us and we want to wish everybody a tremendous holiday season. We know it’s been a challenging year for all of us. And now it’s time to share our love with the people that we love, that love us. We just hope everyone has a great holiday season. I promise you as mayor we will do everything we can this year to make Honolulu City Lights better and greater than it’s ever been before. Aloha and mele kalikimaka.”
The City and County of Honolulu and Friends of Honolulu City Lights will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the community event this year and reminds residents that opening night festivities — the tree lighting ceremony, Public Workers’ Electric Light Parade and City Lights block party — are set for December 7.
On that day, the block party will kick things off at 4 p.m. on Punchbowl Street across from the Frank F. Fasi Civic Grounds. The parade will begin at 6:15 p.m. from Aala Park making its way on S. King Street to Honolulu Hale where Mayor Rick Blangiardi will illuminate Honolulu Hale’s tree, lights and displays decorating the grounds.
There will also be a few new additions adding to the festivities to commemorate the Honolulu City Lights 40th anniversary. Families will get to enjoy 250 feet of lit tunnels, 50 illuminated trees located throughout the grounds, a train for keiki rides and holiday motifs along Alapai and Beretania streets.
Families are also invited to get their photo taken with Santa in the Mission Memorial Auditorium, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Dec. 7.
Mike Gangloff of Show Aloha Land and his sponsors donated the new displays to bring holiday cheer to residents free of charge.
Information on street closures, traffic detours and any changes to TheBus routes affected by the parade will be announced.
Kapolei City Lights is scheduled for Nov. 30 featuring a block party with live music, over two dozen food trucks, and local vendors from 5 to 9 p.m. around Kapolei Hale. The parade kicks off at 6 p.m. from Kapolei High School and makes its way down Kapolei Parkway before ending at the block party.
Sarah Yamanaka covers news and events for Spectrum News Hawaii. She can be reached at sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.