The holidays are just around the corner. Here are a few things to do that might help those on the Neighbor Islands get into the spirit:
Kaua‘i
- Lights on Rice Parade, 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5.
Presented by the Rotary Club of Kaua‘i, the parade begins at Vidinha Stadium, travels down Ho‘olako and Rice streets before ending at the historic county building on ‘Eiwa Street.
The Kaua‘i Police Department will close all streets along the parade route from 5 to 8 p.m., or until the parade ends. That includes Ho‘olako Street from Vidinha Stadium to Rice Street, Rice Street from Ho‘olako to ‘Eiwa streets and ‘Eiwa Street from Rice to Hardy streets.
No parking will be allowed along the parade route beginning at 5 p.m. on Dec. 5 and parking restrictions also will be in effect at the historic county building and nearby state office parking lots from 4:30 p.m. until midnight to accommodate parade floats, KPD says.
The annual Christmas Craft Fair at the Kaua‘i Museum will be held the same day. A portion of the Līhu‘e Civic Center parking lot will be closed to access through the ‘Eiwa Street entrance from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., KPD noted.
- The Waimea Light Parade, 6:15 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20.
The parade will travel down Main Street and end at Hofgaard Park with a holiday Christmas concert. The Waimea Bridge will close from 5 to 9 p.m.
The theme this year is “Neon '80s,” the parade website notes.
- If shopping is more your speed, the Kaua‘i Made Holly Jolly Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Grand Hyatt Resort and Spa in Po‘ipū.
The fair will feature more than 30 Kaua‘i Made vendors selling their wares, as well as live entertainment. More information on Kaua‘i Made can be found here.
Find more information about additional markets and other events on the Garden Isle here.
Hawai‘i Island
- The Waimea Community Association’s Waimea Twilight Christmas Parade, 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6
The parade will leave from Waimea Park and travel down Kawaihae Road, Lindsey Road, Highway 190, Pukalani Road and Ala Ohia Road, ending at the Spencer Kalani Schutte Waimea District Park. Find the full route here. Portions of these roads will be completely closed because of the parade. This year's theme is "A Waimea Christmas Birthday Celebration."
- Santa will visit the Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Kahuku Unit from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m Saturday, Dec. 6, bringing gifts for the first 100 keiki.
The free event is sponsored by the Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, the philanthropic fundraising partner for HVNP. The nonprofit will provide free shave ice, face painting and photos with Santa. The Kahuku Unit is located on the mauka side of Highway 11 at mile marker 70.5 in Ka‘ū.
- Pāhala Town Lighted Christmas Parade, 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, along Kamani and part of Pikake streets in Pāhala.
- Hawai‘i County will host its "Magic of the Season" holiday open house, 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 8 to 12 at the county building in Hilo.
The week-long tradition offers a variety of festivities each night, including live hula and music performances, food trucks, snacks, holiday decorations and events for keiki. See the full lineup here.
In addition to visits from Santa each night, Christmas trees will be displayed throughout the building. The county also will collect nonperishable items for the Salvation Army.
- The Kea‘au Lighted Christmas Parade, 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13.
From Kea‘au High School, the parade will travel down Kea‘au-Pāhoa Road and end at the Kea‘au Village Market. This year’s theme is “Aloha Christmas.”
On the other side of the island, the Kailua Village Christmas Parade will take place at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 13, with the theme of “Keiki Kalikimaka.”
Maui
Lahaina Lights Parade, 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13.
The parade will travel along Kā‘anapali Parkway between the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa to the intersection with Honoapi‘ilani Highway. The event also will feature a keiki zone, vendor market, community resources and food trucks.
There are even more holiday happenings on O‘ahu. You can check out Aloha State Daily’s roundup here.
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Stephanie Salmons can be reached at stephanie@alohastatedaily.com.
