Categorized | Entertainment

Waimea tree lighting, Lokahi project kick off (Nov. 26)

MEDIA RELEASE

Forty-nine years ago, the tiny ranch town of Waimea launched its first twilight Christmas parade. For this year’s 50th anniversary, the community will go “Back to the 50’s to Remember When…”

… When Waimea was so small that everyone knew (or was related to) everyone … and virtually all worked for Parker Ranch.

… When the late Richard Smart would host a wonderful Christmas party in historic Barbara Hall (now Parker School’s main building) and everyone would be personally remembered with a gift.

… When ranch paniolo would cut a giant tree from the slopes of Mauna Kea for the celebration and then remove an entire wall from Barbara Hall to slide in the tree for the party.

… And … when Lokahi (unity) was a way of life.

To commemorate Christmases past – and to help insure the coming holidays are warm and bright for all, Waimea is inviting families and friends from all over the island to join in a Lokahi Christmas Celebration to recall and cherish a half-century of memories.

Festivities will begin the evening after Thanksgiving – Friday, Nov. 26 — with a new-but-old- style tree lighting and caroling from 5:30-7:30 p.m. – not in Barbara Hall, but rather, on the grassy lawn between KTA/Radio Shack and Waimea Community Education.

A giant evergreen, harvested from the slopes of Mauna Kea as in days gone by Parker Ranch employees, will be the centerpiece for the Nov. 26 gathering. Caroling will be led by several Waimea choral groups and – because this officially will kick off the town’s collection of new gift and food donations for the Lokahi Giving Project — everyone is asked to bring a donation, if possible. But it’s not essential and everyone is invited to the lighting and caroling.

Collection of donations will continue throughout the following week at American Savings in Waimea Center – leading up to the Saturday, Dec. 4 All-Day Lokahi Celebration at venues around town and the 6 p.m. twilight parade – complete with perhaps 50 lighted trucks and, of course, Santa!

There’s still time to enter the 50th Annual Christmas Twilight Parade. There is no charge though everyone – parade participants and spectators – are encouraged to contribute to the Lokahi in-gathering throughout the day – or place items on the Lokahi float in the parade.

Waimea’s Lokahi Celebration is part of a statewide project launched in 1985 by Leslie Wilcox (now with Hawaii Public Television but then with KHON-TV2) and Mariellen Jones. It was conceived to help those not eligible for other assistance. All items collected on Hawaii Island stay on island and dozens of local charities, social services and churches help recommend recipients.

If you know of an individual or family who may need a little extra help this holiday season, contact Leona Martin (887-0541). Lokahi volunteers work closely with churches, social service organizations, schools and others to be sure no one is left out and no one takes advantage.

To adopt a family, call the Lokahi Hotline (883-8832) and leave a message or call Rhonda Bell (885-5039) or Gina Luuloa (756-3008).

For more information about the parade, call Waimea’s perennial Christmas Parade co-chair Lani Olsen-Chong (936-0670).

TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Mamalahoa Highway will be closed 6-7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4 from historic Church Row Park to Lindsey Road intersection, then turning right (north) onto Lindsey Road past Parker School to Waimea Park. Only emergency vehicles will be allowed thru during the parade. Please plan ahead and anticipate delays.

— Find out more:
www.waimeatown.org

(Photo special to Hawaii 24/7)

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