Hawaii 24/7 Staff

County of Hawaii

The County of Hawaii invites the public to two special holiday events this year – the fourth annual Magic Of The Season open house at the Hawaii County Building in Hilo, and the inaugural A Holiday Family Affair at the West Hawaii Civic Center in Kona.

Hilo’s Magic Of The Season will run weeknights Dec. 8 – 19 from 5:30 – 8 p.m. at the Hawaii County Building.

County volunteers will decorate dozens of trees and offer holiday cheer so families may enjoy a safe, community-oriented event.

Members of the public may view the exciting decorations weekdays starting at 8 a.m.

Live entertainment and holiday activities will be available weeknights between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Kuana Torres Kahele, Lehua Kalima, Henry Kapono, Cyril Pahinui, Darlene Ahuna, and Mark Yamanaka will be among the Nā Hōkū Hanohano award-winning performers joining local favorites, hula groups, and the Hawaii County Band to entertain audiences.

Kona’s inaugural event, A Holiday Family Affair, will take place on Friday, Dec. 12 from 5 – 6:30 p.m. in the courtyard of the West Hawaii Civic Center. The program will consist of a pule by Kumu Keala Ching and performances by Ka Pā Hula Nā Wai Iwi Ola and the Kealakehe Intermediate School Chorus & Ukulele Ensemble.

Bring a towel or mat for seating on the courtyard lawn.

At both events, non-perishable food items will be accepted for the Hawaii Island Food Basket.

For more details on either event, please contact the Office of Mayor Billy Kenoi in Hilo at 961-8211 or Kona at 323-4444.

DECEMBER 6

* Pahoa

24th annual Pahoa Holiday Parade, 9:30 a.m., Pahoa Village Road, Pahoa

Mayor Billy Kenoi is the grand marshal.

Road closes at 9 a.m.

For further information, call Nancy at 965-2729.

* Waimea

54th annual Waimea Christmas Twilight Parade, 5:30 p.m., Waimea town

This year’s theme is “Our Kupuna…Our Kuleana.”

Following the parade, Santa will be at Parker Ranch Center’s Fireside Food Court.

Roads will be closed 5:30-6:45 p.m.

For further information, visit www.WaimeaTown.org

DECEMBER 7

* Kona Choral Society Concert: Schubert Mass in G and Handel Messiah concert

Kaleiopapa Convention Center, Sheraton Kona Resort and Spa at Keauhou Bay.

3 p.m. – Pre-concert music presented by the Kona Choral Society Youth Chorus
3-4 p.m. – no-host refreshments
4 p.m. – Schubert Mass in G and Handel Messiah concert

The Kona Choral Society and Conductor Susan McCreary Duprey will present Schubert’s Mass in G and the Annual Handel’s Messiah Concert.

Tickets are available at Kona Bay Books, Kona Stories Bookstore in Keauhou, or by visiting www.konachoralsociety.org or by phone 808-334-9880. Adults: $20 / Full-time Students: $5

DECEMBER 13

* Waikoloa Lions Club 10th annual Christmas Parade, 10 a.m., Paniolo Road, Waikoloa Village

Parade starts at top of Paniolo Road and finishes at Waikoloa Baptist Church. Keiki Fest follows.

For further information, call Sue McCord at 989-0215.

* Lanihau Center Holiday Fun

Santa will be at Lanihau Center 1-4 p.m. Come and bring your camera and take a picture with Santa or take a fun holiday pic at the photo booth. There will be free arts and crafts by Ace Hardware, free goodie bags from Santa while supplies last, and holiday entertainment with Lori Lei Hula Studio and Kahakai Ukulele Ensemble. KWXX will have their Annual Treasure Chest Giveaway at 3 p.m. followed by a drawing to win Santa’s Stocking filled with holiday gifts valued at $300 from Lanihau Center.

The Holiday Craft Fair will take place 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The center is offering FREE 10×10 booth space for the first 20 vendors! If you are interested in a space, contact Marketing at 960-1392.

* Kailua-Kona Christmas Parade, 5 p.m., Kailua-Kona

Parade starts at Kekuaokalani Gym and heads along Kuakini Highway, down Palani Road, along Alii Drive to Royal Kona Resort.

Road closures begin at 4:45 p.m.

Parade participants will be collecting for Hawaii Island Food Basket.

For further information, call Chauna Reese at 313-0025.

* Kalikimaka Boat Parade

Everyone loves a Christmas Parade and we’re proud to announce a new Kalikimaka Boat Parade in conjunction with the Kona Community Christmas Parade, beginning at 5 p.m. The Kalikimaka Boat Parade is sponsored in part by a grant from the Hawaii Tourism Authority and the County of Hawaii.

* ‘Home for the Holidays’ at Fairmont Orchid

Elves at The Fairmont Orchid Hawaii have been busy collecting coconuts and have created a 14-foot Christmas tree made up of more than 900 coconuts.

The public is invited to a holiday performance at 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, which will be kicked off with sunset torchlighting by one of the resort’s Hui Holokai Beach Club Ambassadors. The resort’s Luana Lounge provides the perfect vantage point to view the spectacular tree, where guests can sip on holiday themed cocktails such as the Cranberry Bourbon Julep or the Holiday Bliss. The event will feature a performance by the keiki of Halau Opuaikalai. Guests are also invited to view the resort’s holiday Chocolate Surfing Santa lobby display, made up of more than 270 pounds of chocolate.

* 11th annual Keaau Community Christmas Light Parade, 5:45 p.m., Keaau-Pahoa Road, Keaau village.

This year’s theme is ‘A Sporty Christmas,’ with grand marshals the world champion East Hawaii Pony League baseball team.

For further information, email sgresswell02@gmail.com.

DECEMBER 14

Pahala Christmas Parade, 1 p.m., Pahala village.

Parade starts at the old armory and goes to Ka‘u Hospital, then back to Holy Rosary Catholic Church. Refreshments available.

For further information, call Eddie Andrade at 928-0808.

DECEMBER 20

* The Kona Choral Society: Joy to the World

4 p.m., Old Kona Airport Makaeo Pavilion, Kailua-Kona
Annual free holiday concert for the community
Co-sponsored by the County of Hawaii

Come as you are and help us celebrate the season in song! Concert will feature the Kona Choral Society Adult and Youth Choruses. This performance will not only include traditional Christmas carols, but music from around the globe; including songs from Hawaii, Spain, Nigeria, Jamaica, and a Hebrew number for Chanukah. To top it off, the audience will also get to join in and sing along to a few familiar holiday tunes! This concert is co-sponsored by the County of Hawaii.

DECEMBER 21

* The Kona Choral Society

4 p.m., Old Kona Airport Makaeo Pavilion, Kailua-Kona
Annual free holiday concert for the community
Co-sponsored by the County of Hawaii

Come as you are and help us celebrate the season in song! Concert will feature the Kona Choral Society Adult and Youth Choruses. This performance will not only include traditional Christmas carols, but music from around the globe; including songs from Hawaii, Spain, Nigeria, Jamaica, and a Hebrew number for Chanukah. To top it off, the audience will also get to join in and sing along to a few familiar holiday tunes! This concert is co-sponsored by the County of Hawaii.

DECEMBER 22

* The Nutcracker presented by West Hawaii Dance Theatre

6 p.m., Kahilu Theatre, Waimea

One performance only! Dozens of dance students perform the classic holiday ballet, with live music.

Tickets available at www.kahilutheatre.org