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Holiday lights shine bright across Oahu

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COURTESY WAGONER FAMILY

Flip the switch on the 2016 holiday season by touring these Oahu addresses, where all is merry and especially bright:

COMMUNITY DISPLAYS

>> Chaminade University: Fronting Clarence T.C. Ching Hall, 3140 Waialae Ave. The public is welcome to drive through the campus throughout the holidays. Call 735-4711 or visit chaminade.edu.

>> Honolulu Main Post Office: 3600 Aolele St. (across from the Honolulu Airport). Visitors are treated to festive holiday sights in the public areas outside the lobby and at Rudolph’s Express Shipping Shack operations, thanks to postal elves who creatively assembled a snowman and wreath from Priority Mail boxes, a photo cutout with images of a mail carrier and elves, and a “gift alert” station with numerous inflatables highlighted by Shaka Santa and an array of lights, which will be turned on 24 hours a day.

>> Lights on the Hill: First Assembly of God, 3400 Moanalua Road. Walk through a 50-foot lighted tunnel to Santa’s Workshop, where you’ll find a 20-foot-tall Olaf, towering Christmas trees and a manger scene. Also enjoy a laser light show synchronized to music. Lights are turned on nightly from 6 to 10 p.m., through Dec. 25. 836-2300, firstaog.com.

EAST HONOLULU

>> 1080 Kaumoku St. (Mariner’s Ridge): Giant snowflakes are falling atop the home of Jeff and Helene Jersets, who invite visitors to sit inside the full-sized Santa sleigh for a special photo op. Larger-than-life decorations on display include 6-foot-tall nutcrackers, 5-foot-tall candles and a team of reindeer to help pull Santa’s sleigh.

>> 575 to 595 Hahaione St. (Mariner’s Village 2): Residents unite at this special time of the year to create a twinkling spectacle of dancing lights more than 500 feet long, highlighted by the sight of Santa with his little helpers and reindeer, a joyous penguin, giant candy canes and much more.

EWA BEACH

>> 91-214 Kamaehu Way (Ewa by Gentry): The theme for this year’s computerized musical light display is “Miracle on Kamaehu Way,” which features a cascading snowflake tree, a blue and white “Marty” arch fan and shooting stars that fly across the home. In a salute to the military, the Wagoner family offers a dancing 20-foot, lighted, spiral “mega-tree” proudly decked in red, white and blue. Hours are 5:30 to 11 p.m. daily. Visit 808ne.ws/2h6Sj9h.

HONOLULU

>> 723 Hauoli St. (McCully): The Vares ohana celebrates 25 years of sharing a special gift with the community: a dazzling display of lights including a Christmas countdown, gingerbread houses with rock ’n’ roll elves, a life-size rocking horse with a paniolo (cowboy), a ballerina bear atop a Christmas drum, a prancing snowman, “Sesame Street” characters, a Nativity scene and much more. Hours are 6 to 10 p.m. daily.

>> 2020 Hillcrest St. (Alewa Heights): Thousands of twinkling lights illuminate the Bisho residence, with a sparkling pathway of lights and inflatable Disney characters, a Christmas train, Santa landing on the rooftop and this year’s addition of a Nativity scene. Hours are 6 to 10 p.m. daily through Dec. 31.

>> 2306 Kuahea St. (Palolo): Visit a complete Nativity scene at this festive home where Mr. and Mrs. Claus greet visitors alongside their helpful elves and several snowmen, reindeer, toy soldiers and teddy bears, as “J” and Laurie Chivers continue to impress with their annual classic blow-mold display. Hours are 6 to 10 p.m. daily through Jan. 3.

>> 1553 Miller St. (Punchbowl): Lindy Franca and ohana carry on their annual tradition of decorating their home with a 5-foot wreath and Snoopy, Winnie the Pooh, Mickey Mouse, snowmen and drummer boys, all prancing under the watchful eyes of Mr. and Mrs. Claus and several of Santa’s buddies. Lights are on nightly from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.

>> 1248 Wilhelmina Rise (Kaimuki): In memory of Phil and Ernie Akau, residents present a holiday display of lights filled with wreaths, reindeer, the manger, candy canes, snowmen, stockings and more. Lights will be on nightly until 10 p.m.

>> 1255 Wilhelmina Rise (Kaimuki): Across the street from the Akaus at the Farias home is a yard filled with towering inflatable characters, including Elsa and Olaf from “Frozen” and new arrival “Air Santa,” with you-know-who at the controls of a 747 jet preparing to take off on its global gift-giving flight. Sixty strands of lights illuminate the festive scene. Lights are on nightly until 9 p.m.

KANEOHE

>> 45-229 Nakuluai St.: Handcrafted from the heart by Mr. Vause, dozens of painted wooden characters mingle in the yard as they greet visitors and spread holiday cheer throughout the neighborhood. Joining Shrek, Nemo, Harry Potter, Spider-Man and the rest of the original gang are newbies Hello Kitty, Pokemon and those cute critters from “Trolls” and “The Secret Life of Pets.” Be sure to stop by and say “Hello!” Hours are 6 to 10 p.m. nightly.

MILILANI

>> Neleau Place: This year’s additions to the winter wonderland — the familiar emoji characters and Superhero Cuties — join returning favorites including Disney princesses (and a surprise), Tsum Tsums, the “Frozen” gang, Minions, and Elmo and Friends. With an expanded ensemble of “Star Wars” characters, the viewing experience will be extra special with an appearance by costumed Stormtroopers at 7 p.m. Saturday nights. While there, be sure to venture into adjacent cul-de-sacs for more dazzling Christmas eye candy. Lights will be on through Dec. 25.

WAIANAE

>> 89-089 Aone Place: Check out an impressive array of handmade decorations including cutouts of Disney characters, Santa in a lighted sleigh with prancing reindeer, a Nativity scene and more. It comes with “happy holiday” wishes from the Ayau family, as they continue their nearly 30-year tradition.

>> 87-1029A Hakimo Road: Bob and Julie Herodias say “Merry Christmas” with an impressive sight to behold, including more than 300 lighted figures and lights numbering in the thousands in a display filled with scenes of the North Pole, “Star Wars,” Winnie the Pooh, Disney friends, Spider-Man, a Nativity scene and more. Hours are 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. nightly through Dec. 26.

WAIKELE/WAIPAHU

>> 94-313 Kiokio Place: Loretta Domingo and ohana celebrate 25 years of decorating their home and spreading holiday cheer by introducing a new member, Disney’s Moana. So come along and take a trip down memory lane with cartoon characters past and present, including those pesky Minions, Dr. Seuss creations, the gang from “Frozen,” superheroes galore and more. Hours are 6 to 10:30 p.m. (till 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays), weather permitting.

One response to “Holiday lights shine bright across Oahu”

  1. iwanaknow says:

    My electric bill came today……..less than $100.00………..bah humbug to Christmas lights on my homeless tent in the park.

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