Residences light the way to seasonal cheer

EAST HONOLULU

» 1459 Ahuawa Loop: Say hello to Frosty the Snowman as he stands guard in his "Blue Winter Wonderland" nestled in this quaint Kahala neighborhood.

» 575 to 595 Hahaione St.: The cheerful residents in Mariners Village 2 want to wish their neighbors a happy holiday season and invite all to view their glimmering path of lights to greet Santa Claus, a penguin, Rudolph and the other reindeer, and a twinkling Christmas tree.

» 3969 Kaualio Place: To escape the Christmas chaos, visit the Lee family’s serene "Christmas in the Park," a charming scene of light posts, park benches and reindeer, with a delightful collection of inflatable characters off to the side in this Kahala display.

» 1080 Kaumoku St.: As if being situated at the top of Mariners Ridge in Hawaii Kai wasn’t enough, the Jersets family home stands even taller, boasting a larger-than-life display of 12-foot-tall candy canes, 8-foot nutcrackers, 6-foot candles and 4-foot round ornaments. The lights go on at 6 p.m. daily through mid-January.

» 924 Pueo St.: There may not be an array of colorful characters to greet you, but instead, standing tall and proud is a 100-foot, fully decorated Norfolk pine. The residents of this Kahala home have been decorating this "old-timer" for 13 years and are pleased to share this unique gift to the community each year.

EWA BEACH

» 91-214 Kamaehu Way: Check out B and Michelle Wagoner’s "Miracle on Kama­ehu Way," a synchronized light show featuring a spectacular 20-foot multicolored Christmas tree, cascading snowflakes, a shooting star, colorful arches and a spiral tree that pays tribute to our American heroes. This must-see display won first place in last year’s Ewa by Gentry community Christmas display contest. Also, be sure to take a moment and pause for some picture-taking in a special area along the "path of happiness." Hours are 6 to 11 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and till midnight Fridays through Sundays.

» 91-6523 Kapolei Parkway: This electrifying light show dazzles with nearly 50,000 LED lights, a 20-foot tree, an inflatable snow globe, a projection of Santa waving through the window and much more, with music transmitted via radio station 106.5 FM. To top things off, the Wata­nabe family will treat spectators to hot chocolate and candy canes from 6 to 9 p.m. weekends through Dec. 22; they’ll also accept donations for the Hawaii chapter of the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Hours are 5:30 to 10 p.m. daily through Jan. 3. Visit www.daohanachristmaslightshow.com.

HONOLULU

» 1036 Hala Drive: Located next to Malu­hia Nursing Home in Alewa Heights, this home features unique yet festive outdoor decor such as five trees laced with glistening chili pepper lights, twinkling icicles that appear to fall from the roof, two lions with glaring green eyes standing watch on the porch, and prancing reindeer that drink water and spit it out.

» 723 Hauoli St.: McCully’s Vares ohana has been decorating their home for more than two decades with a Christmas countdown, Ferris wheel, gingerbread house, Mr. and Mrs. Claus, elves, a manger scene and moving mechanical bears. Of special note is a 3-foot vintage ornament hanging from the eaves of the home which old-timers might remember from the old Kress store at Fort Street Mall.

» 2020 Hillcrest St.: The Bisho family’s Winter Wonderland in Alewa Heights features beautiful Christmas figurines such as Santa with his sleigh, a snowman, a Christmas train and much more.

» 2306 Kuahea St.: The glowing Palolo home of the Chivers once again lights up the neighborhood with figures of Santa and Mrs. Claus, Frosty the Snowman and friends, a nutcracker, drummer boy, toy soldiers and a complete Nativity scene. Added to the mix this year are a reindeer and an elf carrying packages, perhaps to distribute to his new friends.

» 2672 Lowrey Ave.: This is the Allen family’s 33rd year of lighting up their Manoa neighborhood with an outdoor display comprising more than 30 characters, several Santas, carolers, two Nativity scenes and more. Hours are 6 to 9 p.m. nightly.

» 1553 Miller St.: Lindy Franca and ohana are spreading Christmas cheer once again in the Punchbowl area with an impressive array of characters including snowmen, elves and drummer boys, Snoopy, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Winnie the Pooh, a Nativity scene and two dolphins pulling Santa’s sleigh.

» 1618 Perry St.: The Correia family of Kalihi invites you to view their festive display of more than 3,000 sparkling lights, glistening trees, snowmen, reindeer, Santa on a firetruck and another perched up high in the sky, waving and spreading the aloha spirit throughout the neighborhood.

» 1248 Wilhelmina Rise: The Akau, Andrade and Kauffman families of Kaimuki pre­sent their annual Christmas gift to the community: an assortment of delightful Disney characters, candy canes, a Nativity scene, inflatables and thousands of twinkling lights for all to enjoy. Hours are 6 to 9 p.m. nightly.

» 3140 Waialae Ave.: Drive around the Cha­mi­nade University oval to view the colorful lights outlining campus buildings.

» Honolulu City Lights: Exchange hand gestures with the Shaka Santa and take in the glory and wonder of the city’s annual holiday displays. The Hono­lulu Hale tree is lighted from 6 p.m. to dawn daily through Jan. 2.

KAILUA

» 1170 Akumu St.: The blinged-out home of Mike and Pee Cee Brede is ablaze with lights and numerous inflatables, at times synchronized to a light show and Christmas music, with occasional surprises. Did we mention lots of lights and inflatables? (The Bredes made sure to reiterate that detail.) Hours are 6:30 to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, and till 10 p.m. Fridays through Sundays.

» Olomana community: At 6 p.m. Dec. 21, the Olomana Community Association will commence outdoor holiday display judging of neighborhood homes, with prizes awarded in seven categories for best outdoor trees, lights, Santa, lawn characters, religious display, street and overall display. Call 262-1383 or email OlomanaNews@aol.com.

KANEOHE

» 47-450 Ahuimanu Road: You can’t miss this "Christmas corner" ablaze with lights on everything from the rooftop down to every plant in the yard, where you’ll also find handmade characters from Disney and Warner Bros., a snowman and Santa Claus and his working elves.

» 45-365 Namoku St.: Always a sight to behold, the home of Lois and Kimo Lake gleams from the rooftop, yard and everywhere in between. You’ll see Santa frogs, tin soldiers, Snoopy, dazzling peacocks, a 10-foot-tall Santa perched on the roof, a canoe in the driveway and more. The Lakes even sacrificed their carport to house a 9-foot bear through the winter. On Dec. 21, Santa will make an appearance at about 7 p.m.

» Namoku Street: Also known as "The Street of Lights," this enchanting stretch of road transforms into a magical pathway during the holidays, with full participation by spirited residents who deck out their homes and yards.

MILILANI

» 94-315 Neleau Place: This year’s edition of "Neleau Lights" welcomes those mischievous Minions from "Despicable Me" and an assortment of "Star Wars" characters, an updated display of enchanting Disney princesses and a return appearance by Elmo & Friends, My Little Pony and Marvel superheroes. Be sure to stroll on over to the next two cul-de-sacs for a "Winter Wonderland" experience, and as a special treat, on select weekends you’ll find characters from "Star Wars" taking a holiday stroll through the neighborhood.

WAIANAE

» 89-089 Aone Place: Visit the lovely home of Al and Becky Ayau, where you will be awed by the fact that most, if not all, of the characters, including Donald Duck, Captain Hook and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, were artistically drawn on plywood, cut out and hand-painted with love, while the reindeer were crafted from metal rods, covered with wire and adorned with twinkling white lights.

» 87-1029-A Hakimo Road: With more than 400 lighted figures and 10,000-plus sparkling lights, this extravagant display by Bob and Julie Herodias is a must-see. Check out Snoopy, Winnie the Pooh and Friends, Disney characters, Santa’s Workshop, arctic scenes, the North Pole and a Nativity set, a menagerie of sorts and much more. Hours are 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. nightly through Dec. 28.

WAIKELE/WAIPAHU

» 94-226 Anapau Place: The Yoshida family’s annual electrifying computerized light show is always a spectacular sight. This year they enlisted three other families in creating an impressive 45-minute light show that stretches across four homes. The shows run 6 to 10 p.m. through New Year’s Day. For a preview of a previous year’s display, visit goo.gl/w5Y4NI.

» Hopoe Place: Enter a unified Grinch-free zone consisting of 30 blinged-out Wai­pahu homes that’s sure to bring a smile to everyone’s faces. Bring the Grinch in your family (and a camera) and see for yourself!

» 94-313 Kiokio Place: It’s been 20 years and counting since the Domingo family has been spreading Christmas joy through its holiday display, a cast of more than 100 plywood cartoon cutouts from Disney, the Smurfs, Bratz, the Simpsons, Care Bears and more. New to the clan this year are Alice in Wonderland and those silly "Despicable Me" Minions, who must be on their best behavior under Santa’s watchful eye. Hours are 6 to 9:30 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and till 10:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.