For more than 20 years, Sheryl Quon Suzuki has designed the decorations for the Board of Water Supply truck that motors through downtown Hono­lulu as part of the annual Hono­lulu City Lights Electric Light Parade.

Whether decorated as a rainbow, a waterfall or a "fountain" of toys — water always figures into the design — the truck is a crowd favorite because it usually closes out the procession of marching bands, floats and festively decorated city vehicles.

It’s a scene the soft-spoken graphic designer has enjoyed in her mind’s eye.

"I have never, in all my years, ridden in the truck," Suzuki said. "I haven’t even walked in the parade for all these years." 

Instead, she would be back in her office, waiting for her colleagues to come in from the celebration so she could clean up.

That will change Saturday. The 61-year-old Suzuki is leaving the Board of Water Supply at the end of the year, forced into early retirement by a debilitating muscular condition that requires her to use a wheelchair. Her colleagues are paying tribute to Suzuki by having her ride on the agency’s truck for the first time in this year’s parade.

"I don’t know how I’ll get up there," she said. "Maybe with a forklift."

Suzuki, who has worked for the Board of Water Supply for 32 years, has been involved in its famed outdoor light displays since the city’s first Hono­lulu City Lights celebration in 1987. That year a colleague, Jerry Martin, wanted to create something for the event and went to her for design tips.

"I always said, ‘More lights, more lights, you need more lights.’ I always say you can achieve Christmas through lights, color and movement. People of Hawaii love those things," she said.

That first animated light display of rain falling on an umbrella that opened and closed was built on a wire screen and hung in front of the Board of Water Supply building on South Bere­ta­nia Street. The lights were even synchronized with nearby traffic signals out of concern the spectacle might distract drivers and cause a traffic jam or accidents, according to Suzuki.

Over the years, her designs have included a palm tree bending in the wind of Hurricane Iniki, the rainfall-evaporation cycle, and a malo-clad Hawaiian raising a calabash to the heavens, which was the old Board of Water Supply logo.

"All our screens started with when it rains, something happens, like a tree would grow or a flower would bloom," Suzuki said.

In recent years, however, there’s been no time to make new light displays. But Suzuki has continued doing designs for the agency’s trucks.

One of her favorites was the 1996 parade truck that carried a carousel of reindeer — or rather "R-A-I-N-deer, so kind of a play on words," she said with a laugh. "It even turned, rotated around."

She’s also done trucks decorated with waves, palm trees, shave Ice, isle flowers and music-related items.

When Suzuki first started designing the Board of Water Supply trucks for the Electric Light Parade in 1993, the task was challenging because she didn’t know what kind of truck would be available. Suzuki then lobbied to have the truck on display for an extended period after the parade because "the boys" put so much effort into decorating it.

"It so happened there was a truck they were pulling out of service, so they were able to park it on the lawn. Ever since, we’ve been getting at least one new truck a year, so it will always be that one, before it’s thrown into service with the fleet. So (the parade) is its inauguration."

Her husband, John Suzuki, a civil engineer at the Board of Water Supply, said the holiday truck is a big morale booster. "You hear a lot of negativity because of the (water) main breaks we have — the repair work, the traffic that we cause. But when you walk in the parade, and with the lighted truck, the employees, the manager, they all feel good because people are actually cheering that one time of the year for something nice."

The truck also become a feel-good touchstone of the holidays for the community.

"Families have grown up with the truck as their Christmas card," he said. "I have a friend who always asks me, ‘Where’s your truck? I gotta get my Christmas cards out already!’"

Sheryl Suzuki said that, traditionally, the design of the truck has been a closely held secret.

"Way back when, we always used to keep it quiet from the public, too. They’d ask and we’d go, ‘We don’t know.’"

This year it will be a surprise to her as well, because her colleagues have left her in the dark about the design. Still, Suzuki’s eyes light up and she breaks into a wide smile at the thought of riding the Board of Water Supply truck in the Electric Light Parade.

"They’re going all-out, and I really appreciate all that they’re doing," she said. "I hope we surprise the community. … I keep reminding the boys it’s for the community, it’s for the kids. So even when I’m gone, they should be able to carry on."