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The city’s Christmas tree adorns the lawn of Honolulu Hale, above. At left, crowds enjoyed the festivities around the fully lit tree.

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The Honolulu City Lights display continues to Jan. 1.

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A trio of dancing Christmas lights made their debut during the parade.

CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARADVERTISER.COM

Gavan O’Reilly, 22, aired out on his BMX at Keolu Skatepark in Kailua on Friday. O’Reilly learned to ride BMX style from his father and also races motocross.

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On campus in Kapolei, Island Pacific Academy students Carson Lofton, left, Jacob Williams, Taylor Kimura and Andrew Peacock on Tuesday carried bags of rice, part of 11,045 pounds of food collected by the school for donation to the Hawaii Foodbank.

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It seems Santa gained some weight as city workers Terry Terukina, left, and Hilton Lau had to stretch to attach Santa’s belt Tuesday during the installation of Honolulu’s Christmas display that features Shaka Santa and his partner, Tutu Mele, dipping their toes in the fountain at Honolulu Hale. City workers also erected several of the other large lawn displays traditionally installed on the Diamond Head side of Honolulu Hale. The annual tree lighting and holiday parade will take place Saturday.

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Kevin Hart, who describes himself as a homeless Air Force veteran, cleared away grass clippings Tuesday from the words that explain that Operation Red Wings Medal of Honor Park in Kahala is dedicated to the Pearl Harbor SEALs who died during Operation Red Wings and to all Hawaii Medal of Honor recipients. The action in Afghanistan, on June 28, 2005, resulted in Lt. Michael Murphy, a Navy SEAL, being awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously when, in complete disregard of his own life, he moved into the open to transmit a call to get help for his men.

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Fishermen tried their luck during low tide as the sun began to set at Ala Moana Beach Park earlier this week.

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Francis “Flash” Tirado, dressed as Santa, and Bill Lui as an elf, handed out toys to keiki Wednesday on Farrington Highway in front of the Aloha Kia car dealership in Waipahu. Tirado, who said his electrical business had a good year, decided to share it with children he saw in cars stopped at the intersection.

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Francis “Flash” Tirado stowed the toys in the bobsled used in the film “Cool Runnings,” about the Jamaican Olympic bobsled team. The duo plans to return to the same spot today at 3 p.m.

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Saint Francis School alumnae Stephanie Phillips, left, and Julia Brown joined alumni association president Carol Caspillo on Saturday to protest the relocation of 24 nuns from a conventnear Saint Francis School in Manoa to an assisted-living facility in Pearl City.

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Doug Ayers, dressed as Santa, and Wesley Smith, left, played volleyball Christmas Eve at Ala Moana Beach. The duo beat friends Adam Ledwell and Alexandra Nagelvoort 21-19 during a festive get-together as the sun dipped toward the horizon.

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Sam Au of Bo Wah Trading Co. in Chinatown placed packs of firecrackers out for sale at his shop on Saturday, the first day that fireworks can be purchased in Honolulu by peoplewho have permits.

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Sam Ambrose took his sons, Kaito, 9, and Haruki, 6, out Sunday for a lively time shooting hoops at the outdoor basketball courts at Mother Waldron Playground in Kakaako — it was a great time to break in the brand-new basketball shoes they all got (without getting the shoes too dirty). Here, Sam defends Kaito under the basket as Haruki looks on.

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Tim Johannsen, left, Blaine Banks, Callie Jones-Hughes, Aaron Hyman and Jacob Haobenreich pose with their catch at Kewalo Basin Harbor after a pre-Christmas fishing trip aboard the Blue Nun.

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Santa was spotted playing volleyball on Ala Moana Beach. Doug Ayers, dressed as Santa, teamed up with Wesley Smith to beat friends during a pre-Christmas get together as the sun dipped toward the horizon.

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A shelf at Bo Wah Trading Co. in Chinatown is stocked with packs of firecrackers out for sale on December 26, the first day that fireworks could be purchased in Honolulu by the general public with the proper fireworks permit.

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Natasha Freeman, 12, takes a turn down the slide of the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse inflatable at Youth Day at the Park in Waipahu. The rainy weather kept attendance light at the outdoor event, which was an effort to promote community wellness and an active lifestyle, and to bring the community together. The free Youth Day at the Park was put on by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Hawaii Chapter and The Active Hawaii Organization at Waipahu District Park on Dec. 26.

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Devin Gates, 11, takes a bite of his hot dog while 3-year-old brother, William, looks on at right, at the Youth Day at the Park event in Waipahu. The rainy weather kept attendance light at the outdoor event, which was an effort to promote community wellness and an active lifestyle, and to bring the community together. The free Youth Day at the Park was put on by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Hawaii Chapter and The Active Hawaii Organization at Waipahu District Park on Dec. 26.

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Miki Watanabe of Pearl City, middle, with son, Kaili, 6, and Ailee, 11, sat for a quick bite of hot dogs at the Youth Day at the Park in Waipahu. The rainy weather kept attendance light at the outdoor event, which was an effort to promote community wellness and an active lifestyle, and to bring the community together. The free Youth Day at the Park was put on by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Hawaii Chapter and The Active Hawaii Organization at Waipahu District Park on Dec. 26.

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Ailee Watanabe, 11, sat for a free body painting by Carole Reynolds at the Youth Day at the Park in Waipahu. The rainy weather kept attendance light at the outdoor event, which was an effort to promote community wellness and an active lifestyle, and to bring the community together. The free Youth Day at the Park was put on by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Hawaii Chapter and The Active Hawaii Organization at Waipahu District Park on Dec. 26.

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The Hawaii Youth Symphony performed Wednesday, the last day of its 45th Annual “Listen & Learn” educational concerts at the Blaisdell Concert Hall. Students from more than 50 schools attended the concerts that began Monday.

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A crowd of spectators watched the opening of the presentation.

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Kids were fishing for tilapia and crabs at the small pond at the entrance to Ala Moana Beach Park on Monday. Eric Tainatongo, left, and his brother Gabriel Tainatongo joinedKai‘ea McKillop — proudly holding a tilapia — and Jack Poiani.

CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARADVERTISER.COM

Two poi dogs named March and Mia were bedecked in bandannas and balloons at the Art & Flea Holidaze Chinatown Market held Saturday on Nuuanu Street. Theurban market featured vendors, DJs, food and more for last-minute Christmas shoppers looking for local and handcrafted gifts.

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Jodie Dezsy danced with her son, Dylan, 5, and daughter, Liv, 2, minutes before the start of the Jingle Rock Run’s Keiki Sprint events Sunday at Iolani Palace.

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Susan Takahashi took her dog, Boy, out for a walk in the wet weather Friday along California Avenue in Wahiawa. Boy’s raincoat also has a hood, which was left at home. Boy likes to go out walking rain or shine, and he doesn’t mind getting wet a bit.

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A swimming duck was reflected in calm water earlier this week at Kapiolani Park.

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Marathon Kokua volunteer Joan Davis, left, a volunteer for more than 25 years, helped Aiea resident and marathon finisher Diana Merrill obtain her Honolulu Marathon finishercertificate Monday at Kapiolani Park in Waikiki.

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Chabad of Hawaii on Oahu joined other Jewish congregations on the neighbor islands in a simultaneous lighting of the menorah Sunday. Rabbi Mendel Krasnjansky lighted the menorah at King Kalakaua Park in Waikiki. Hawaii has the honor of holding the last public lighting of the menorah of the year in the world because of its geographic location.

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Leilehua High School seniors Dillon Fujino, left, Jay-Ryan Digap and Lancen Hambaro competed Saturday during the third annual Hawaiian Electric Companies Hawaii State VEX Championship at the Pearl City High School cafeteria. The robotics tournament featured 32 high school teams, with six teams qualifying for the VEX World Championship in Louisville, Ky., in April.

CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARADVERTISER.COM

With two weeks to go before Christmas, parking at Pearlridge Center was getting tight Friday. The mall will be open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. from Sunday through Dec. 23.

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Angels danced as Mary and Joseph (portrayed by Mandy Garcia and Matthew McQuade) held baby Jesus in the stable, surrounded by shepherds and the three kings in a live Nativity scene Monday evening. As a way to give back to the community for its generosity, every year the Salvation Army presents the live Nativity on the Salvation Army’s campus in Manoa.

CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARADVERTISER.COM

Eric Villaver drove through the obstacle course at Thursday’s TheBus Roadeo at the Kalihi transit facility. Fifteen bus drivers took place in the annual event, which also included timed runs and maneuvering challenges involving the 35-foot buses. Villaver was a first-time competitor. Handi-Van operators had their own competition, involving 12 operators on a modified course.

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Santa gave an excited Patrica Centeio, age 2, a hug Thursday at Loliana Hale, a transitional shelter for the homeless. Sacred Hearts Academy students sang carols, provided treats and drinks, played games and helped Santa, a Sacred Hearts student, hand out gifts to the 84 children who live at the shelter

BRUCE ASATO / BASATO@STARADVERTISER.COM

Angels danced as Mary and Joseph (portrayed by Mandy Garcia and Matthew McQuade) held baby Jesus in the stable, surrounded by shepherds and the three kings in a live Nativity scene Monday evening. As a way to give back to the community for its generosity, every year the Salvation Army presents the live Nativity on the Salvation Army’s campus in Manoa.

DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARADVERTISER.COM

A double rainbow suddenly appeared over Punchbowl during a light rain shower this week. It disappeared as quickly as it appeared.

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A crowd of spectators watched the opening of the presentation.

CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARADVERTISER.COM

Julie Heddon, a goalkeeper on the University of Hawaii water polo team, created some elegant moments during a morning practice session Tuesday at the UH pool.

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Norene Yamamoto and Kris Kokame shared a laugh at the East-West Center Holiday Craft Fair on Friday, Dec. 4. Yamamoto, who has participated in the fair for the past six years, was busy selling succulents and air plants, which she propagated along with hand crafted magnets. The two-day craft fair also featured toys, jewelry, food, quilted items and other handmade goods.

CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARADVERTISER.COM

Lindon Kanakanui, fourth-grade teacher at Kaimuki Christian Church & School, practices with his students for the Thursday, Dec. 3 Kaimuki Christmas parade.

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This year’s Honolulu City Lights celebration kicked off on Saturday with rides, food and more leading to the lighting of the city’s Christmas tree. A train full of riders made its way down King Street as part of the Electric Light Parade.