Honolulu City Lights: A bright spot during this pandemic

by Michelle Orian-Lau | Dec. 3, 2020

Around this time last year, my fellow Hawaiian Electric volunteers and I were putting the finishing touches on our holiday parade float. Testing the lights, making sure the decorations were secure and getting supplies ready for our part in the annual Honolulu City Lights Public Workers Electric Light Parade.

Unfortunately, like most other events this year, the coronavirus pandemic has put a damper on festivities. To keep everyone safe, the Honolulu City Lights Opening Night event, including the parade, has been canceled for 2020. It makes sense. Opening Night typically draws a huge crowd to downtown Honolulu. And that’s not what we need right now if we’re going to beat this pandemic.

But that doesn’t have to stop all the fun. On Dec. 9, the Honolulu City Lights will come to life again, just scaled back so that it can be enjoyed as a drive-by event. Shaka Santa and Tutu Mele will still be perched on the fountain in front of Honolulu Hale. The big tree will still be shining bright. And the trees on the city grounds will twinkle as they have been for last 35 years. (Many other displays will be missing this year to avoid crowds gathering for photo opportunities.)

Visiting the Honolulu City Lights has been a long-standing tradition for many local families. Since this year is so different, it’s a perfect time for reminiscing at home. If you pulled out a photo album, there’s a good chance you’d have at least one picture of your family smiling in front of one of the many displays. If you don’t, no worries. You can tune into the TV special, A Holiday Tradition: Honolulu City Lights Let’s Celebrate Together. The one-hour program was produced by the Friends of Honolulu City Lights, the non-profit organization devoted to supporting annual event, to help take the place of in-person events.

In the show, organizers and participants share their fondest memories of the event that grew from humble beginnings to a month-long celebration with larger-than-life displays, a light parade, entertainment, food and so much more. Herb Ohta Jr. and Jon Yamasato and the Makaha Sons also perform holiday favorites.

Make sure to check out one of the broadcasts below.

• Saturday, Dec. 5, 6 p.m. on ‘Ōlelo 53
• Saturday, Dec. 5, 7 p.m. on KGMB
• Sunday, Dec. 6, 10:30 p.m. on KHNL
• Monday, Dec. 7, 8 p.m. on KFVE
• Tuesday, Dec. 15 10:30 p.m. on ‘Ōlelo 53
• Thursday, Dec. 24, 12:30 p.m. ‘Ōlelo 53
• Friday, Dec. 25, 7 a.m. on KFVE
• Friday, Dec. 25, 8 a.m. on ‘Ōlelo 53

The city department trees that usually decorate Honolulu Hale’s courtyard will also be displayed online this year. Visit the City and County of Honolulu’s website for more information on how to view them.

And if you’re looking for a great holiday gift idea, consider purchasing the latest Honolulu City Lights ornament. All proceeds support the annual event.

So even though our parade float supplies remain in storage, we’ll still enjoy this year’s Honolulu City Lights…safely. And we hope you will, too.

Aloha and Mele Kalikimaka!

Michelle Orian-Lau is a senior communications consultant at Hawaiian Electric Company.