Holualoa Ushers In Holidays With Music, Lights

The Holualoa Village Association celebrates the holiday season Saturday, Dec. 7, with its 17th annual Music & Light Festival.

The free public event begins with the lighting of the Village Christmas tree on the lawn of the old library at dusk and runs until 8:30 p.m. The popular family outing is sponsored by the Holualoa Inn and Mountain Thunder Kona Coffee.

After the tree lighting Santa will arrive in his convertible “sleigh” and take his place at the Holualoa Gallery beside the Post Office to greet children and hear their Christmas wishes. Village merchants have donated small gifts and treats for every keiki who visits with Santa.

Holiday music will be performed by John Keawe at the pink Kona Hotel, Mele ‘Ohana and James South on the old library lawn and Gen & Yumi on the Studio 7 lanai.

The Living Hope Church band will play at 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. Impromptu performances by ukulele enthusiasts at the Holualoa Ukulele Gallery are also expected.

Most of the historic town’s art galleries and gift shops will offer visitors beverages, pupus or holiday specials on the latest creations from Holualoa wood workers, artists and ceramicists.

As visitors stroll the half mile of Mamalahoa Highway between the Holualoa School and Ipu Hale Gallery, they will find food vendors with crepes, plate lunches, dessert treats and beverages for sale. The Holuakoa Gardens & Cafe will be presenting dinners featuring locally grown produce, fresh fish and meats. Reservations are recommended. Call 322-2233.

Traffic along Mamalahoa Highway between the Holualoa School and Imin Center will be restricted to alternating single-lane one-way traffic between 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. to accommodate the crowds. No parking will be allowed in town but will be available at the Imin Center, Holualoa School and village parking lot next to the library.