Honolulu City Lights Opening Night

Honolulu City Lights began in 1985, when Mayor Frank F. Fasi lit a 50-foot Norfolk pine decorated with wooden doves on the lawn of Honolulu Hale. Presented by the City and County of Honolulu with the Friends of Honolulu City Lights, opening night lights up the civic center and its giant displays, led by the 21-foot Shaka Santa that has sat on the fountain since 1989. The Public Workers' Electric Light Parade rolls down King Street from Chinatown to the civic center, and the Friends sell official ornaments that night.

Our take: For a calmer view of the parade, watch in Chinatown or downtown between River Street and Fort Street Mall, where crowds are smaller and parking and restaurants are close.