The public is invited to the sixth annual “Christmas in the Park — Garden Enchantment” this Friday and Saturday night in Liliu‘okalani Gardens and Park.
During the hours of 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., various areas of the park along Banyan Drive in Hilo will be decorated with Christmas lights and other holiday decorations.
The event is coordinated by the Friends of Liliu‘okalani Gardens.
On Friday, the event will open with a blessing by kumu Moses Kaho‘okele Crabbe at 4:30 p.m.
Rotary Clubs will then provide bokashi balls for people to toss into Waihonu Pond at specific locations from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Keiki will be able to take photos at a booth with the Grinch on Friday and Santa Claus on Saturday.
Friends of Lili‘uokalani Gardens also is asking for volunteers for each night to distribute programs, answer questions and to help people navigate the park.
Those interested in volunteering can call K.T. Cannon-Eger, president of the nonprofit, at (808) 895-8130 or email at ktcannoneger@gmail.com.
There will be several light displays around the park sponsored by Hilo Liko Lehua, Urasenke Tea Society of Hilo, the Hilo Lions Club, Rotary Clubs of East Hawaii, the Hawaii USA Federal Credit Union, United Way and many other local organizations and businesses.
“Friends of Lili‘uokalani Gardens started in a very subdued way illuminating the stone lanterns around the pond on Christmas Eve in 2017, which was the year centennial celebrations for the park began,” Cannon-Eger said. “Every year, we would add a little more. In 2020, Matt and Dawn Kaneali‘i-Kleinfelder approached us with the idea of going bigger and lighting the monkeypod tree, which was a suggestion from their children.”
Live performances will begin at 6 p.m. on Friday with the Volcano Festival Chorus. Keonepoko Chorus will follow at 6:30 p.m., and the evening will be wrapped by the Hilo Community Players at 7 p.m.
The Players will return to perform at 6 p.m. on Saturday.
Na Hoku Huihui, a group of astronomers, will set up a telescope at the sago palm patch near the western torii gate, so attendees can view the stars.
“Last year, we estimated 2,000 walked through the park and another 2,000 drove by the perimeter,” Cannon-Eger said. “4,000 people made it a point to see the Christmas lights, and we’re guessing there will be more this year.”
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com.