Department of Parks and Recreation Ka ʻOihana Mālama Pāka a me nā Hana Hoʻonanea

 

Kapolei City Lights Banner 2023

E komo mai (welcome) to the official website of the Kapolei City Lights Celebration sponsored by the City and County of Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR)! Since the inaugural celebration in 2001, Kapolei City Lights has been spreading holiday cheer to this ever-growing Leeward O‘ahu community as a complement to Honolulu City Lights. 

This year’s theme of “A Westside Wonderland” will feature decorations inspired by historic, cultural, and recreational aspects of our Leeward communities,  From Waipahū to Kaʻena Point, Westside pride will be on full display inside the hale with themed decorations and holiday trees decorated by a variety of City departments and community organizations, including the Wai‘anae Neighborhood Board and Kanehili Community Association.All are invited to come and experience this free spectacle. Come take a walk in the country this holiday season and enjoy “A Westside Wonderland!”         

These decorations will be open for free public viewing from Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023 through Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024 under the following schedule:

  • Monday – Thursday = 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Friday - Sunday & Holidays = 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Kapolei City Lights Exterior Decorations in 2019  Kapolei City Lights Decorated Tree & Lights

Holiday Tree

Serving as the centerpiece for this community celebration, our Division of Urban Forestry searches island-wide for a Cook Pine Tree to select for this festive occassion. It can't just be any old pine tree; our arborists look for tree with full and evenly dispersed branches/foliage, that is at least 50' tall and must be in a location where they can safely harvest and transport it to Kapolei Hale. It takes a lot of work and coordination! After it is installed, the tree measures 45' from the ground and is adorned with a luminous array of lights and ornaments. For 2023, the tree was harvested from Maka‘unulau Community Park in Mililani. 

kapolei city lights tree harvest kapolei city lights tree install

 

Opening Night Block Party: Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. 

Kapolei City Lights officially begins with the Opening Night Block Party showcasing plenty of live music, over two dozen food trucks, and loads of local vendors from 5 p.m.  to 9 p.m. near Kapolei Hale. We’ve got so much planned for this party we are taking over several streets for the event, including: Ulu‘ōhi‘a, Ala Kahawai, ‘Alohikea, and Kama‘aha Ave.

Enjoy an amazing lineup of local entertainment and events on the stage near the intersection of Ala Kahawai and ‘Alohikea streets.  Emceed by Councilmember Augie Tulba and Comedian Rodney Villanueva, this venue will offer the following scheduled performances:

  • 5 p.m. = Kaulana Vinoya Duo
  • 6:30 p.m. = Nesian 9 (restart at 7:15 p.m.)
  • 7 p.m. = Mayor’s Tree Lighting Ceremony
  • 8 p.m. = AJ Keolanui Band

 

Kapolei City Lights 2023 Holiday Parade Route Map

Map of the parade route and affected streets for the 2023 Holiday Parade on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023

 

Holiday Parade: Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023 beginning 6 p.m. outside of Kapolei High School 

Along with the block party, opening night festivities will feature the luminous Holiday Parade, with dozens of decked-out vehicles, floats, and VIPs displaying their holiday spirit beginning at 6 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 9. The parade route starts outside Kapolei High School on Fort Barrette Rd., takes a left on Kapolei Pkwy., and ends at Kealakapu St.

If you miss the parade, a selection of some of the parade vehicles and floats will be available for public viewing on ‘Alohikea St. (between Ala Kahawai and Kama‘aha) following the parade through the end of the block party.

Kapolei City Lights City Bus in Parade 2016

To ensure the safety of everyone enjoying the Opening Night Block Party & Holiday Parade, a variety of road closures and vehicular parking restrictions will be in place before and immediately after the events on Saturday, Dec. 9. These include (but are not limited to):

            Parking Prohibitions:

  • Ulu‘ōhi‘a St. from Haumea to Kama‘aha (5 a.m. to 11 p.m.)
  • Eastside of Fort Barrette Rd. from Kapolei Pkwy. to Roosevelt Ave. (5 a.m. to 11 p.m.)
  • Ala Kahawai St. from Ulu‘ōhi‘a to ‘Alohikea (5 a.m. to 11 p.m.)
  • ‘Alohikea St. from Kamokila Blvd. to Kapolei Pkwy. (1 p.m. to 11 p.m.)

            Road Closures:

  • Fort Barrette Rd from Kama‘aha Ave. to Roosevelt Ave.
  • Kapolei Parkway from Kamokila Boulevard to Kunehi St.
  • Two-way traffic from Kunehi to Fort Barrette Rd. on mauka half of roadway
  • All of the streets in the immediate area around the block party including sections of: Ulu‘ōhi‘a, Ala Kahawai, ‘Alohikea, and Kama‘aha Ave.

Kapolei Hale Cleanup

In the spirit of giving back for the holidays our partners with the Department of Facility Maintenance are organizing a volunteer cleanup around Kapolei Hale following the block party and parade on Sunday, Dec. 10 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. No experience is needed, just show up ready for some volunteering! Sun protection, closed-toe shoes, and other protective clothing are recommended. For more information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Kapolei City Lights Volunteer Cleanup Flyer December 10 2023

 

Did you miss the opening night festivities on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022? No worries! Click here to watch a video montage of the block party & parade.

 

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