Kauaʻi holiday events include parades, new festival in memory of West Side historian

December has finally arrived – and with it, community events across Kaua‘i to celebrate the holiday season.

Parades on the East and West sides of the Garden Isle will bookend the month full of festivities, starting on Dec. 6 with the Lights on Rice, the annual Christmas parade in downtown Līhu‘e.

The holiday public events will end on Dec. 21 with the 24th annual Waimea Light Parade that this year is themed: “Not All Heroes Wear Capes.”

This parade, which will take place in one of the westernmost communities on Kaua‘i, is expanding with the newly created West Kauaʻi Mo‘olelo Festival that is in memory of esteemed West Kaua‘i historian, storyteller and community leader Aletha Goodwin Kaohi.

“Aletha is truly a treasure for not just Kaua‘i, but Hawai‘i overall … I would say for our world,” said Julie Morikawa, president of the workforce development nonprofit ClimbHI.

Morikawa produced the 15-minute documentary “Aletha,” which was filmed before Kaohi’s death and featured at the 2024 Hawai‘i International Film Festival.

Kaohi died earlier this year at age 93. Her achievements included work to formally rename the state historic site Pāʻulaʻula, which had previously been designated Russian Fort Elizabeth. She also is responsible for the statue of King Kaumuali‘i now located at Pāʻulaʻula.

And, Kaohi advised the community group now restoring the oldest house on Kaua‘i, providing it with the name Hale Puna, which means “House of Limestone.”

The Historic Waimea Theater & Cultural Arts Center, which organizes the Waimea Light Parade, collaborated with ClimbHI to establish the West Kauaʻi Mo‘olelo Festival.

A special 30-minute cut of the documentary “Aletha” will be screened at the festival on an outdoor screen.

Meanings of the word mo‘olelo include story, tale, myth, history and tradition. The festival is projected in future years to include mo‘olelo from around the world.

“The festival serves as a place for local storytelling in West Kaua‘i, helping perpetuate Hawaiian culture and the rich history of Kaua‘i that Aletha held so dear,” Morikawa said.

For more information about the Waimea Light Parade, the West Kauaʻi Mo‘olelo Festival and other December events on Kaua‘i, read on. Listed events are in chronological order.

Dec. 6 – Lights on Rice parade (Līhu‘e)

It is one of the largest annual attractions on Kaua‘i, with the island community gathering along Rice Street in downtown Līhu‘e to cheer on festive parade floats galore.

This year’s parade has swelled to about 60 units with 3,000 performers, according to organizers. For more information, visit the Lights on Rice website.

Dec. 7 – Holly Jolly Holiday Fair (Līhu‘e)

Featured artisans of the fair represent Kaua‘i Made, the official program of Kaua‘i County to identify and promote products made on Kaua‘i, by Kaua‘i residents.

Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus are among the live entertainers scheduled to appear at the fair. Gourmet treats and holiday goodies will be available for purchase.

For more information, visit the Holly Jolly event listing on kauaifestivals.com.

Dec. 13-15 – The Great Toy Exchange (Līhu‘e)

This year, the nonprofit Mālama Kaua‘i is continuing a tradition started by the now-closed Kaua‘i Store: The Great Toy Exchange, a free toy sharing and recycling event.

For more information, including volunteer registration and donation drop-off and shopping hours, visit Mālama Kaua‘i on Instagram and Facebook.

Dec. 14, 20 – Kaua‘i Ballet Academy presents “The Nutcracker” (Līhu‘e & Waimea)

The academy will present matinee and evening performances of “The Nutcracker” at venues across the island, including Kaua‘i Community College in Puhi and the Historic Waimea Theater.

For more information about the Kaua‘i Ballet Academy, visit kauaiballetacademy.com. To purchase tickets, click here.

Dec. 14, 21 – holiday concerts at Anaina Hou Community Park (Kīlauea)

Anaina Hou Community Park, an entertainment venue on the North Shore of Kaua‘i, has two holiday concerts scheduled in December.

Multi-award-winning Grammy nominees Henry Kapono and the Boys in the Band will deliver a night of joy, laughter and holiday music on Dec. 14, during their “Merry Christmas To You” concert in the Porter Pavilion.

Vocalist, poet and ‘ukulele player Paula Fuga will be “Home for the Holidays” on Dec. 21 at the Porter Pavilion. The award-winning artist has graced stages at Madison Square Garden, The Sydney Opera House and the White House. For more information on both concerts, visit anainahou.org.

Dec. 21 – Waimea Light Parade and West Kauaʻi Mo‘olelo Festival (Waimea)

This colorful West Side tradition concludes with a holiday concert in Hofgaard Park at the center of town. The parade’s 2024 grand marshal is the late Aletha Goodwin Kaohi, who will be represented by members of her family.

For more information about the Waimea Light Parade and the West Kauaʻi Mo‘olelo Festival, visit waimealightparade.com and climbhi.org/festival.