The Honolulu City Lights – Christmas in Hawaii

Following last year’s “Christmas in Paradise – The Honolulu City Lights” photo post, I’d like to share what went down at Honolulu Hale this holiday season. There were a few notable changes, including the seahorses standing guard outside the exhibition building, an octopus added to the main fountain area (a new addition to Hawaiian Santa’s posse) and an especially impressive display of wreaths in the annual contest (scroll down for the first place winner – a beautiful peacock made from old CDs).

Iolani Palace was open for night tours as well, as you can see from the long line in the photo above. The daytime tour is impressive enough; I can hardly imagine how beautiful it must be during the night.

As in the past year, the Christmas tree and outdoor displays were surrounded by lights, carnival rides and an illuminated train circling the grounds. The sweet and savory smell of Leonard’s Malasadas filled the air, courtesy of their busy truck, as well as the scent of kettle corn from nearby vendors. A trolley would occasionally pass, making itself known with lots of cheerful noise. And of course, there was the Christmas tree, standing tall with its changing display of lights.

Beautiful as always; Catching the Honolulu City Lights is a tradition I will never get tired of.


Honolulu City Lights - Christmas 2012 - Iolani Palace

Honolulu City Lights - Christmas 2012 - Santa Claus

Honolulu City Lights - Christmas 2012 - Tree and Moon

Honolulu City Lights - Christmas 2012 - Christmas Tree

Honolulu City Lights - Christmas 2012 - Lorax

Honolulu City Lights - Christmas 2012 - Fish Tree

Honolulu City Lights - Christmas 2012 - Peach the Starfish

Honolulu City Lights - Christmas 2012 - Gingerbread House

Honolulu City Lights - Christmas 2012 - Rocket Santa

Honolulu City Lights - Christmas 2012 - Undersea Tree

Honolulu City Lights - Christmas 2012 - Wreath Exhibit

Honolulu City Lights - Christmas 2012 - Hawaiian Music Wreath

Honolulu City Lights - Christmas 2012 - Toy Soldiers Wreath

Honolulu City Lights - Christmas 2012 - Bugs Wreath

Honolulu City Lights - Christmas 2012 - Peacock Wreath

Honolulu City Lights - Christmas 2012 - Full Moon

Honolulu City Lights - Christmas 2012 - Sign

Honolulu City Lights - Christmas 2012 - Tree Bulbs

Honolulu City Lights - Christmas 2012 - Rudolph and Sleigh

Honolulu City Lights - Christmas 2012 - Tree and Star

Honolulu City Lights - Christmas 2012 - Train with Steam

Honolulu City Lights - Christmas 2012 - Carnival Ride

Honolulu City Lights 2012 - Leonard's Malasadas

Honolulu City Lights 2012 - Mele Kalikimaka

Honolulu City Lights - Christmas 2012 - Lights and Moon

Honolulu City Lights - Christmas 2012 - Seahorses

Honolulu City Lights - Christmas 2012 - Octopus and Tree

Honolulu City Lights - Christmas 2012 - Kamehameha