LAHAINA — Each year, LahainaTown Action Committee invites a VIP to turn on the thousands of lights on Lahaina’s Banyan Tree to mark the beginning of the holiday season.
This year, the honor goes to Lahaina Restoration Foundation Executive Director Emeritus Jim Luckey. The tree lighting is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 6, at 6:30 p.m. in Banyan Tree Park. Special lights at the Wharf Cinema Center and Pioneer Inn will be turned on simultaneously.
The Holiday Lighting of the Banyan Tree begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, with continuous entertainment and a holiday arts and crafts fair by local artists.
Meet artists creating wonderful, handmade island arts and crafts. There will be many gift possibilities just in time for holiday shopping.
Entertainment throughout the day will include Wilmont Kahaialii Jr., Na Kupuna ‘Ohana Serenaders, Lahaina Baptist Church Choir and other groups.
The big excitement begins at 3 p.m. when ten tons of snow arrives. With the donation of one item of nonperishable food, children ages 2-12 can participate in supervised fun in the snow zone. All food collected will be donated to Lightbringers to help feed the needy in West Maui. The snow zone will be open from 3 to 6 p.m.
The festival continues on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with arts, crafts and entertainment. Maui Jam, Michael Kollwitz (Chapman Stick) and other groups will perform.
The holiday lights on the Banyan Tree will be lit every evening throughout the holiday season. LahainaTown Action Committee is a nonprofit community organization making Lahaina a better place to live, work and visit. Call 667-9175 for more information.
In related news, at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, The Wharf Cinema Center will present Christmas and Hawaiian melodies by Ron and Damon on center stage.
Immediately following the lighting of the Banyan Tree across Front Street, the beating of drums will call Na Kamali‘i O Ke Akua hula troupe back to The Wharf.
At 7:30 p.m., Maui Academy of Performing Arts will culminate the evening with dance. Everyone is welcome, and admission is free. Call 661-8748 for more information.