The First Hawaiian Christmas December 21, 2011

Dec 21: 5th Annual Christmas Special Presentation of “Hawai`iana Live!” "A Makahiki Carol -The First Hawaiian Christmas" tells how the Christian holiday came to the Hawaiian islands.

Rick Mazeraski opens the show with the resounding strains of the Palace Theater's vintage pipe organ. Quack Moor shares a bit of the history of Hilo's historic Palace Theater before introducing the Palace Theater’s cultural practitioners, Leilehua Yuen and Manu Josiah as they use hula, chant, story, and song to depict the history of Christmas in Hawai`i.

A special video invites the audience to sing along.
After the video, "The Christmas Aunties," Joan Wheeler, Mrs. Kato, and Sue, add to the festivities for the annual Christmas presentation, joining
Manu and Leilehua for some old and new Hawaiian Christmas classics, including "A Makahiki Carol" and "It's Christmas Time in Hilo".

"Hawai`iana Live!" presents a different facet of Hawaiian history and culture each Wednesday at 11:00 am in the Palace Theater, 38 Haili St. Hilo. $5 general admission. Keiki under 12 free. For more information, on the theater and the show, call 934-7010.