2022 Update for Punalights: Stan and his family and crew have again worked their magic in creating another beautiful event for the Big Island community to enjoy. Punalights is now open, through the end of December. You can visit the display at the Oshiro residence in Hawaiian Paradise Park at 15-2053 18th Avenue, Keaau. You can find them by entering “Punalights” into your Google Maps or Apple Maps. The event is open every night from 7-9pm, with expanded hours of 7-10pm once the schools let out for Christmas Break. Music is designed to go with the show and can be accessed on FM radio chanel 106.7. As with all prior years, the Oshiro family is not charging to come and enjoy all of their hard work, but they would appreciate donations of cash or non-expired, non-perishable food for the Hawaii Food Bank. New this year are two angel wing selfie stations – one set for adult heights, one set at child-level. See below for my original article, published in 2021.
I don’t know about you all, but I absolutely adore this time of year- the music, the eggnog, the lights, the eggnog, the inflatable characters, the eggnog… but I digress. We are so lucky to have a fantastic light display right here in Hawaiian Paradise Park: Punalights.
Punalights is the brilliant (literally and figuratively) display of lights, music, and wonderment created by Stanward Oshiro. Stanward began with a few hundred strands of lights to today’s astonishing display with almost 22,000 pixels that can be programmed to change colors. It is not your average nicely-lit house with a few cut outs or displays- the Oshiro property is truly transformed into a miracle of lights. There are arches, trees, snow flakes, candy canes, ornaments, a giant stocking, Santa hat, a Richard Holdman star, multi-functional displays, and a display that looks like fireworks. Oh yeah, the house is also lit up. Mr. Oshiro’s personal favorites are the firework displays (see below).
Since 2010, the public has been able to enjoy all of the Oshiro Ohana’s work. Cars are allowed to enter his property (a maximum of 20 at a time) to watch the show, which lasts 20-40 minutes and has its own dedicated radio station that plays music to accompany the displays. There are no reservations, it is first come, first served, and Stanward shares that he could not do it without the help of his wonderful family and his neighbor, Kit Carson, who directs traffic EVERY. SINGLE. NIGHT. (Kit also helps mow the yard area so that cars can easily park to view the spectacle).
There is no charge to enjoy this holiday wonder, but the Oshiros do accept cash and food donations for the Hawaii Food Basket. Donations can be given to any of the traffic control folks, and all donations go to support our community members.
When I asked Stanward why he continues to do this given the huge time and financial commitment, his response echoes the very spirit of the season- he loves to see the children’s (and their accompanying adults) faces light up when they see his show. He does not want any money for doing this, his payment is seeing how much the community appreciates his work. But a donation to the Food Bank is always appreciated.
You can keep up with the progress of Stanward’s work and the show by following his Facebook page @punalights
