Update to the Update! Aloha, Friends! Stan has asked that we pass along some updated information about visiting Punalights this year. From their Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/punalights/):
We strive to provide an enjoyable experience, but there is a balance between increasing people waiting in line, wait times, as well as the extra work our traffic-control crew needs to perform.
Due to the increased amount of traffic, we will now be enforcing new rules:
1. If you are the next automobile in queue, we ask that you not wait for an opening inside of my yard if it is full (thus requiring us to have the next car go around you)
2. If you are parked outside the fence and want to relocate to an open stall inside of my yard, we will only accomodate if there are no automobiles waiting in line
3. It is difficult for us to accomodate the requests for 2 automobiles (family/friends) to be able to park directly alongside each other (when all stalls are full). First come, first served.
Just some additional advice when coming down to our lightshow:
1. Slow down and stop for our Punalights traffic control people. We will tell you where you can park.
2. Food Basket donations can be given to any of our Traffic Control people.
3. Always have your headlights on when your car/truck is moving. It’s very dark here.
4. After you are parked, please turn off your headlights.
5. When you get here, be prepared to reverse your car into a parking stall. One of us will help you.
6. Please keep pathways clear for cars to move about.
7. Please watch where your children are at all times.
8. If there is a line of cars waiting to get in, please be patient. We will work as fast as we can to get you parked safely.
9. I rented a portable toilet from Hawaii Johns for your use.
10. We typically park small to medium cars in the front row, and all large fullsize trucks/SUVs are parked on the “top” near the roadway.
11. If your car/truck has a loud exhaust system, please do not let it idle while watching the show, this will disturb my neighbors as well as other people viewing the lightshow.
12. Put on a smile and enjoy the show!
2023 Update for Punalights: After suffering a number of setbacks due to weather and technical issues, Stan and his family and crew are happy to report that Punalights 2023 will beging THIS WEEKEND (December 15, 2023). They have again worked their magic in creating this free and family-friendly event for the Big Island community to enjoy. 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. Music is designed to go with the show and can be accessed on FM radio channel 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 is another selfie station (all you princesses and princes, step right up!), as well as bringing in a food truck (Full Bellies Food Wagon, then, Hui Come Eat) with covered and lighted seating for your snacking pleasure. 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
