As the Times Square Ball Drop in New York welcomes 2019, the Town Center of Mililani Pineapple Drop will also light up the night, 7 p.m. Monday (midnight at Times Square), with a 12-foot-tall pineapple made up of more than 2,500 light bulbs.
The family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration kicks off with performances by the Asian Lion Dance Team and Ryugen Taiko, followed by a concert with headliners Josh Tatofi and Kalapana. The actual “drop” features a countdown, confetti cannons and a New Year haka.
“Last year we started another new tradition and asked everyone to do the ‘Pineapple Slide’ (think ‘Electric Slide’) at the end of the night, and the audience loved it,” said event organizer Mona Wood-Sword, “so we’ll be closing with that again this year.”
Eventgoers will be allowed to enter the designated area in the parking lot at noon. Picnic mats, blankets and low chairs are allowed. Coolers and barbecue grills are prohibited. There will also be free Pineapple Drop temporary tattoos, limited Pineapple Drop T-shirts and an Instagram contest to win prizes throughout the festivities.
In addition to residents of the Central Oahu community, visitors from near and far are welcome, Wood-Sword added.
“With our Instagram-crazy culture, the Pineapple Drop is the perfect place to take a selfie or video to post,” Wood-Sword said. “We really want our event to become a destination event. I’d love to see our Pineapple Drop pop up in posts from around the world.”
TOWN CENTER OF MILILANI PINEAPPLE DROP
>> Where: 95-1249 Meheula Parkway
>> When: 5 to 7:30 p.m. Monday
>> Cost: Free
>> Info: towncenterofmililani.com
