Let there be light — Honolulu City Lights, that is

There’s been a lot of activity at City Hall this week, and it’s all leading up to Saturday’s annual Honolulu City Lights holiday opening.

That’s the day thousands of people will be descending at and around Honolulu Hale for the tree-lighting at 6:30 p.m., preceded by the 6 p.m. Electric Light Parade from Aala Park down King Street, followed by a 7:30 p.m. concert near the Sky Gate sculpture. Be aware that King Street will be closed between Punchbowl and Alapai/South streets from 4:30 to 9 p.m.

It all should be very festive — and crowded. For those unwilling or unable to see it all in person, ‘Olelo Community Media will be cablecasting the entire four-hour Honolulu City Lights celebration live. Festivities will air on ‘Olelo Channel 55 starting at 6 p.m. and be streamed live at www.olelo.org.

Warm aloha for the First Family’s holiday

The Obamas will return to Hawaii for the fourth December as the first family, with four more on the calendar and greetings throughout the island.

"They told me it’s the same as usual," a Windward Oahu resident told the Star-Advertiser, saying she had received notice of the trip — or trips — from a federal representative. Part of the Kawainui Channel and Kailua Beach could be closed in December for short periods.

The family could arrive as early as Dec. 17, if the president and Congress can reach an agreement to avoid a year-end "fiscal cliff" of tax controversy. Be prepared, then, for the president to arrive later than the rest of the family — but in the nick of time for Christmas.