LIHU‘E — A violin played, the people danced and the rains came down.
The Planning Director, strongly resembling a Dr. Seuss character, had swept down into the atrium of the Mo‘ikeha Building and made an attempt at cockroaching Christmas from a group of county employees, friends and family who congregated for the annual Holly Jolly event on Dec. 14.
Hosted by the county’s employees council, everything failed as Mrs. Regina Carvalho used Mayor Bernard Carvalho’s folder to ward off the rain, but the laughter from the audience softened the weather’s bite.
Lenny Rapozo, director for the Department of Parks and Recreation, was joined by Russell Wellington, a site manager, as the duo who opened its presentation of “Deck the Halls,” as all other personnel called in sick or had another reason they couldn’t attend.
Working through the sounds of Christmas, one by one, the resources of the department appeared, finishing the presentation with a full song-and-dance production demonstrating the depth of talent available in the department.
The presentation earned the Maika‘i Loa, or Overall Champion, Award for the Parks Department from the panel of judges, who were safely sequestered away from the threat of rain or wind.
With the Parks Department in control of the Overall Champion title, the Planning Department earned the John Travolta, or Best Choreography and Dancing Ability, Award for its unique presentation where even the Christmas tree danced in glee.
The Planning Department, with its wreath fashioned from Coke cans, was the Po‘o Manao, or Creative Wreath, Award winner.
A take-off from the popular “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” earned Council Services the LOL, or Best Comedic Ability, Award when Council Chair Jay Furfaro assumed the role of Santa and, one by one, doled out Christmas requests to the individual Kaua‘i County Council members in “Da New County Council is Coming to Town.”
“Mele Kalikimaka” was sung as a unique choral presentation by Kaua‘i fire fighters, who earned the Leo Nahenahe, or Best Choral and Singing Ability, Award for the Kaua‘i Fire Department, who was also the recipient of the Ku‘una, or Traditional Wreath, Award.
“Mary, Did you Know” earned the Finance Department the Jammin’ the Sounds, or Best Use of Instruments, Award.
“Silent Night” by the Office of Economic Development, winner of the Honorable Mention award in the wreath contest, was joined by “The 12 Days of Christmas — Nana’s Way” by the Public Works Department, led by its Custodial Services who was able to find a good rooster to top its list.
The Public Works-Solid Waste Division earned the Maluhia Award for its Natural Wreath comprised of different colored ti leaf.
Carvalho joined his staff in “Reason for the Season” and “Uncle Justin and the Prosecuties (War is Over)” was offered by the Office of the Prosecuting Attorneys.
“A Classy Posh Christmas Quintet, aka Agenda Item 2012-14” by the County Attorneys rounded out the day.
•Dennis Fujimoto, photographer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
