Time to celebrate!

Thousands of Christians will arise early tomorrow to celebrate Easter with sunrise services at several locations around the island.

Easter celebrates the foundation of the Christian faith, commemorating Christ's resurrection from the dead.

The custom of sunrise celebration relives the Gospel account of the first Christians who went early to the place where Jesus was buried and found the tomb empty. Hawaii's balmy climate is perfect for the occasion.

Puowaina crater, or Punchbowl, has been the scene of a sunrise service for 107 years. This year's ecumenical Easter observance will begin at 6:15 a.m. at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. Episcopal Bishop Robert Fitzpatrick will deliver the Easter message. Music will be provided by the Royal Hawaiian Band and the Rev. Kekapa Lee. Contributions will support the Waianae Homeless Project of the Hawaii Coalition of Christian Churches.

Parking is available in the cemetery; gates will open at 4:30 a.m. TheBus will run special shuttles departing the Monsarrat Avenue terminus at 5 a.m. and 5:20 a.m. They will make stops on Kuhio Avenue, Kalakaua Avenue and at the Alapai Terminal. Call 384-8701 for information.

SUNRISE SERVICES

East Oahu

A Community Sunrise Service at 6 a.m. at Maunalua Bay Beach Park will involve speakers and music from six Hawaii Kai churches. It is sponsored by Hope Chapel Hawaii Kai, Harbor Church, Hawaii Kai United Church of Christ, Grace Community Church, Hawaii Kai Baptist Church and Hawaii Kai Community Church.

The Blowhole Lookout will be the setting of a 6 a.m. sunrise service to be led by the Nuuanu Congregation Church youth group.

Central Honolulu

Kakaako Waterfront Park will be the setting of a 6:30 a.m. Sunrise Service sponsored by Our Redeemer Lutheran Church.

Magic Island is the scene of the Calvary Chapel Honolulu annual Easter service at 6 a.m. with baptisms to follow the service.

The Salvation Army Kauluwela Corps, 296 Vineyard Blvd., will hold a 6:30 a.m. sunrise service.

A 10:30 a.m. celebration at Waikiki Shell will feature performances by a 35-member choir, an 11-piece orchestra, hula and Hawaiian chanter Kaupena Wong. It is sponsored by Unity Church of Hawaii.

Windward Oahu

The Koolau Golf Course, 45-550 Kionaole Road, is the scene of the First Presbyterian Church of Honolulu Outdoor Easter Service at 6 a.m.

An 8 a.m. sunrise service will be held at the Salvation Army Kaneohe Corps, 45-175 Waikalua Road, Kaneohe.

North Shore

Waimea Bay Beach Park will be the setting of the 6:30 a.m. "Easter Son-Rise" service sponsored by North Shore Christian Fellowship. Genene Ahia of Devotion and Tyler Nakamura of Red Letter Band will provide special music. A free continental breakfast will follow. Free parking at Waimea Falls Park and free shuttle service to the beach.

The Haleiwa-Waialua North Shore Community Service will begin at 6:30 a.m. at Kaiaka Park, across from Waialua Fire Station. Speakers and musicians from six area churches will participate.

WORSHIP SERVICES

Easter worship services will be held at most Christian churches, including the following:

» Calvary Chapel Honolulu, 98-1016 Komo Mai Drive, Aiea. 6 p.m. service features "Odes of Solomon," early Christian hymns set to contemporary music.

» Central Union Church, 1660 S. Beretania St. Easter services include youth-led 6 a.m. service, 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. worship services, 11:30 a.m. contemporary service.

» Church of the Crossroads, 1212 University Ave. The day's festivities include 8 a.m. breakfast, 9:45 a.m. egg hunt, 10:15 gift of music, 11:30 a.m. Easter festival service.

» First Christian Church, 1516 Kewalo St. At 10:45 a.m. combined worship with Hawaii Christian Glory Church Korean congregation. Egg hunt and balloon release will follow.

» First Presbyterian Church of Honolulu, 45-550 Kionaole Road, Kaneohe, 532-1111. The sunrise service will be followed by Easter services at 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.

» First United Methodist Church, 1020 S. Beretania St. The day's events include 8 a.m. "Pancakes and Praise" breakfast, 10 a.m. combined service for English and Tongan congregations, 11:15 a.m. aloha hour and egg hunt, 5 p.m. contemporary service.

» Harris United Methodist Church, 20 S. Vineyard Blvd. A 9 a.m. egg hunt precedes the 9 a.m. Japanese-language service and 10:45 a.m. English worship service with music by brass ensemble, chancel choir, handbell choir and organist.

» Living Word Ministries, 2678 Kilihau St. The 11 a.m. service theme is "Family Reunion."

» New Hope Christian Fellowship will hold Easter services at the Neal Blaisdell Center at 6 p.m. today and 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. tomorrow. Parking is free at the center, the Hawaiian Electric Co. and First Insurance Co. parking lots, with shuttle service from the latter.

» Nuuanu Congregational Church, 2651 Pali Highway. "A Touch of Brass" will present music during the 9 a.m. service.

» Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1404 University Ave., 946-4223. Easter will be observed with a vigil worship service at 7:30 p.m. today, 9 a.m. service of Word and Sacrament, 11 a.m. egg hunt on the lawn.

» St. Andrew's Cathedral, Queen Emma Square, 524-2822. The program today, 7:30 p.m. Great Vigil of Easter and tomorrow, 7 a.m. Holy Eucharist, 8 a.m. Hawaiian-language liturgy, 10 a.m. festive Eucharist service with cathedral choir and brass ensemble. Easter egg hunt on the lawn will be at 11:30 a.m.

» St. John Lutheran Church, 1004 Kailua Road, 261-5787. Easter services at 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

» Salvation Army. Easter services are planned at three locations.

Kauluwela Mission Corps, 296 Vineyard Blvd., 10:45 a.m. Easter celebration.

Kaneohe Corps, 45-175 Waikalua Road, 8 a.m. sunrise service, 11 a.m. Easter worship.

Leeward Corps, 98-612 Moanalua Loop, Aiea. 11 a.m. Sunday service.

» Wahiawa Christian Church, 1710 Royal Palm Drive, 621-5818. An all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast will be served from 7 to 9 a.m. The 10:45 a.m. Easter worship service will be followed by an egg hunt.

» Waikeola Congregational Church, 4705 Kilauea Ave. Easter service at 9 a.m.

» Windward United Church of Christ, 38 Kaneohe Bay Drive. The 9 a.m. Easter worship will feature music by a brass ensemble, the Chancel Singers and Windward Adventist School Handbell Choir. Egg hunt will follow.