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Top
of the Season
Star-Bulletin

What is it about Christmas hats that make people smile?

Maybe it's that they're slightly goofy. Maybe it's because anyone who'll don one is likely to be a good sport, to have the Christmas spirit. Who knows, and, actually, who cares -- it's just plain fun.

We went around town and asked people -- some famous, others not so famous -- to put on one of three holiday hats: a traditional Santa hat with bells, an elf hat with big pointy ears or one with reindeer antlers. Then we asked them to explain their choices. Some were amusing, others revealing. But they were all very merry.

Dean Schutte,
hairdresser, Hair Loft:
"Nii-ii-ce ears!"

Alan Wong,
chef:
"Because that's the one I look least ridiculous in."

Peter Carlisle,
City prosecuting attorney:
"The elf because its the only creature on
Earth with stranger-looking ears than I have
and the bigger ears detract from my large nose."

Keenan Parish,
lead pipe fitter, Board of Water Supply:
"I didn't want to be Santa because there's
already some similarity."

Nora Okja Keller,
writer, with daughter Sunhi:
"I've always had a thing for Rudolph."

Lily Kahumoku,
UH Wahine volleyball team:
"I've believed in Santa Claus all my life and still believe.
My wish all my life was to see Santa on Christmas.
Maybe this year."

Paul Casaquit,
doorman, Royal Hawaiian Hotel:
"I always wanted to be a reindeer!"

Ken Makuakane,
performer, Pandanus Club:
"It's fun and the world is much too serious."

Henry Peters,
former Bishop Estate trustee:
"I think a lot of people will be pleasantly surprised
to see me with reindeer horns instead of the horns
they've see in the past year."

Sgt. Roy Gonsalves,
solo bike detail:
"Because it fits my head."

Cora Yee,
artist:
"Because beasts are cool."

Vicki Holt Takamine,
kumu hula, educator, activist:
"Santa's the big cheese and he does all the giving."

Steve Clendenin,
city lifeguard, Ala Moana Park:
"I thought my boss would love it. Aloha, Ralph (Goto)!

Matt Catingub,
Honolulu Symphony Pops conductor:
"I love animals so I much I had to have that reindeer
hat. Reindeer are furry and cute and they have horns."

Thomas Jackson,
E-4 Specialist (P), U.S. Army:
"I like to be different from everybody else."

Marion Higa
state auditor:
"I like red and I like things simple."

Jim Nabors,
entertainer:
It seemed like it covered more of my
head and I have a giant bald spot.

Esmina Roberts
sales person, ICI Dulux paint store:
"I'm one for color and I'm like an elf.
I'm the biggest helper I know."

Anne Namba,
designer:
"To honor my husband -- his ears."

Hat photos by Craig T. Kojima, Star-Bulletin

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