STAR-BULLETIN / 2001 You, too, can enjoy a moment with jolly ole St. Nick -- as Keeli Glipa did during a past Breakfast with Santa, a benefit for Prevent Child Abuse Hawaii being held Dec. 11 and 12.

Families can sit down
with Santa

Ho! Ho! Ho! You don't have to wait up for Santa on Christmas Eve, when jolly old St. Nick will be making hundreds of appearances all over town between now and the big day.

No doubt keiki at shopping malls everywhere will be lining up for some face time with the big guy to let him know what they want for being good this year, but why settle for mere minutes with the man in red when you can actually sit down for a meal with him?

The community is invited to enjoy both breakfast and lunch with Santa, who's lending his time to two worthy causes in the spirit of giving:

18th annual Breakfast with Santa: Prevent Child Abuse Hawaii will be hosting this benefit over two days at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i's Manoa Grand Ballroom, at 2454 S. Beretania St.

There will be two seatings, with breakfast from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. and lunch from noon to 2 p.m. Dec. 11 and 12. A donation of $17 per person includes a served meal, photo with Santa, clowns, face-painting, games and crafts, and a Christmas gift. Children under 2 will be admitted free.

Entertainment by magician Mike Wong, Ike Pono, Na Kama, world's fastest juggler Greg Gabaylo, Tradewinds, Halau Hula O Nalei O Kamakani and Island Magic will keep young ones entertained. And Santa won't be the only host, as he'll be joined by costumed characters Winnie-the-Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Elmo, Barley, Dalmation, Taz, Bugs Bunny, Tweety and Sylvester.

For more information on tickets, reservations or sponsorships, call 440-4613. All seats are assigned on tables of 10. Seating is limited and tickets are nonrefundable.

The aim of the event is to raise $40,000 for child-abuse prevention programs. The number of confirmed child-abuse cases in Hawaii has tripled in the last 20 years. As many as 40,000 to 50,000 children are abused or neglected each year in Hawaii, with only 10 percent reported to the state Child Welfare Services. Nationwide, three children die each day as a result of abuse.

Lunch with Santa: For the sixth year in a row, fire magician Carlos da Silva II will entertain families during this event at the Old Spaghetti Factory, sponsored by Victoria Ward Ltd., to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii.

There will be six shows, running noon to 12:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays over three weeks: Dec. 4 and 5, 11 and 12, and 18 and 19.

Children and adults will be treated to da Silva's interpretation of the "magic of the season," featuring his signature trick, producing his rabbit Elvis from a pan of fire.

Admission is $8.50, and tickets must be purchased in person at the Old Spaghetti Factory. Call 591-2513.