Keiki illuminate resort tree-lighting

Experience the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, Maui's “;Twinkle of Hope”; tree-lighting ceremony from 5:30 p.m. Wednesday to start a monthlong holiday celebration.

The community is welcome to gather for the free event at the Makai Pool Lawn for an evening of live entertainment and family photo opportunities with Santa while watching as 250,000 holiday lights are powered up to illuminate the hotel's courtyard. Guests will enjoy cookies, punch, hot chocolate and other holiday treats.

The event will benefit the children of Ka Hale a ke Ola, Maui's homeless resource center, through the sale of sweet treats, holiday lights, tree ornaments and a silent auction.

The entertainment for the evening will include Ahumanu, the keiki dancers of Halau Hula ka Hale a ke Ola, Henry Kapono and the harmony of Na Leo Lani O Maui community choir. To end the event, children will be selected from Ka Hale a ke Ola to pull the switch and illuminate the courtyard and holiday tree.

Arrive early and bring a beach blanket or a beach chair.

Daily tour visits Obama's haunts

If Barack Obama was elected to be the savior of us all, he might start as the savior of Hawaii tourism.

To play up Hawaii's status as one stop on the presidential world tour, Guides of Oahu—a company that specializes in providing unique experiences for small groups—is offering “;The Obama Tour”; with stops at places where Obama went to school, played basketball, went to the movies, hung out with friends and worked at his first job.

The specialty tour includes stops in Chinatown and a visit to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, where Obama's grandparents are interred.

The tour departs daily at 1 p.m. and returns at 3:30 p.m., with pickups in Waikiki. The cost is $40 for adults and $25 for keiki. Special group charters can be arranged.

Call 944-2758, e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or go to www.obamatourhawaii.com.