Hundreds of island Christians will head for parks and beaches early tomorrow to observe Easter in a traditional way that is especially popular in Hawaii's mellow climate. Gathering at sunrise relives the Gospel account of the first Easter, when the followers of Jesus went early in the morning to his tomb and found that he had risen.

Community services are planned around the island:

» East Oahu: The 6 a.m. service at “;Baby Makapuu”; beach across from Sea Life Park will feature music and hula as well as a message by the Rev. Bill Young. It is sponsored by First Baptist Church Waimanalo, Hope Chapel Hawaii Kai and Lighthouse Christian Fellowship.

» Kakaako Waterfront Park: International Baptist Church will hold a 7:30 a.m. service at the park pavilion.

» Magic Island: Calvary Chapel of Honolulu will present a 6 a.m. contemporary worship service with a message by the Rev. Bill Stonebraker and hula performances by adults and children. It will be followed by a potluck breakfast and baptisms in the lagoon.

» Punchbowl: The 6:15 a.m. event will be the 108th sunrise observance at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. Gates will open at 4:30 a.m. The Rev. Lane Akiona of St. Augustine Church will speak on “;St. Damien, a model for service in the 21st Century.”; Music will be by the Royal Hawaiian Band and United Methodist Church young adult choir.

» Central Oahu: The public is invited to attend the Army's 6:30 a.m. sunrise service at Schofield Barracks' Stoneman Stadium. Col. Rodney Lindsay, 8th Theater Sustainment Command chaplain, will be the guest speaker. Music will be by the 25th Infantry Division band, Schofield community choir and Wheeler Chapel hand bell choir. Visitors may enter through McNair Gate and follow posted directions. Drivers must show their driver's license, registration, proof of insurance and a valid photo ID for each occupant in the car.

» Waikiki: The beach at Hilton Hawaiian Village will be the scene of a 6:30 a.m. sunrise service and a 10:30 a.m. service sponsored by Waikiki Beach Chaplaincy.

» Waikiki Shell: An 8:30 a.m. service by Unity Church of Hawaii will feature the Rev. Sky St. John and actor Terence Knapp with the theme of “;Easter Aloha: Jesus, St. Damien and You, What One Life Can Do.”;

» Waimea Beach Park: The 6:30 a.m. service will be the 33rd Easter celebration sponsored by the North Shore Christian Fellowship. A continental breakfast will be served. Illusionist Mike Villoria will entertain in a separate children's program. A shuttle will operate to and from free parking at Waimea Valley Park.

» Waialua: Camp Mokuleia will be the scene of a 6:30 a.m. service presented by the Episcopal Ministry on the North Shore.

Other special Easter events:

» Neal Blaisdell Center: New Hope Christian Fellowship will hold services at 8 and 11 a.m. “;New Beginnings”; is the theme of the event, with a message by the Rev. Wayne Cordeiro and music by “;American Idol”; finalist Mandisa. Donations of nonperishable foods to benefit Hawaii Foodbank will be collected near the ticket kiosk. Parking at McKinley High School is free and a shuttle service will be in operation.

» Windward Mall: The “;Easter Hoolaulea”; begins with a 9:30 a.m. service in the parking lot mauka of the mall. Free carnival rides, inflatable castles, a rock-climbing wall and musical entertainment will continue until 2:30 p.m. The event is sponsored by New Hope Windward, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary.

» Moanalua Community Church: Family fun including egg hunts, an egg toss and egg relays will be presented for area residents on the church grounds at 4867 Bougainville Drive near the Moanalua Shopping Center. Carnival games, food booths, bouncy castles and a pie-eating competition will be offered from noon to 3 p.m.

In more traditional observances:

» Hawaii Catholic Bishop Larry Silva will celebrate Easter Mass at 10:30 a.m. at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa, 712 N. School St. All Catholic parishes will hold Easter Masses.

» St. Andrew's Cathedral at Queen Emma Square will hold Easter worship services with Communion at 7 a.m. and Hawaiian worship at 8 a.m. Bishop Robert Fitzpatrick will preside at the 10 a.m. service, which will feature music by the cathedral choir. Episcopal congregations throughout the state will celebrate at their own parishes.

» Central Union Church, 1660 S. Beretania St. Easter celebrations will include a 6 a.m. sunrise service by the youth ministry, 7 a.m. contemplative worship and the 9 a.m. classic worship service preceded by music by the Honolulu Brass. There will also be an 11 a.m. Pohnpeian service at Atherton Chapel and an 11:30 a.m. contemporary service in the parish hall. Other congregations of the United Church of Christ will hold Easter celebrations at their own churches.