HONOULU -- Tripler Army Medical Center, also known as TAMC, held its 68th annual Keiki Wonderland event and tree lighting ceremony Dec. 2, at the Oceanside entrance of the hospital.
At 4:30 p.m. the entrance to the hospital was transformed into a wonderland area that included free pictures with Santa in the Kyser auditorium, a bounce house, face painting and crafts at the Regimental Park, hot cocoa, snacks and live music provided by Wahiawa school band, Na Kamali'i O 'Iliahi.
Na Kamali'i O 'Iliahi is an after school ukulele program with the Iliahi Elementary School that focuses on perpetuating the Hawaiian and local musical traditions through the playing of the ukulele, singing and hula dancing. It is composed of more than 80, 3rd through 5th grade students and promotes positive self-esteem, as ukulele members practice and perform in front of large audiences throughout the Wahiawa community and the island of O'ahu.
"This is truly a great opportunity for us," said Tom Yamamoto, vice principal and director of the Na Kamali'i O 'Iliahi ukulele group. "We love to get out and share our love for music and to have an opportunity to be a part of this tree lighting ceremony really gets the kids excited and in the holiday spirit."
The group performed two sets of musical selections as well as a hula performance.
"We at Tripler Army Medical Center are honored to have the opportunity to kick off the holiday season with such an incredible event," said TAMC Command Sgt. Major Timothy Sloan. "Our company command teams, nurses and enlisted staff did a wonderful job of coordinating an event that included great food, all sorts of games for the families and an amazing performance from the ukulele and hula group of Iliahi Elementary School. This event is just another example of the tremendous Ohana at Tripler Army Medical Center."
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