The most important night of the week to Phil Worwa, at least through the rest of the year, is Fridays. That’s when the man known as “Santa in Paradise” will be at Storybook Theater in Hanapepe for “Friday Nights with
The most important night of the week to Phil Worwa, at least through the rest of the year, is Fridays.
That’s when the man known as “Santa in Paradise” will be at Storybook Theater in Hanapepe for “Friday Nights with Santa.” It is an opportunity to sit with keiki and share the spirit of the season, he said.
And it’s free.
“Just have a wonderful Santa experience they will never forget,” he said. “That’s really the goal of Friday Nights with Santa.”
The event will be held tonight, Dec. 12, Dec. 19 and Dec. 26, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Each evening will include a meet and greet with Santa, a reading of a Christmas story, nutritious snacks, trivia about Christmas events and movies, and holiday activities for children. There will not be one on Dec. 5, because Santa will be in the Christmas parade in Lihue, “Lights on Rice,” that night.
The theater will be decorated in colorful Christmas ribbons and bows and even a reindeer sleigh. Worwa said there will be plenty of time for keiki and Santa to be together. Friday Nights with Santa will be part of Art Night in Hanapepe, so there will be a festive atmosphere in and out of Storybook Theater.
“It’s a nice opportunity for the keiki to be with Santa, not in a rushed atmosphere, in a way we can just talk,” he said.
Christmas is not just about getting gifts, Worwa said. Another goal will be to share stories with the keiki about the need to take care of their environment, as Santa wants everyone to look after their community.
“I want to make sure we’re always living by the rules and taking care of our island here,” he said.
Worwa laughed as he explained why there will be nutritious snacks instead of candy and cookies.
“Santa is getting too fat,” he said.
Worwa said in years past, he’s done breakfast with Santa and Christmas programs on the radio featuring holiday trivia and letters to Santa.
“This year, we thought what would be more fun to have Friday Nights with Santa,” he said.
Parents and grandparents are welcome to bring cameras, as there won’t be a photographer on site. “Selfies with Santa” are encouraged, too.
Donations will be accepted.
Santa in Paradise does weddings, vow renewals and visits resorts year-round on Kauai.
“This is where Santa comes on vacation,” he said.
Info: director@storybook.org
