Page 7 - Hawaii Island MIdWeek - Nov 17, 2021

Gangloff Building Bigger, Better Light Show In 2021
FROM PAGE 6
NOVEMBER 17, 2021
HAWAI‘I ISLAND MIDWEEK 7
could be any more negative and that’s understandable with everything going on in the world.
of Christmas trees (40 last year, 120 this year), he says.
An aerial view of last year’s light show at Aloha Stadium, where 45,000 cars came during the event’s six-week run. PHOTO COURTESY MICHAEL GANGLOFF
“To me, the only way we can come back from this and be better and stronger is if we work together and put aside our petty differences.”
Even the food court area has been expanded and will feature well-known vendors such as J. Dolan’s, Dippin’ Dots and Ket- tle Corn Hawai‘i.
When he conceived the idea for last year’s show, Gangloff was unsure how he would turn his vision of a drive-thru spectacle replete with millions of lights into a reality.
And if all goes well, keiki attendees will be able to catch train rides during the show, even though current supply chain blockages are threaten- ing to derail plans of adding two locomotives to the event.
But like a real-life Ray Kinsella, he knew that if he built it, people would come.
“We all know there are shipping delays out there, but if I could somehow get the trains in by Dec. 6, I would be ecstatic because that would give the kids four solid weeks to enjoy the rides,” he says.
And come they did — in droves. Last year, the show drew 45,000 cars during its six-week run. This year, he’s hoping to attract 80,000 vehi- cles to an event that promises to be “twice as big.”
Finally, this year’s festiv- ities will include a random drawing worth $200,000 in prizes. Those who purchase tickets to the light show will be automatically entered in the drawing, with the grand- prize winner walking off with $50,000.
ities, namely Make-A-Wish Hawai‘i, Kūpuna Power and Shriner’s Hospital for Chil- dren. Even his own founda- tion, Show Aloha Challenge, is a beneficiary of the annual light show, and uses funds raised to feed the hungry and create education hubs outfit- ted with computers for Ha- wai‘i’s seniors.
imately 2,900 turkeys — which he purchased for $35 each — to families in Mayor Wright Homes, Kūhiō Park Terrace and several other economically challenged communities. The deliveries will take place on the second day of the show, Nov. 20.
Michael Gangloff and son Xavier find a moment to bask in the lights of the walking tunnel, which will again be a featured attraction at Show Aloha Winter Wonderland, slated for Nov. 19-Jan. 1. PHOTO COURTESY ARYN NAKAOKA
In explaining some of the improvements planned for the upcoming show, he notes that last year’s two 150-foot- long drive-thru tunnels will be twice as long in 2021. Ad- ditionally, the festive show- case will include a Santa’s photo shop for keiki, far more motifs and triple the number
getting one if they got there late,” he says. “The turkey delivery isn’t necessarily a part of the light show, but it’s Na part of the different facets of my Show Aloha Challenge foundation.”
the path of negativity in his youth. Certainly, there were ample reasons for him to have done so.
According to Gangloff, the beauty of his show is that while it certainly lifts people’s spirits with holiday cheer, it also delivers pro- ceeds to several local char-
As another expression of his love for serving others, Gangloff and volunteers are scheduled to deliver approx-
“I didn’t want these fam- ilies to have to wait in some line for hours just to get a $35 turkey, so I thought if I took it to them, we wouldn’t have to worry about people not
o one would ever have blamed Gangl- off if he had chosen
Born in Creve Coeur, Missouri, he and his family moved to the islands when he was 4. His biological father was not a part of his life, so
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For many years, it seemed that Hawaii Veterans’ home loan benefits existed in name only. In fact, the first year I sold real estate, I could find only 1 VA loan on the entire island. I have since been on
a mission to educate both buyers and sellers. At that time loan limits hovered around $230,000. Even then, trying to use VA loan benefits seemed impossible in most of Hawaii. With increased loan limits it’s a great time for my fellow Veterans to consider using their Veteran’s home loan guarantee.
Currently, veterans can begin searching w wi it th h c co on nfi fid de en nc ce e k kn no ow wi in ng g t th he ei ir r l lo oa an ns s
c ca an n b be e g gu ua ar ra an nt te ee ed d o on n p pr ri ic ci in ng g u up p t to o
$822,375 (expected to increase later this year) if the veteran qualifies financially. There are
r re ea as so on ns s t th ha at t u us si in ng g V VA A b be en ne efi fit t s s m ma ak ke e a a
lot of sense. It’s refreshing to see that VA seems willing to bend over backward to assist qualified Veterans and once again, VA interest rates are on par or better than prevailing conventional rates. Veterans enjoy higher allowable debt ratios enabling them to purchase more house with the
same income. While other programs (especially zero down programs) cap the borrower’s debt ratio at 29-33%, including the proposed house payment, VA expands this ratio to 41%. As an example, a dual income family in East Hawaii making $5000 per month could qualify for a VA mortgage of approximately $513,000. Other loan programs would cap this amount at approximately $413,000. VA also offers a jumbo product up to $1.5mil. VA has always been a bit more forgiving about credit “hiccups” than other loan programs. In order to put more Veterans into homes, VA has relaxed many permit ting and new build requirement s. So, while it’s still not possible to build a home using a VA loan, purchasing new construction (and there’s still plenty to purchase) is an appealing possibility. Many National Guard and Reser ve soldier s do not realize that they qualify for VA home loan benefits. Married couples (even same sex couples) may qualify together. Widows of qualified Vets can
use a spouse’s benefits, but children cannot. For this reason, I always encourage Veterans to use their benefit. It’s possible to inherit a home but,
for the most part, VA benefits are extinguished at death. Vets with existing mortgages should consult their lender to determine if refinancing into a VA loan is worthwhile. Remember, other government guaranteed loans (Rural Development/RD) do not set limits on the cost of the home but caps on household income keep loan amounts below the median priced home in most areas. Homes purchased with an
RD loan have location restrictions that don’t always apply with VA loan. Overall, FHA loans, which are low-down government insured loans are more expensive and more restrictive than VA. I ssues with roads, ingress/egress and proper t y condition have made FHA loans less common in our local market. Considering that VA loans offer no down payment, points are negotiable and interest rates are still
ver y low, i t ’s easy to under st and why VA loans are still a popular option in and around our East Hawaii neighborhoods. Embracing VA loans offers a good opportunity for sellers while presenting a great option to use it or lose it for us Vets!
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VA BENEFIT: USE IT OR LOOSE IT!
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