HONOLULU -- A proposed budget cut would virtually eliminate the Honolulu City Lights holiday display at three locations on Oahu.

The Honolulu City Council is considering cutting $54,000 from the city budget to mount the annual decorations and lights on the grounds of city hall, as well as in Kapolei and on the windward side.

That does not count hundreds of thousands of dollars in storage fees spent to house the display figures in the off-season.

The city's customer services director pleaded with the council Budget Committee not to cut the Honolulu City Lights budget.

"With the cut of $54,000, you will wipe out this wonderful event that we've had for the past 25 years," city Customer Services Director Dana Takahara-Dias said.

Takahara-Dias said private donors help pay for the event, but without city money, the city's tree displays, wreath contest, lights parade and large decorations could not happen, virtually gutting the popular event.