KANEOHE, Hawaii -- The city of Honolulu turned on the Christmas lights on Sunday, and with it, the Christmas spirit in Kaneohe.

Hundreds attended the Windward City Lights event, including government employees who are feeling the brunt of the state's budget woes.

Michele Young got bumped from her state job.

"I'm starting a new job on Tuesday," Young said.

Young said she didn't object to an event like the tree lighting that cost $10,000 to stage.

"Oh, it's good. It's good. It brings us all out. We meet our neighbors and our friends here," she said.

The city said the event would not have been possible without the help of the community.

"The show must go on. For many people, they're going to be struggling this Christmas season. This is the best way for us to help them have a great holiday tradition," Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann said.

The city sets aside $60,000 in taxpayer money for three annual city lights celebrations. Windward's $10,000 event gets $7,500 from the city. Community partnerships and donations cover the rest.

The Kapolei City Lights event costs about $29,000. The city covers $7,500 and the community covers the rest.

And the biggest celebration is the Honolulu City Lights event, which costs the city about $45,000, but the community donates $80,000 to $100,000 in addition to that to make it all possible.

"It's needed for our own morale, too," Young said.

Kaawa resident Julie Kawakami said, "And just kind of not think about what's going on for a while, and just enjoy the season."

Kaneohe resident Sara Alimoot said, "I think something like this is needed, especially with what's going on. It's something that's affordable, that all the families can have fun doing."

Katie Ahern, 9, said, "I like the food and the candy."

And the lights?

"Oh yeah, I like the lights, too," Katie said.