The Agusto Family, by Muffy Gushi
Meet the family that brought you the winning entry in the Maui Lani Christmas decorating contest. They are the Wilfredo Agustos, consisting of dad Wilfredo, mom Elorde, and two lovely daughters: twelve year old Kristianne, and thirteen year old Ashley.

A few days before Christmas last year when a group of volunteer judges including Dave & Kathy Wilson, Dave & Janis Welsh, and Scott Oshita arrived at the Agustos, they found them frantically scurrying around their award-winning display. It seems that the irrigation system at the house had gone off and had created a problem with the electrical system that illuminated and connected all the animated characters in the yard. With help from their neighbors the Agustos were able to get everything operating in time to wow the judges.

Mr. Agusto, who works at Makena Golf Course, and whose yard is like an immaculately groomed green, had turned his front lawn into a miniature golf course, and Mr. and Mrs. Claus were playing the links. The moving figures were all constructed by Mr. Agusto as well as the handmade nativity scene placed high up on their second story balcony. Their house in the Greens was ablaze amid a sea of twinkling lights with reindeer on their roof.

The whole effort took about three days to set up and was a bit more elaborate than the usual decorations they had created in the past. Traditionally the Agustos have always decorated their house for the holidays, as one of their daughters was born on Christmas day. Because of the contest, however, they put in an extra effort in December. It paid off, and they won the grand prize, dinner for two at the Hakone Restaurant at the Prince Hotel in Makena.

The Agustos, who have lived in Maui Lani since March, 2000, moved to their new house from Waiehu Heights. Mrs. Agusto, who works at American Savings, is originally from the Philippines. In 1981 she moved to Seattle, where she met her husband. In 1991 the family came to Maui.

The Agustos enjoy their new community because of their friendly neighbors and the peacefulness of the area. From their living room window they can enjoy the beauty of the West Maui Mountains. Their two-story stucco home was constructed by Jovencio Corpuz, although many of their neighbors now live in what were model homes when these lots at the Greens were first offered for sale.

Both Ashley and Kristianne attend Iao School and take time to care for their pet Mushu, a Chihuahua/Terrier five-year-old. Mr. Agusto likes to golf on his days off, and although he works at a resort golf course, does play at the Dunes with his friends. For Mrs. Agusto, a day window shopping is something she truly enjoys.

When asked if they were planning to enter the decorating contest again Mrs. Agusto answered, "Why not—it was fun!" They liked the idea that those who came by to view their entry got to share a little of their holiday spirit.