Aloha Holidays: Celebrate Christmas Hawaiian Style

When we think of Christmas, we often imagine snow-covered streets, twinkling lights, and cozying up by a fire. But what if I told you there’s a place where you can experience the warmth of Christmas both in spirit and temperature? Welcome to Hawaii, where the magic of the season combines with the vibrant culture of the islands, offering a truly unique holiday experience. Celebrating Christmas Hawaiian style is an unforgettable way to merge the beauty of aloha with festive traditions.

In Hawaii, Christmas is embraced with the spirit of aloha, an ancient Hawaiian term representing love, peace, compassion, and connection. This spirit manifests throughout the holiday season in various ways, from "Mele Kalikimaka" (Merry Christmas in Hawaiian) to festive luaus, traditional hula performances, and one-of-a-kind island décor. Let’s dive into the distinctive ways Hawaii celebrates Christmas and how you can enjoy your very own Aloha Holidays!

Mele Kalikimaka: Hawaii's Christmas Greeting

"Mele Kalikimaka" is more than just Hawaii’s way of saying "Merry Christmas." It symbolizes a warm and joyful expression of the Christmas spirit, blended with the essence of aloha. Popularized by Bing Crosby’s famous Christmas song, "Mele Kalikimaka," the phrase has become synonymous with the idea of celebrating the holiday in paradise.

While Christmas carols and classics such as "Silent Night" and "Jingle Bells" are still popular in Hawaii, you’ll also hear local musicians performing Hawaiian-inspired versions of these songs, often accompanied by ukuleles, slack-key guitars, and the distinctive sounds of the islands. Mele Kalikimaka is more than a song or greeting – it's a reminder that Christmas can be celebrated with a unique Hawaiian flair.

Island Style Holiday Traditions

Christmas in Hawaii may not include snowflakes or roaring fireplaces, but it’s brimming with traditions that reflect the islands' tropical and cultural heritage. Locals and visitors alike celebrate the holiday with a mix of Western customs and native Hawaiian traditions, creating an atmosphere of joyous unity.

The Christmas Luau

Forget a traditional Christmas dinner with turkey and mashed potatoes; in Hawaii, Christmas dinner often takes the form of a luau. A Christmas luau is a festive celebration featuring traditional Hawaiian foods such as kalua pig (roasted in an underground oven called an imu), poi (a paste made from taro root), poke (seasoned raw fish), and other island favorites.

Families and communities gather for these luaus, which often include music, hula dancing, and a general sense of togetherness that embodies the aloha spirit. Luaus are a way to celebrate the holidays, not just with food, but with storytelling, dance, and a deep connection to Hawaiian culture.

Festive Hula Performances

While hula is traditionally seen as a storytelling dance deeply rooted in Hawaiian history and spirituality, during the Christmas season, it takes on a festive flair. Across the islands, you'll find special holiday hula performances where dancers dress in Christmas-themed outfits, often combining traditional attire with red and green accents, and perform to Hawaiian carols or classic Christmas songs.

These hula performances showcase the versatility of Hawaiian culture and how it embraces outside influences like Christmas while maintaining its deep-rooted traditions. Tourists and locals alike flock to outdoor stages and community centers to watch these performances, which highlight the blend of ancient and modern Hawaiian holiday celebrations.

Unique Island Décor

Hawaiians have a knack for incorporating the natural beauty of their islands into their holiday decorations. Forget pine trees and holly – in Hawaii, it’s all about tropical flowers, palm trees, and even coconuts!

Palm Trees & Tropical Christmas Trees

While many Hawaiian homes do have traditional Christmas trees (often imported from the mainland), it’s not uncommon to see palm trees decked out in Christmas lights, turning them into festive centerpieces in homes and resorts alike. These lighted palm trees are often the Hawaiian answer to a snowy Christmas tree, creating a tropical holiday wonderland that feels unique to the islands.

For those who want to get creative, there’s also the concept of the "coconut Christmas tree" – a makeshift tree created by stacking coconuts in a pyramid shape, which is then decorated with lights, ornaments, and garlands. Some even decorate their homes with plumeria and hibiscus flowers, adding a fragrant and vibrant splash of color to the holiday décor.

Island-Themed Ornaments & Decorations

Ornaments in Hawaii often reflect the natural beauty and wildlife of the islands. It’s common to find Christmas ornaments shaped like sea turtles, dolphins, pineapples, and even surfboards. Handmade ornaments using seashells, driftwood, and tropical plants can also be seen adorning Christmas trees and holiday displays.

Families may also create their own Hawaiian-themed nativity scenes where the figures wear traditional Hawaiian attire, and the setting might include iconic island features like tiki torches and canoes. This blend of religious tradition with island life exemplifies Hawaii’s ability to integrate outside customs with local culture seamlessly.

Christmas Day at the Beach

One of the most iconic ways to celebrate Christmas in Hawaii is by spending the day at the beach. For many locals, Christmas morning is spent opening gifts, followed by an afternoon of sunshine, surfing, swimming, and picnicking on the beach. There’s something magical about enjoying a tropical paradise during the holiday season.

While mainlanders may bundle up for sleigh rides, Hawaiians often trade sleighs for surfboards. Christmas is a popular time for surfing on the islands, and you’ll often see local surfers catching waves while wearing Santa hats! Even visitors who don’t surf can join in the fun with beachside barbecues, volleyball games, and snorkeling in the crystal-clear waters.

For those looking to add a touch of holiday spirit to their beach day, some beaches host Christmas Day sandcastle competitions. Participants get creative, building sand sculptures of Christmas trees, snowmen (made of sand), and even Santa on his sleigh pulled by dolphins. It’s a playful, tropical twist on winter fun that’s unique to Hawaii.

Santa’s Hawaiian Arrival

One of the highlights of Christmas in Hawaii is seeing how Santa Claus makes his arrival – island style! In most parts of the world, Santa arrives in a sleigh pulled by reindeer, but in Hawaii, he arrives by outrigger canoe. This has become a beloved tradition, especially for children who eagerly await Santa’s appearance on beaches across the islands.

Each year, Santa paddles his way onto the shores, often dressed in a red aloha shirt and board shorts instead of his heavy winter suit. After landing, he greets families, hands out gifts to children, and sometimes joins in on beach games or hula dancing. It’s a playful reminder that Hawaii’s tropical climate and laid-back lifestyle influence every aspect of the holiday season.

In Honolulu, Waikiki Beach is one of the most popular spots for Santa’s arrival by canoe. Thousands of people gather to witness this spectacle, kicking off the holiday celebrations with joy and laughter. For visitors, it’s a must-see event that captures the whimsical and unique way Hawaii blends Christmas with the aloha spirit.

Hawaiian Christmas Parades & Festivals

During the holiday season, the islands come alive with parades, festivals, and events that showcase the beauty and creativity of Hawaiian Christmas traditions. These celebrations often mix the cultural richness of the islands with festive holiday cheer.

Honolulu City Lights

Perhaps the most famous Christmas event in Hawaii is the Honolulu City Lights. This month-long celebration kicks off with the lighting of a towering Christmas tree in front of Honolulu Hale (City Hall), followed by a festive parade through downtown Honolulu. The parade features local marching bands, floats, hula dancers, and even Santa riding on a sleigh decorated with tropical flowers.

Throughout December, the City Lights display is open to the public, with dazzling lights and whimsical displays, including a giant Santa and Mrs. Claus statue dressed in aloha attire. Locals and visitors stroll through the displays, enjoying the festive ambiance while snacking on local treats from food trucks and vendors.

Festival of Lights Boat Parade

Another uniquely Hawaiian Christmas tradition is the Festival of Lights Boat Parade in the town of Kailua-Kona on the Big Island. In this maritime celebration, boats of all sizes are decked out in holiday lights and decorations, cruising through Kailua Bay in a festive display that lights up the night.

Spectators gather along the shoreline to watch the illuminated boats sail by, often enjoying live music and holiday snacks from nearby food stands. The boat parade is a perfect example of how Hawaii incorporates its love for the ocean into its Christmas celebrations. Saturday, December 14, 2024

Hawaiian Christmas Food Traditions

Food plays a central role in any Hawaiian celebration, and Christmas is no different. While mainland traditions might include eggnog and gingerbread, Hawaii adds its own twist to holiday cuisine.

In addition to the Christmas luau, many families gather to enjoy island-style Christmas feasts that include dishes like shoyu chicken, lomi salmon, and haupia (a coconut pudding dessert). Traditional desserts like kulolo, a taro-based pudding, and mochi are also served during the holidays, giving a sweet local twist to Christmas celebrations.

Holiday meals in Hawaii are often a blend of Hawaiian, Asian, and Western dishes, showcasing the state’s rich multicultural heritage. It’s a feast that brings together families and friends in the true spirit of aloha.

Celebrating Christmas Hawaiian style is an enchanting blend of cultural traditions, tropical beauty, and the enduring spirit of aloha. Whether you're enjoying a festive luau, watching Santa arrive on the beach, or simply soaking up the sun on Christmas Day, Hawaii offers a unique and unforgettable way to experience the holiday season. From Mele Kalikimaka to the heartwarming spirit of aloha, Christmas in Hawaii is truly paradise found.