Big Island

The Joy of Spending Christmas in Hawaii

Have you ever wondered what Christmas is like in Hawaii?

The holidays are slightly different in Hawaii than on the mainland. My first Christmas in Hawaii, and every one of them since, has been my favorite. It beats the snow, black ice, cold weather, and everything that I was used to.

For starters, Merry Christmas is “Mele Kalikimaka” in Hawaiian, and it’s the Hawaiian-themed Christmas song. I can still hear my dad singing me this song when I was a “keiki,” or child. Also, the Christmas parade is in the dark, full of lights, and singing floats all of Hawaiian Christmas melody.

When it snows on the top of Mauna Kea, which is at 14,000 foot elevation, locals drive up the mountain and fill their trucks with snow. Then, they drive back home and make snowmen in their front yards. You can imagine in Hawaii they kind of melt fast, but what a joy to see!

You know those poinsettias you usually buy in the garden department? Well, you can find them growing in most gardens throughout the island. For your Christmas meal you will notice many locals having turkey, ham, and fruitcake, but they also have sushi, poke, or even my favorite “pig.”

Your Christmas tree is shipped in, and you will pay a higher price than what you are used to on the mainland. This is another good reason to decorate your palm tree with lights instead. Oh, and you can spend the day at the beach while all your mainland friends are in the cold. There isn’t another place where I would want to spend my Christmas holidays!

For more information on the holidays in Hawaii, contact me Tara Kelly, RS, for more information at (808) 542-6014. Mele Kalikimaka where ever you are!

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marthatumbleson

December 20, 2010

I couldn’t agree with you more, Tara. I really enjoy decorating our palm tree light in our dining room every year. Saves a tree and it’s a ton of fun. Sure beats shoveling snow – been there, done that!

marthatumbleson

December 20, 2010

I couldn’t agree with you more, Tara. I really enjoy decorating our palm tree light in our dining room every year. Saves a tree and it’s a ton of fun. Sure beats shoveling snow – been there, done that!

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