Founded on the islands by Protestant missionaries in the 1820s, Christmas is a big yearly festival in Hawaii. This celebration incorporates Polynesian and Japanese culture as well as the traditional aura of Christmas. Instead of his usual outfit, Santa Claus (Kanakaloka) wears colorful Hawaiian clothes. He forgoes the sleigh in favor of a dolphin-drawn outrigger boat. There are many events held on the islands during Christmas but the ones in the Waikiki neighborhood tend to draw the most crowds. To say “Mele Kalikimaka” is to say “Merry Christmas” in Hawaiian and the islands become a winter wonderland as Hawaiian Christmas trees are placed beneath the starry sky and Christmas lights replace snow.
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Christmas Traditions in Hawaii
Because of its indigenous population, tropical climate, and sandy beaches, Hawaii has developed its distinctive Christmas customs, and among these are:
- Makahiki: The traditional Hawaiian celebration of Makahiki, which takes place four months before Christmas, is about feasting and relaxing in honor of the environment and the native deity Lono.
- Christmas Trees Arrive by Ship: Ships carrying refrigerated containers from colder climes where pine trees are cultivated are brought to tropical islands by cargo ships, where the residents get their Christmas trees. Palms are then decorated with lights by Hawaiians.
- Santa Arrives in an Outrigger Canoe: To go to Hawaii, Santa or Kanakaloka doesn’t use a sleigh but rather an outrigger canoe.
- Christmas Luau: During the Christmas Luau, Hawaiians come together for a traditional luau feast, where they enjoy a Kālua pig cooked in the traditional way using an “Imu” or subterranean oven.
- Carols: Singing Christmas songs in Hawaiian is a popular practice since around 63% of the 1.4 million Hawaiians are Christians.
- Parades: Hawaiians actually like decorating their vehicles with Christmas lights and displaying them in a procession through the streets.
History of Christmas in Hawaii
Protestant missionaries brought Christmas to Hawaii in 1820. During the year 1786, when the Hawaiian island of Kauai was moored, George Dixon, the captain of the commercial ship Queen Charlotte, celebrated the first Christmas in Hawaii. An entire roast pig was part of the elaborate Christmas feast that Dixon and his crew enjoyed that year.
A four-month holiday called Makahiki was observed by the Hawaiians prior to the Christmas that is known today. During this festival, the Hawaiians prohibited all forms of warfare. Another common Christmas theme, “peace and goodwill to all men,” was still present throughout the season. The Hawaiian monarchs, Kamehameha IV and Emma, formally observed Christmas as a Thanksgiving holiday in 1856. Mary Dominis hosted the first Christmas celebration in Hawaii on December 24, 1858, at Washington Place.
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The event included the first-ever appearance of Santa Claus and a Christmas tree. In 1862, it was officially designated a holiday by King Kamehameha IV. Christmas Day in Hawaii is very much the same as it is everywhere else: a big feast followed by water sports (surfing or swimming) at the beach. Many cultures and ethnic groups have made Hawaii their home, and each has its own style of celebrating this holiday.
Traditional Christmas Foods and Drinks in Hawaii
There are contemporary and traditional ingredients in Hawaiian Christmas food and drink and here are a few favorites:
- Poke: Served raw, poke is a salad of fish, onions, sesame seeds, shoyu and sesame oil marinade.
- Pork hash: Grounded pork, onions, and seasonings are the fillings of this deep-fried dumpling.
- Manapua: Steamed buns stuffed with char siu pork, chicken, or veggies—that’s the manapua.
- Smoked Meats: Popular smoked meats include kalua pork, beef, and turkey.
- Kālua Pork: This classic Hawaiian Christmas meal is prepared by braising a whole pig in a special subterranean oven known as an “imu.”
- Lau Lau: This cuisine is prepared by boiling pork, fish, or chicken wrapped in taro leaves.
- Turkey or Ham: A Christmas dinner in Hawaii often consists of turkey or ham.
- Sticky Rice: Hawaii is known for its sticky rice, a favorite side dish.
- Lomi Lomi Salmon: To make Lomi Lomi Salmon, chop some salmon and toss it with tomatoes, onions, and green onions.
- Poi: Poi is a classic Hawaiian meal that uses taro root.
- Candy and fruitcake: Sweets like fruitcake and candy are common Christmas treats in Hawaii.
- Kulolo: It is a sweet dish that combines taro, sugar, and coconut milk.
- Macadamia nut candy: One traditional Hawaiian holiday treat is macadamia nut candy.
- Fresh tropical fruit: One of Hawaii’s most beloved side dishes.
- Hawaiian Christmas cocktails: Mai Tais, Blue Hawaiians, and Pina Coladas are the popular Christmas cocktails in this island state.
Christmas Decorations in Hawaii
Hawaiian holiday decorations showcase the heritage and natural aspects of the islands. It encompasses the use of cultural ornaments (together with the usual Santa Claus and Christmas trees), which contribute to the general tropical ambiance of the day.
Christmas Trees
Many people like decorating their trees with ornaments that have a Hawaiian theme, such as hula dancers, surfboards, tropical fruits, and flowers. A 50-foot Norfolk pine Christmas tree adorned with lights and ornaments is the focal point of the Honolulu City Lights celebration, which is usually held between December 2 and December 29 and takes place every year. Dried branches of coffee plants or aromatic cypress trees are used by certain households, not forgetting the ukulele, the popular Hawaiian musical instrument.
Ocean-Based Themes
Offerings like fruits and small toys are commonplace in nativity scenes, which are called pasitos or doorways, just like in many Christian countries. Some of these scenes have been modified to include aspects of Hawaiian culture, such as ocean-based themes including Hawaiian sea turtles, fish ornaments, and shells. This theme can also be seen in Christmas wreaths. Poinsettias are the traditional greenery used to decorate with red coffee berries.
Banners and Sings
Among the many Hawaiian Christmas decorations available are those depicting Santa Claus surfing, hula dancing, sunbathing, and hanging ten (or hang ten). Decorative banners and signs with tropical motifs and Hawaiian holiday greetings also abound. For a really Hawaiian Christmas, many choose decorations depicting the islands’ famous sunsets.
Inflatable Palms, Sand Sculptures, and Tropical Flowers
Palm trees are common in Hawaii; however, only the Loulu is native, while the others are invasive. Therefore, the use of inflatable palms and other tropical symbols helps set the mood for a tropical feast. Large sand sculptures with a Christmas motif are also on display at the Sheraton Waikiki over the winter holidays every year, just like in other parts of Honolulu and other Hawaiian cities. Tropical flowers are also a common element in Hawaiian holiday décor.
