What does a Hawaiian Christmas look like? Surfing Santa Claus and ships importing Christmas trees

Although you cannot expect a white Christmas in Hawaii, the Christmas holidays in Hawaii have an unmatched charm.

What does the Hawaiian-style Santa Claus look like?

What is an imu, and what is it used for?

What is the most popular Christmas carol in Hawaii?

Join us to discover how Hawaiians celebrate Christmas.

When is Christmas in Hawaii?

The history of Hawaiian Christmas dates back to 1819, when Protestant missionaries arrived on the island.

Even before that, Hawaiians had a holiday similar to Christmas called Makahiki.

This holiday lasted four months and was dedicated to rest and food to celebrate Lon, the god of fertility and agriculture.

During the Makahiki period, wars were forbidden, and people exchanged small gifts. In 1856, King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma officially celebrated Christmas and made it a public holiday.

Today, most Hawaiians celebrate a combination of both Makahiki and Christmas. Hawaiians greet each other during the holiday season with the words “Mele Kalikimaka.”

Do you know Hawaiian Christmas traditions?

Christmas in the Hawaiian Islands has an exceptional tropical atmosphere. The roots of Hawaiian culture are Polynesian traditions and customs, as the islands are geographically part of Polynesia, similar to New Zealand. The indigenous culture is supplemented not only by American influences but also by Korean, Japanese, or Filipino influences.

Christmas carols take a slightly different form in Hawaii. Hawaiians play the ukulele, sing in Hawaiian, and often dance the traditional hula dance to them. The most popular Hawaiian carol is Mele Kalikimaka, originally sung by Bing Crosby. The Hawaiian-style Christmas carol Twelve Days of Christmas is also popular.

Bing Crosby - Mele Kalikimaka (Hawaiian Christmas Song)

A popular community-wide tradition at Christmas in Hawaii is parades. Honolulu hosts a boat parade that features a line of decorated ships that fill the harbors with lights. Waikiki Holiday Parade Pays Tribute to Pearl Harbor Survivors

What are Hawaiian Christmas symbols?

The tropical paradise that Hawaii undoubtedly is is ideal for palm trees, not conifers. However, some locals still want to have a Christmas tree to decorate. That is why ships with live Christmas trees arrive on the islands every year.

But you can find Christmas lights in cities, mainly on palm trees. Honolulu and several other large cities also organize festive lighting of Christmas trees in the squares.

Locals in Hawaii also celebrate the holidays by decorating their cars and trucks with lights for an impromptu holiday parade and driving through the streets.

One of the flowers we associate with Christmas is the poinsettia. In Hawaii, they usually grow to the height of bushes or trees. Many families take to the beach to surf or build “sandmen,” the island’s version of snowmen.

Who brings the children’s presents?

Santa Claus takes a slightly different form in Hawaii, commonly called Shaka Santa. This refers to the “hang loose” sign waved by the Santa statue in Honolulu. Santa also does not arrive in his traditional sleigh but in a canoe pulled by dolphins. You can meet him in his classic red unbuttoned suit, shorts, flip-flops, and an unbuttoned shirt.

Another famous attraction is the surfing Santa Claus. Mrs. Claus is called Tutu Mele. “Tutu” is a common term in Hawaii for grandmothers, and “mele” generally refers to singing a Hawaiian song. She wears a Hawaiian muumuu and has a hibiscus flower in her hair. Gifts will be unwrapped in Hawaii on the morning of December 25th.

What does Hawaii eat at Christmas?

Of course, even a Hawaiian Christmas still involves eating together. What is served for Christmas Eve dinner? Families and entire communities gather in the garden or on the beach to host a Christmas feast or luau.

The roast pig called kalua pork is eaten instead of turkey or ham. It is a popular main dish for various events and celebrations. It is traditionally prepared in an underground oven called an imu, surrounded by hot stones and banana leaves. How is kalua pork usually prepared? Some people also make the dish in their oven or in a slow cooker.

It is complemented by several other Hawaiian Christmas foods, such as poke, lomi lomi salmon, and a dish called poi, made by mashing taro roots and fermenting them. Usually, a large portion of steamed white rice is also served.

What places to visit in Hawaii at Christmas?

Hawaii can be an unconventional Christmas vacation destination for anyone looking for a tropical paradise. Christmas in Hawaii has many specifics that you won’t see anywhere else.

• Honolulu – One of Hawaii’s most fun Christmas events is the Honolulu City Lights on the island of Oahu. Here, you will see, for example, a giant Christmas tree, which is beautifully decorated in Hawaiian style.

• Pearl Harbor – The bombing of Pearl Harbor was one of the most significant battles of World War II. Every year on December 7th, a parade is held in Waikiki to honor those who served at Pearl Harbor. A memorial parade is also held in memory of the victims and those who survived the attack.