Partner Content. Photo courtesy of OUTRIGGER
Like the other Hawaiian islands, Kaua‘i has developed holiday traditions over the years that reflect its multiethnic culture and vibrant community in distinctive ways, with visitors welcome to join in the festivities. Here are some of my favorite Garden Island Christmas traditions.
Hawaiian Christmas Concerts
While you may not be able to escape Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas” playing at a store or mall on Kaua‘i, you’ll also hear lots of Hawaiian Christmas music, including familiar carols translated from English into Hawaiian, reggae-fied “Jawaiian” interpretations, instrumental versions performed on slack key guitar and ukulele, and holiday tunes written for or about Hawai‘i (e.g. Bing Crosby’s “Mele Kalikimaka,” Makaha Sons’ “Christmas Day in Hawai‘i Nei.”) Even better is hearing these songs performed live, accompanied by hula dancers, as at the third annual “Kalikimaka With Kamaha‘o: A Hawaiian Christmas Celebration,” presented Dec. 20 at OUTRIGGER Kaua‘i Beach Resort & Spa.
The 3-plus-hour concert, which starts at 6 p.m., includes music by 16-year-old prodigy Kamaha‘o Haumea-Thronas, award-winning recording artists the Lim Family and Kainani Kahaunaele (with her up-and-coming daughter Kaniaulono Hapai), the Kalikimaka House Band and others, along with dancers from three Kaua‘i hālau (schools), including Miss Aloha Hula 2023 Jaedyn Pavao, and one Kona hālau. Doors open at 5 p.m., with sales festive food and drinks from the hotel and vendors on hand for last-minute, island-style gift shopping. General admission is $55, while VIP tickets with premium table seating, a gift of Kaua‘i-made chocolate from Lydgate Farms and early access (4:30 p.m.) are $85.
If you’re on Kaua‘i earlier in the month, you can also catch internationally renowned ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro’s annual “Holidays in Hawai‘i” concerts, Dec. 13 at the Porter Pavilion at Anaina Hou Community Park and Dec. 14 at the Performing Arts Center at Kaua‘i Community College. Guest performers include bassist Jackson Waldhoff and singer-songwriter Justin Kawika Young. Tickets are $50–$90.
Want to try to jam like Jake? OUTRIGGER Kaua‘i guests can learn to play their favorite Hawaiian holiday songs with a free hourlong lesson at 10 a.m. Dec. 25 in the resort lobby. Or if you prefer to be serenaded, enjoy free carols by the resort’s housekeeping hosts at 11 a.m. Dec. 20 and 25.
Hawaiian Christmas Trees
On Kaua‘i, the symmetrical branches of Norfolk pines and the indigenous alahe‘e tree provide good ornament-hanging substitutes for the evergreens typically imported for use as Christmas trees, although you’ll spot a lot of palm trees with their trunks wrapped in twinkling lights, too. Both Kukui Grove Center and the Historic County Building in Lihue lean into illuminated palms big time, with the former also offering “Countdown to Christmas” holiday light shows at 7 p.m. Dec. 12-13, Dec. 18-23 and Dec. 27, in front of Jamba Juice and Starbucks.
I also enjoy seeing the ingenious, locally inspired ornaments such as lauhala angels (made from woven pandanus leaf), feather wreaths, shell garlands and surfing Santas, along with more traditional adornments, on trees in hotel and resort lobbies. At OUTRIGGER Kaua‘i Beach Resort & Spa, you can buy a special angel ornament through Dec. 23 to hang on its Maui Strong Giving Tree, with proceeds benefiting Maui wildfire recovery, or vote through Dec. 20 for one of your favorite decorated mini trees. The top three vote-getters will be donated to Wilcox Hospital to brighten its 170-bed skilled-nursing facility.
Hawaiian-Style Gift Shopping
Buying locally made items is a good idea year-round, but the winter holidays bring additional temptations to pursue this sustainable practice. The Waipā Foundation Christmas Craft Fair, held on the foundation’s scenic farm and conservation land a half-mile north of Hanalei, draws many with live Hawaiian music, a variety of island artisans and food vendors, and its own appealing products (lilikoi poi cheesecake, anyone?) This year’s edition takes place noon to 3 p.m. Dec. 20.
Kids in particular may enjoy shopping the Kaua‘i Keiki Holiday Market, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 20 in Kalaheo, featuring art, jewelry, gifts and other wares created by island residents 18 and younger. The cheery designs of Koloa Elementary students adorn special holiday shopping bags found at the Shops at Kukui‘ula through Dec. 24. They’re available at many of the outdoor mall’s local retailers, with all proceeds returned to the school to benefit island youth.
OUTRIGGER Kaua‘i Beach Resort, which hosts the Kaua‘i Made Craft Fair most Fridays in the lobby from 3 to 7 p.m., will also host a special holiday craft fair in its lobby from 4 to 7 p.m. Dec. 20. Find that last-minute stocking stuffer or Hanukkah gift, or just treat yourself to a gift from the Garden Island.
