In the words of one classic Hawaiian holiday song, “Here we know that Christmas will be clean and bright / the sun will shine by day and all the stars by night.” The same goes for other winter holidays in the islands, too. And balmy weather isn’t the only attraction: Lighted parades and illuminated palm trees also give the islands a cheery glow this time of year.
Speaking of lights, don’t forget to close the curtains in lodgings near the ocean at night during this time of year, and switch off any lights on your lanai. That’s because fledgling shearwaters use moonlight to fly out to sea and can easily get disoriented by too many lights by the shore. (If you happen to find a downed bird, check this list to learn where to take it.) Sea turtle hatchlings will also appreciate the darkness.
Santa and snowbirds return to the islands this month, just in time for holiday parades, craft fairs, festive concerts and general good cheer. Here’s what not to miss.
Feature Photo: Courtesy of the Grand Wailea on Facebook
Oahu
December also brings the somber commemoration of the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, with ceremonies at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial on the morning of Dec. 7 and a parade down Kalakaua Avenue starting at Fort DeRussy in Waikiki in the early evening. The latter includes hot rods and classic cars as well as veterans and active-duty military.
Here are highlights of other events around Oahu this month:
December 14
Walk or run at your own pace with some 35,000 participants in the JAL Honolulu Marathon, which has no time limit. The marathon begins at 5 a.m. Dec. 14 in Ala Moana Beach Park with fireworks, heads to Diamond Head and ends at Kapiolani Park in Waikiki. You’ll definitely want to avoid driving anywhere on race day, which includes a 10K option.
December 18
Meet Santa and enjoy a festive evening of holiday music and dance with the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra’s Hapa Holiday Extravaganza at the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall Dec. 18. Celebrated Hawaiian music vocalist Natalie Ai Kamau‘u, Tau Dance Theater and baritone Leon Williams join the symphony, led by conductor Dane Lam, for an evening that includes seasonal favorites and sing-alongs. For something a little more intimate, Antonia Bennett — daughter of legendary Tony Bennett, whose jazz legacy she honors — returns to Halekulani’s Lewers Lounge for two performances nightly Dec. 19 and 20.
December 6
Ko Olina visitors and Leeward Oahu residents have easy access to Kapolei City Lights, a family-friendly holiday event Dec. 6 that starts with a block party at 5 p.m. with live music and more than 70 local vendors, including food trucks. A holiday parade starts at 5:30 p.m., while the mayor lights a towering tree at 6:45 p.m. at Kapolei Hale, where Santa is also perched and ready for photos.
Maui
The Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Kahului brims with popular seasonal performances, including ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro’s “Holidays in Hawaii” Dec. 20, kumu hula and award-winning vocalist Napua Silva’s “Hanau Ke Alii: A King Is Born,” featuring more than 100 dancers Dec. 21, and comedian Bill Maher, returning Dec. 30 for his 11th annual New Year’s show.
Here are highlights of other events around Maui in December:
December 22–24
Santa Claus arrives via a merrily decorated outrigger canoe on Wailea Beach at 9 a.m. Dec. 24. At the Grand Wailea above the beach, the Chapel transforms into Santa’s Candyland, a whimsical pop-up sweets shop with games for children, from 4 to 6 p.m. Dec. 22 through Dec. 24.
December 26–30
Theatre of the Rockies brings Rocky Mountain Experience — John Denver Christmas, starring Rick Schuler, to Hawaii for five shows on Kauai, Oahu, Hawaii Island and Maui Dec. 26–30. The finale fittingly takes place in Makawao — the closest thing to a mountain town on Maui — at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 30 at Seabury Hall’s Creative Arts Center.
December 20
Jolly old St. Nick visits Maui in a variety of ways, including arriving on a catamaran at Kaanapali Beach in front of Whalers Village at 10 a.m. Dec. 20. After he lands, all are welcome to take free photos with him at Hula Grill, which also offers free children’s activities such as cookie decorating, glitter tattoos and hot chocolate.
Hawaii Island
Visitors to the Mauna Lani, an Auberge Resort, can support nearly two dozen nonprofits on Hawaii Island simply by voting for their favorite among the charities’ individually decorated Christmas trees in the lobby. Votes are $1 each, with the top three winners receiving larger prizes and the rest splitting the total raised by voters as of Dec. 29. The resort’s holiday calendar also includes a Menorah Lighting with family games and treats Dec. 18.
Here are highlights of other events around Hawaii Island in December:
December 7
Kailua Pier is the departure point for the 10th annual Lighted Boat Parade, where all kinds of watercraft become floating showcases of holiday lights and costumed characters, starting at 6 p.m. Dec. 7. Come early for the monthly Kokua Kailua stroll and street fair from 1–6 p.m. along Alii Drive in the historic village of Kailua, which includes a free holiday concert by popular recording artist Amy Hanaialii at 4 p.m. at Emma’s Square. Alii Drive also hosts the Kailua Village Christmas Parade with the theme Keiki Kalikimaka (Children’s Christmas) at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 13.
December 6
The 65th Waimea Twilight Christmas Parade officially kicks off at 6 p.m. Dec. 6, but with so many other festivities in town before then, many people make a full day of it. The illuminated parade benefits the weekly Waimea Community Meal at St. James’ Episcopal Church, which also raises proceeds for the Community Meal with its annual Christmas Bazaar from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Three hula halau (schools) then present Calabash Christmas Hula: Where We Live, celebrating Christmas in the islands, at 1 p.m. at Waimea’s Kahilu Theatre.
December 5–7, 12–14, 19–21 and 23
Normally to experience snow on Hawaii Island, you’d have to be near the summit of Mauna Kea or Mauna Loa on a blustery winter day. The Kings Shops at Waikoloa Beach Resort provides a much balmier setting for snowflakes, along with holiday performances and children’s activities, during the Waikoloa Winter Wonderland. Activities start at 5 p.m., with snowfalls at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. that last about seven to 10 minutes.
Kauai
Founded in 1997, Lihue’s Festival of Lights showcases ornaments of innovatively recycled material by late Kauai resident Josie Chansky and new island-themed creations, trees and illuminations by festival founder and artist Elizabeth Freeman. The free festival has moved from its original home inside the historic County Building to Kukui Grove Center, where it is open 5–8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 4–6 p.m. Sundays in December. The huge Lights on Rice Parade, featuring some 60 units with 3,000 performers Dec. 5, will still end at the County Building, where the exterior will be illuminated throughout the month.
Here are highlights of other events around Kauai in December:
December 20
Kauai and Hawaii Island share towns named Waimea, and each has its own lively lighted parade tradition in December. The Garden Island’s version travels down Waimea’s Main Street starting at 6:15 p.m. Dec. 20, ending at Hofgaard Park for a free holiday concert. This year’s theme is Neon ’80s.
December 13
The 11th annual Kilauea Christmas Concert at Kilauea Baseball Park features top Hawaiian music acts such as Makena, Mark Yamanaka, Kupaoa, Hoku Zuttermeister and more, starting at 4 p.m. Dec. 13. Kilauea hula troupe Halau Kamawaelualani will also perform and provide food for sale, along with the Waipa Foundation and Kilauea Noodle Company. The event is free, with patrons encouraged to bring a can of food for the North Shore Food Pantry.
December 4 & 18
The Newell’s shearwater, known as ‘a‘o in Hawaiian, is one of several endangered or threatened species of birds that can get so disoriented by artificial lighting when making its first flight toward the sea that it falls to the ground and gets injured. “Fallout season” for shearwater and petrel fledglings is Sept. 15–Dec. 15, when Save Our Shearwaters typically treats hundreds of rescued birds on Kauai. The nonprofit We Care Kauai will present a free Shearwater Talk Story at Welina Terrace in 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay — which wisely dims its lights in fallout season — at 1 p.m. Dec. 4 and 18.
