How do they Celebrate Christmas in Hawaii?
Okay, stop everything you’re doing and imagine this: Christmas, but not in that Hallmark-movie kind of way. No, no. It’s Christmas in Hawaii. The air smells like saltwater, not pine. Your Christmas tree? Palm fronds, strung with twinkling lights. It’s 80 degrees and the most magical thing on your to-do list isn’t a snowball fight, but a full-on beach party—because, why not? Christmas in Hawaii is the holiday reinvented, and spoiler alert: it’s better.
But wait—does it still feel like Christmas? Is it cozy and sparkly or is it just another day in paradise, with a few wreaths thrown in for good measure? Buckle up, because Christmas in Hawaii is festive, wild, and completely its own vibe. It’s the holiday season with sunshine, good food, and zero stress about snow. Yeah, it’s that good.
A Quick History Lesson: An Intro to Christmas in Hawaii
Before we get into all the palm trees and Shaka Santa business, let’s talk about how Christmas even made its way to Hawaii. Long before anyone thought to bring Christmas to the islands, Hawaii was busy with Makahiki, a four-month festival dedicated to Lono, the Hawaiian god of peace. Four months feasting, resting, and no wars.
Fast forward to 1819, when Protestant missionaries arrived and decided to introduce Christmas. By the 1850s, King Kamehameha IV declared Christmas a state holiday, blending Western traditions with Hawaii’s laid-back spirit. And that’s how Christmas became Hawaiian, where palm trees meet presents, and everyone’s just a little bit more relaxed about the whole thing. That is the energy we need every December, tbh.
Hawaiian Christmas Traditions
Hawaii’s vibrant indigenous culture means that locals celebrate Christmas differently compared to how we know it. So how do they celebrate Christmas in Hawaii?
Christmas Trees in Hawaii? Yeah—They Ship ‘Em
Okay, this is where things get a little more practical. In Hawaii, pine trees just don’t grow. Instead, Christmas trees are shipped in from the mainland, tucked in refrigerated containers like precious cargo. No big deal, right?
But don’t think locals just slap a tree in the corner and call it a day. Oh no, they go full island mode and decorate palm trees instead. Yes, you read that correctly. Palm trees strung with lights like some kind of tropical holiday dream.
Kalua Pig: The Christmas Feast That’ll Ruin All Other Feasts
You thought you knew Christmas food. You thought you were a master of stuffing and cranberry sauce. But then, you step into a Hawaiian Christmas feast, and suddenly all that dry turkey and mashed potatoes seem so last year. Enter: Kalua pig.
Christmas in Hawaii (like most places) is basically just an excuse to eat until you need to be rolled home. But this isn’t your average dry turkey—no. This is slow-cooked Kalua pig. And when I say “slow-cooked,” I mean it’s cooked in the ground—yes, underground, like a magical, earthy gift to your taste buds. They wrap the pig in banana leaves (yes, banana leaves), bury it under hot rocks, and let it cook for hours. The result? A smoky, fall-apart, melt-in-your-mouth masterpiece that you’ll eat until your pants beg for mercy.
And that’s just the main event. To go with it? A generous helping of poi (that’s mashed taro root for the uninitiated), rice, and tropical fruit that’ll make you wonder why you’ve been eating boring old apples and oranges. And the dessert? Let’s just say haupia (coconut pudding) and sweet potato pie will have you questioning every other dessert you’ve ever had in your life. Forget your winter classics. Kalua pig and haupia? That’s your new holiday dream team.
Mele Kalikimaka: Because Regular Christmas Greetings Are Just... Boring
Here’s the thing about Christmas in Hawaii: no one says “Merry Christmas” here, because why would they when they’ve got Mele Kalikimaka? Forget “Happy Holidays.” Mele Kalikimaka is where it’s at.
Oh, and the carols? Please. Imagine ukuleles strumming softly in the background, as people sing Christmas carols in Hawaiian (because of course). Hula dancing? Naturally. It’s a Christmas movie you’ve never seen before, where the snow is replaced with sand, and the Christmas cheer is basically just a combination of warm breezes and better-than-average cocktails.
Christmas Lights: It’s All About The Aesthetic
Now, let’s talk about Christmas lights. You’ve seen them—twinkling on houses, strung over fences, decorating pretty much every inch of suburban life. But here? They go next level. Think palm trees. Covered in lights. Just... palm trees. They glow. They shimmer. And it’s exactly the Instagrammable Christmas moment you didn’t know you needed until you’re standing there, trying to remember how your December ever felt complete without them.
Enjoying Your Hawaiian Christmas with Those You Love Most
So, how does Christmas in Hawaii measure up? It’s warm, it’s relaxed, and it’s undeniably magical. Palm trees twinkling in the night, Kalua pig on your plate, and Shaka Santa (yeah, that’s a thing) arriving in his outrigger canoe. It’s the ultimate holiday experience, wrapped up in a little bit of paradise.
But when it all comes down to it, Christmas in Hawaii is about the same things that Christmas anywhere is about. And that’s spending time with loved ones and enjoying the spirit of the holidays. And if that’s not Aloha, I don’t know what is.
Mele Kalikimaka, friends.
Bonus Christmas Tips: Hawaiian Gifts for Everyone on your List
Do you already know what to give your loved ones this Christmas? Suppose you want to give a gift with a Christmas in Hawaii feel. Why not give an Island Essence gift box? Made from natural ingredients found only in Hawaii, Island Essence botanicals are the perfect Christmas gift for the loved one who loves to take care of their body the natural way.
Or opt for the Chocolate and Kona Coffee Deluxe Gift Basket – a perfect option for the foodie (or coffee lover) in your life. Treat them to a beautiful collection that includes a handcrafted Hawaiian Chocolate Bar with Coffee, a 12oz artisan Kona Coffee Blend, a 5oz Kona Coffee Soap and a Kona Coffee Body Polish -all presented in a bow-tied authentic Hawaiian Lauhala gift basket. What could be more perfect for the Kona Coffee lover in your life? Maybe they’ll even share a bit with you (although we wouldn’t blame them if they wanted it all to themselves).
No matter what you choose, your friends and family will love this gift of Aloha in a box!