Hawaiian Christmas Top 10
It's almost Christmas in Hawaii, so here's Coconut Roads' top 10 list of things to do in Hawaii at Christmas, including some tips for those who can't make it to the islands in December.
Remember, Hawaii airfares are higher Christmas week, but you can find really low rates for flying to the islands just about any other time in December. And as you'll see from this "Top 10" list, Hawaii's Christmas festivities last all through the month.
1. Wear shorts and sandals to a nighttime Christmas parade, and then afterwards go for a midnight swim.
2. Build a snowman out of sand on the beach.
4. Snowboard Mauna Kea's snowy slopes, and then drive down the mountain to Hapuna Beach, grab some lunch from the concession stand, wiggle your toes in the warm sands, and boogie board in the nice, warm waters.
5. It's time for the 23nd Honolulu City Lights on Oahu! The 63-foot Norfolk Island pine will be decked out and lit in front of Honolulu Hale (City Hall), and inside beautiful Hawaiian Christmas trees and wreath exhibits are on display. The spectacular Light Parade is held early in December, but there is lots to see all through the month. The city of Honolulu, including Waikiki goes all out for Christmas, so enjoy the lights, the decorations, and the warmth of aloha and of the tropical climes. Enjoy on foot, or take the Aloha Tower Marketplace Holiday Lights Trolley.
6. Hawaii's resorts will be all decked out for the holidays. When living on Hilo side of the Big Island, we make the hour drive over to the Waikoloa Hilton, which has an awesome train display and Christmas decorations (along with the lagoon, waterfalls, and boats that take you around the resort). Visiting the resorts is one of the many free, fun and often culturally enriching things you can for the holidays in Hawaii.
7. Shop at the islands' craft fairs (listed in the island newspapers) for those cute coconut frond woven ornaments, kukui nut angels and Santa's in red canoes crafted from monkey tree pods. Also, check the papers for Hawaiian Christmas wreath workshops.
8. Take the keiki (children) to greet a Hawaiian Santa when he magically arrives in his bright red canoe at Waikiki and other beaches. Then after a day of ocean play, read to the little ones the local style
To see how you can Christmas in Hawaii for less than half the usual cost, surf over to the latest edition of my downloadable book:
