| Christmas in Hawaii this year is as festive as ever, | | | | It's fun swapping tropical and white Christmas stories |
| and some very well priced, holiday airfares can be | | | | with locals. For us visitors it's especially fun to write |
| found (at last check as low as $300 from US West | | | | home about how we spent our Christmas day on a |
| Coast). Whether your vacation is budget or | | | | beach! Some newcomers to Hawaii will even bring |
| extravagant, you can create some beautiful holiday | | | | miniature trees down to the beach, although Hawaii |
| memories on Oahu. | | | | has plenty Christmas trees. On Oahu,as on the other |
| Hawaiian Christmas memories are among my favorite | | | | islands, trees from the mainland are sold. And, Hawaii |
| remembrances of living in Hawaii. Listening to the | | | | has its own Christmas tree: the island Norfolk Pine. |
| children belt out their favorites like "Here Comes | | | | The tree doesn't have the spicy pine scent, but its |
| Santa in a Red Canoe," and the Hawaiian version of | | | | largely spaced branches are wonderfully easy to |
| "The 12 Days of Christmas," and hearing "Silent Night" | | | | decorate. |
| sung in English and Hawaiian by an angelic choir on a | | | | Hawaiian Christmas tree decorations are found |
| balmy evening under the stars with palm trees | | | | everywhere. Craft fairs are great for finding local |
| swaying are experiences not to be missed.Just | | | | style ones: coconut frond woven ornaments, kukui |
| walking downtown is a delight during the holidays. | | | | nut and tapa cloth angels, Santas on surfboards in |
| And I'll never forget arriving at the Honolulu Airport | | | | canoes and riding dolphins; along with beautiful |
| for the first time during the holiday season and being | | | | wreaths made of island flowers and greenery. |
| in awe of the towering tree all decked out with | | | | Many of these craft fairs are events in themselves, |
| huge, lauhala woven pineapples and golden lights. | | | | complete with Hawaiian Christmas entertainment and |
| Holidays in Hawaii, especially Christmas are widely | | | | food. You'll find many of these listed along with other |
| celebrated. This is a very churched community,but | | | | holiday Oahu events in newspapers and free |
| even many of the Buddhist families participate in | | | | magazines at the airport. |
| Christmas traditions, especially the | | | | Some of my favorite Oahu events at Christmas are |
| Japanese-Americans who come who have a | | | | the light displays in Honolulu and the music - choirs, |
| reputation for loving to give gifts. | | | | orchestras and local style bands are found |
| If you're visiting the islands for the holidays, you will | | | | everywhere with free concerts at malls and on the |
| find a myriad of Christmas events on Oahu, actually | | | | beach. Adding to the holiday fun, many of Hawaii's |
| on all the islands, but more so on Oahu. | | | | most popular musicians like the Brothers Cazimero |
| In Hawaii, Santa gives his reindeer a Christmas break | | | | and Don Ho perform regularly in Waikiki. |
| and arrives in a canoe, barefoot, tanned and with his | | | | The Honolulu City Lights (the city was given |
| red furry pants rolled up. On Oahu, his first stop is, as | | | | permission by Keola and Kapono Beamer to use the |
| it is for most of Hawaii's visitors, Waikiki Beach in | | | | name of their all time hit song) is a spectacular display |
| Honolulu. Keiki (children) visit their Hawaiian Santa at | | | | throughout Honolulu, including Waikiki, making Oahu a |
| various cities on Oahu throughout the season. | | | | good pick for a Hawaiian holiday vacation. |
| While at Christmas time, many of the islanders enjoy | | | | The month-long, traditional festivities begin with the |
| watching the visitors in awe of this warm, friendly | | | | Kawaiahao Church Service in Honolulu (This was the |
| climate in the dead of winter, they also enjoy | | | | first Christian church built in Hawaii and is |
| imagining what a white Christmas would be like. You'll | | | | extraordinary), the lighting of the City's 63-foot |
| hear many of the traditional mainland songs, like | | | | Norfolk Pine at Honolulu Hale (City Hall) and an electric |
| "Winter Wonderland" and "Jingle Bells." | | | | parade and concert on December 3; however |
| Some Hawaiians though do have a white Christmas, | | | | festivities continue throughout the holiday season. |
| that is if they're on the Big Island (island of Hawaii) | | | | For example, the Honolulu City Lights Trolley Tours |
| and drive up above the tree line to the 10,000 foot | | | | run from December 8 to 30. The $2.50 fare (under |
| high snowcapped peaks of Mauna Kea, transforming | | | | age 4 free) benefits the Hawaii Food bank. For |
| their boogie boards into sleds and building snowmen! | | | | details, visit Honolulu Hale If you go, be sure to check |
| With the current, cheap airfares from between Oahu | | | | out the other Oahu event calendars mentioned |
| and Neighbor Islands,a side trip from Oahu to the Big | | | | above as well as this one's. |
| Island is more affordable than its been in a long time. | | | | |