by Zeke Morganstern


The same as in so many other parts of the globe, Christmas is a special time in the Hawaiian Islands. Many aspects of Christmas are the exact same, such as family members meeting to spend time with each other and the giving of gifts. But some other elements are different due to Hawaii's diverse mix of ethnicities and warm local climate.

The very first point you will observe is that Hawaii doesn't snow at Christmas time, because the temperature seldom falls under 70 degrees, so Hawaii does not have a "White Christmas." So instead of snowball fights and sledding, families may possibly elect to spend a sunlit Hawaiian Xmas Day at the beach, wearing shorts and bikinis, and santa caps, instead of outdoor jackets.

Christmas trees are usually significantly more pricey here compared to other regions around the globe, because they need to be shipped over a large ocean to arrive here. Quite a few households compensate through raising their very own Christmas trees inside their backyards. And other people swap coconut trees or palm trees for traditional Christmas trees. But in any case they're still emblazoned with shiny ornaments and bright lights.

Usually households will celebrate with a luau along with a roasted pig, as opposed to a Xmas Ham. The luau might be decorated with exotic flowers like heliconias, anthurium flowers and ginger, as opposed to holly and mistletoe. When Santa and the Elves appear they'll normally be wearing aloha shirts and shorts, instead of heavy winter jackets. Traditional and local Christmas carols may be sung, and they'll often be accompanied by an ukulele as opposed to more traditional instruments.

To sum up, Christmas in Hawaii brings together the traditions and foods of Hawaii's many ethnic communities and is molded by Hawaii's special climate. So don't be surprised in case you discover a little amount of everything here. And don't forget to say "Mele Kalikimaka" which is Hawaiian for "Merry Christmas" whenever you are visiting.




About the Author: