About Hawaiian Christmas
A Hawaiian Christmas should be expected to be a little different from a Christmas celebrated in locations where there are cold temperatures, snow, and fireplaces. The Hawaiian Islands bask in temperatures of between 70 to 80 degrees even in wintertime. Snow may be found on the three volcanoes, Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa and Haleakala but nowhere else. Without snow, can Santa Claus come and Christmas be celebrated? The answer is yes. Does this Spark an idea?
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History
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The very first Christmas Day celebrated in Hawaii was in 1786 by the English sea captain John Dixon and his crew aboard the Queen Charlotte. The ship was anchored in Waimea Bay off the island of Kauai. The celebration consisted of a special feast prepared for the crew and captain by the cooks in the galley. In 1819, Christmas trinkets were given to island children by the English sea captain, Nathaniel Portlock, followed by food gifts presented by ambassadors to King Liholiho. Until 1837, Christmas was not celebrated regularly by the residents of the island or the Protestant missionaries from America. This coincided with the slow reversal of the Puritan ban on Christmas celebration activities in New England. In 1856, the ruler of the Hawaiian Islands, King Kamehameha IV, proclaimed December 25 to be the official day of thanksgiving. In 1858, Santa Claus (Kanakaloka) made his first appearance to the Hawaiian Island residents. He delivered presents to youth at Washington Place. In 1862, Christmas Day was officially proclaimed a national holiday by King Kamehameha IV who was mourning the loss of his son, the heir to the throne.
Geography
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While the words Mele Kalikimaka are distinctly Hawaiian some of the decorations and customs are shared by other geographical locations. Santa Claus may arrive in a catamaran or an outrigger on the shores of Hawaii but this tradition is shared by other areas of the world which border on waterways. For instance, Santa arrives in Florida by shrimp boat and in Mystic, Connecticut, by tugboat. In Honolulu, Hawaii, Santa and Mrs. Claus are depicted by figures 21 feet tall, dipping their feet in the City Fountain and giving the shaka sign, a common Hawaiian greeting. This greeting is similar to the intent behind the word "aloha" but has been used in California and other places to mean "hang loose." In Hawaii as well as in other tropical areas, palm trees as well as any other native trees in yards may be decorated with lights.
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Time Frame
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Traditionally, the ancient Hawaiian festival of Makahiki coincided with the European time set apart for Christmas. Makahiki was a four month long time of peace and rest in which the Hawaiian people gave thanks to the earth for keeping them alive with its produce. Today, the Christmas spirit begins to permeate the islands of Hawaii sometime in late October or early November. That is when shipping companies announce the arrival dates of ships hauling refrigerated containers of Christmas trees from the mainland, an event that has happened since the 1960's. The day after Thanksgiving, Hawaiian residents come to the place where the containers are emptied to choose their Christmas trees. In Honolulu, the Christmas season begins on the first Saturday of December and lasts for the month. On that night the city Christmas lights are lit with a parade, holiday displays, and concerts included. Santa Claus arrives on Waikiki Beach on the island of Oahu sometime before this in preparation for the Honolulu lighting festival.
Features
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In Hawaii, the Christmas tree may not be a fir like on the mainland but a potted palm or a Norfolk pine. The garland draping the tree and the wreath at the door might be a lei of flowers and the ornaments could be constructed of shells. The creche or manger scene might be made of coconut shells. Christmas dinner is sometimes a neighborhood luau with seafood or roast pig, coconut pudding, lau lau (Hawaiian tamales), and Macadamia nut candies. Outdoor decorations might include elves (menehune) with Hawaiian shirts and Santa Claus wearing red shorts and a tropical shirt and riding a catamaran pulled by dolphins. Christmas is a cross-cultural celebration here on the Hawaiian Islands as on the mainland. Fireworks, a Chinese offering, are sold in the stores at this time in preparation for the New Year. Gift-giving extends across cultural and religious lines.
Considerations
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Christmas in Hawaii occurs during the rainy season. Besides the weather, travelers will find prices for accommodations and airfare are higher than if they visited sometime from April to October. Despite these considerations, a Christmas vacation in Hawaii may be one of the most memorable experiences of your life.
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