Hawaii Things to Do

Hau’oli makahiki hou!

That’s the cry you’ll find echoing off of every street corner during New Year’s Eve on Oahu, a commonly used Hawaiian phrase which translates to “Happy New Year!” The other thing you’re sure to hear during New Year’s Eve on Oahu is fireworks—lots of them—with the sound of explosions coming from every possible direction.

Given the lack of snow in the Hawaiian tropics, Christmas in Hawaii is a warmer affair where local children grow up learning that Santa Claus arrives in the islands by way of an outrigger canoe pulled not by reindeer, but dolphins. Likewise, his traditional red and white coat is replaced by a red and white aloha print shirt with big black sunglasses and a Hawaiian “shaka” hand gesture.

Given that Hawaii is the only U.S. state to commercially grow coffee, it only makes sense there be a day of celebration centered around the aromatic and caffeinated bean. Regarded as Hawaii’s oldest food festival the Kona Coffee and Cultural Festival has championed the cultural import of the flavorful coffee bean since the event’s founding back in 1970.

Hawaii has got plenty going for it. Few other places come to mind when you think of paradise, and there’s a reason Hawaii is always on the top of the list: the beautiful natural weather (Thank you, trade-winds), the rich and abundant ocean, the pristine beaches, the amazing fauna, the hiking, the kayaking, the surfing, well, the list gets quite long. But one of the best ways to pass the time while on Hawaii is to visit a local farmer’s market and see just what those who have decided to make paradise home are cultivating. And no other place better exemplifies the idea of Hawaiian living and Hawaiian eating than Waimea Farmer’s Market.

The year-round sun and iron-rich red soil of the Big Island of Hawaii do more than impress visitors. They also make for rich agricultural crops, should you know what to plant. Luckily, the farmers over on the Kona side of the island decided long ago that their tropical climes were just right for the production of that universally loved little brown bean we call coffee. Now, 100% pure Kona coffee is a rare commodity exclusive to the North and South regions of Kona, and fetches a fair price at the markets. Should you find yourself on the Big Island, consider a tour of one of the local coffee plantations a unique experience for any visitor and an unforgettable one for any coffee lover.

A good way to explore any local culture is to attend events which the locals themselves attend. Hawaii’s ARTafterDARK is one such event. If you find yourself lost and looking for some way of connecting with the people who call Honolulu home, consider this your go-to stop.

A little-known fact about Hawaii: the Hawaiians did not celebrate Christmas until after the arrival of Captain Cook in 1778. Come the Protestant missionaries in the early 1800s, and Christmas finally landed on the 50th US state. Mele Kalikimaka (Merry Christmas) was born!

And while nowadays many of us get together with our families and give thanks over a sumptuous feast and a roasted turkey, Hawaii, with their diverse ethnic backgrounds, have their own unique spin on Thanksgiving.