Christmas in Hawaii: A Different Kind of Holiday Magic
Sunshine and Santa Claus
When you picture Christmas, what comes to mind? Snow-covered landscapes? Roaring fireplaces? Bundling up in scarves and hats? For many people around the world, that’s the classic image. But growing up in Hawaii, Christmas looked—and felt—a little different.
Our holidays were less about white snow and more about white sand. Instead of building snowmen, we might build sandcastles. Santa might arrive not on a sleigh, but maybe in an outrigger canoe. It’s a unique blend of traditional holiday spirit and the unmistakable magic of the islands, and it’s something I cherish.
Island Traditions, Universal Spirit
While the weather is certainly warmer, the heart of a Hawaiian Christmas is the same as anywhere else: it’s about family, community, gratitude, and the spirit of giving. But we definitely add our own local flavor.
The Food: Forget chestnuts roasting on an open fire. Our holiday feasts might feature kalua pig, poi, laulau, and lomi-lomi salmon alongside the turkey.
The Decorations: You'll see plenty of Christmas trees, but you might also see them decorated with tropical flowers or shells. Mele Kalikimaka signs hang alongside wreaths.
The Music: While we love the classic carols, Hawaii has its own rich tradition of holiday music, often featuring slack-key guitar and ukulele, blending festive cheer with island rhythms.
What truly defines a Hawaiian Christmas, though, is the spirit of Aloha. It’s that feeling of warmth, welcome, and treating everyone like family. It’s about sharing what you have and celebrating together. That feeling of unity and compassion feels especially strong during the holidays.
A Hawaiian Holiday Song
It was this spirit of Aloha and togetherness that was on my mind when I recently went into the studio here in Hawaii to record a new Christmas song. Working with my local friends and collaborators, producer Lance Jyo and singer Rachel Gonzales, we wanted to create something that captured that warm, heartfelt feeling.
Our new single, "Christmas In Our Hearts," (available November 4th!) is our contribution to the season—a song about hope, unity, and the simple joy of sharing the holiday spirit. It was recorded right here in Kailua, and I hope it carries a little bit of that island magic with it.
Whether it’s snowing outside or the sun is shining on the beach, the true spirit of Christmas lives in our hearts and in the connections we share.
What's a unique holiday tradition from where you live? I'd love to hear about it in the comments.