Christmas, snow, and a Christmas tree. Those are three things that most people think of when we think of the month of December. At least for those of us who live in Indiana. Now, whether or not we actually get snow at Christmas time, in Indiana, is very debatable, but it is still something that the kids all wish for, with longing thoughts of sledding, skiing, and making snowmen. But in Hawaii, things are much different. They’re out surfing the waves on the days leading up to Christmas. They might be lying on the beach, running through the sand, or simply soaking up the warm weather and sun they’re having right now. It’s perfect weather for T-shirts and shorts in Hawaii. For those of us who have grown up pairing snow and Christmas together, thinking of having a warm sunny Christmas seems odd, to say the least.
So what do Hawaiians do during the weeks leading up to Christmas? If we have a tree, what do they have, if we play in the snow (if it comes), what do they do? Well, I’m glad you asked, let me tell you about Christmas in Hawaii!
#1. Just as we do, Hawaiians also incorporate a “feast” into their Christmas traditions. The most traditional is called a lu’au, and it consists of a roasted kalua pig as the main dish, and could have a type of chicken noodle soup, salmon and poi as side dishes, as well as many other things that have too many vowels to try and write out on here, much less explain the meaning of.
#2. Hawaiians decorate palm trees with lights, and ornaments, as well as dressing up in festive outfits.
#3. For activities and games, the beach is used for surfing and swimming.
#4. Christmas carols are often sung with the accompaniment of a ukulele or guitar, and danced along with.
#5. Now hold onto your hats and grab a chair so you won’t fall over with surprise at what I am going to tell you. The tradition of Santa Claus is that he often comes to shore either on a surfboard or an outrigger canoe that is pulled by dolphins, instead of a sleigh with reindeer. The Hawaiian Santa is also often known to wear a red Hawaiian shirt and swim trunks.
A fun fact is that since most Hawaiian homes don’t have fireplaces, stockings are instead hung throughout the house!
And last but certainly not least, I want to mention that although Hawaiians do certainly have some fun traditions that differ from ours. Those who are Christians and are our brothers and sisters in Christ still celebrate Christmas for what it is. A celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. We celebrate him coming down to earth, taking on the form of man, and living a perfect and sinless life that he might later take upon his shoulders, the sin of man, and make a way for us to come to the Father and have eternal life with him.
Isaiah 9:6-7 says,
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.“
Mele Kalikimaka! (Merry Christmas in Hawaiian!)