No, it's not Santa's sleigh in the sky; it's you parasailing off the docks in Lihue. Or maybe, that's Santa in the red canoe with a Speedo under his red suit with the pant legs rolled up. He wants to get back in the water as soon as possible. For a Christmas or Thanksgiving holiday that is Hawaiian Don Ho Ho Ho friendly, consider the island of Kauai.
What would Christmas be like without cold snow and roasting chestnuts in the fire? A lot more fun unless you like shoveling snow to shovel, expensive heating bills, and being stuck inside for days without end with relatives who have nothing to do. On the beautiful garden island of Kauai, winter becomes your sunny playground. You won't need mittens and hats, just swimsuits, swim goggles, and sunscreen. The fire you gather around will be the imu roasting the pig for the luau, and the delicious aroma will be equal to (if not better) than the traditional turkey back home. There may be macadamia stuffing and fresh pineapple instead of mashed potatoes and string beans, poi instead of cider, and purple sweet potato cheesecake instead of pumpkin pie. But, one thing that will be the same anywhere you travel in Hawaii is the sense of gratitude and celebration that are hallmarks of Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Even before Europeans brought Christianity to the islands, Hawaiians celebrated Mahahiki, a four month period of peace, feasting, and gratitude to the earth for plentiful harvests. The holiday has been enriched by every culture which has become part of Hawaii. You'll still hear Silent Night, but you'll also hear Mele Kalikimaka and Here Comes Santa in a Red Canoe. Christmas trees will likely be Norfolk Pines and will be decorated with kukui nuts, woven pineapples, and tapa cloth angels.
The annual Festival of Lights Parade takes place December 1st in Lihue and the annual Christmas Parade (complete with fire engines escorting the floats) is held in Waimea on December 23rd. Santa and Mrs. Claus make appearances at both events. If you need to help Santa out with his presents, check out the Waimea Craft Fair at the old Waimea Sugar Mill on Kaumualii Highway, or shop in the many fun stores in the Coconut Plantation near Poipu.
Kauai, like all of Hawaii, is very church oriented. You'll have many choices of religious services to attend and many opportunities to experience old traditions and to learn new ones. The blending of cultures has resulted in holiday celebrations that emphasize the joy of friends and family, the happiness of gift giving, and the honoring of Nature for its beauty.
Whether you're surfing the waves at Hanalei, swimming with turtles in Poipu, or strolling the streets of Lihue, at the end of the day, you'll gather with family and friends to share a delicious, colorful meal (Hawaiian style) and to give thanks. Kauai makes the holidays a real celebration.
This guide to Holiday Kauai was brought to you by Cynthia Wall.