The lush landscape of Hawaii is not a winter wonderland.
Hawaiians did not begin celebrating Christmas until Christian missionaries arrived on the islands in 1820. Hawaiians live in a land where most evergreen trees, sleighs, reindeer and glittery snowflakes are completely foreign. Hawaiians happily celebrate a holiday that is closely associated with these things, along with other wintery rites. They celebrate by taking what is available to them and making it special and meaningful. Does this Spark an idea?
Celebrations
A luau, a traditional Hawaiian feast, is usually held at Christmas. Men dress in aloha shirts and women dress in mumus. Flower leis and Santa hats are often worn. Luaus take place at the beach and roasted pig is the main attraction.
Lights and Decorations
Poinsettas are festive plants native to Hawaii.
Instead of the quintessential evergreen tree, covered in lights and decorations, palm trees are decorated with lights outdoors. Poinsettas, a plant long associated with Christmas, is native to Hawaii and blooms in December. Many people have large festive poinsetta bushes in their yards.
Santa Claus
Santa wears an aloha shirt in Hawaii.
Santa performs the same job in Hawaii as he does everywhere else, but he has no reindeer and no sleigh of toys. Instead, Santa shows up in a red canoe pulled by dolphins.
Carols and Music
Many of the traditional music and carols are sung in Hawaii, with some notable exceptions. The 12 Days of Christmas has been re-written in Hawaiian style. Silent Night and Away in A Manger are among songs that have been translated to Hawaiian.
Tags: associated with, native Hawaii