Santa shows up in Hawai`i in a bright red outrigger canoe, (a magic one of course) which carries him across the wide sea and right up onto the beach. Since Hawai`i only gets snow on top of the highest mountains (which are volcanoes!) on the Big Island and Maui, sleighs aren't much use and the reindeer get to take a little rest while deliveries are being made in the Islands.
The words "Mele Kalikimaka" are a phonetic
translation. When the missionaries and other Westerners first brought the
custom of Christmas to the islands the Hawaiians had difficulty pronouncing
Merry Christmas and turned it into words that rolled more easily off their
tongues. (We're glad they did, because it rolls easily off our tongues
today, too!)
The Hawaiians didn't celebrate Christmas prior
to the arrival of Europeans, but it was during this same time of the year
that they traditionally honored the earth for giving them plenty to eat.
This period of resting and feasting was called Makahiki (mah-kah-HEE- kee).
It lasted for 4 months, and no wars or conflicts were allowed during this
time. Because makahiki also means "year", we say "Happy New Year" as "Hau'oli
Makahiki Hou"(how-OH-lee mah-kah-hee-kee ho). After they embraced Christianity
it was only natural that they adapted some of the traditions of Makahiki
to the celebration of Christmas, and as the years passed many other cultures
arriving in Hawai`i added some of their own twists. So today, along with
the candy and fruitcake, you'll be likely to find treats like:
sushi,
lumpia,
tamales,
manapua (mah-nah-POO-ah),
poke (POH-keh) and
coconut pudding
served alongside the turkey. (Manapua are
sweet, tender steamed rolls usually filled with chicken or pork; poke is
the Hawaiian version of ceviche, bits of very fresh fish or shellfish usually
marinated in soy sauce (shoyu), sesame oil, a little rice vinegar and various
spices.)
Sometimes Christmas dinner consists of a traditional lu'au, complete with a pig roasted in an underground pit, chicken long rice (chicken noodle soup, Hawaiian style), lomilomi salmon, and poi. A less formal get-together is called kanikapila (kah-nee-kah-PEE-lah), which means "to make music". You'd be hard pressed in Hawai`i to find any informal party that didn't include singing, guitars, ukuleles (oo-koo-LEH-leh), and probably some impromptu hula as well! Our Christmas songs include the traditional ones, often sung in the beautiful and melodic Hawaiian language, as well as many that are completely original to Hawai`i-- such as Mele Kalikimaka, of course.
After the meal? Well, if we can still move we'll probably go down to the beach to watch the kids trying out the new surf or boogie boards that Santa brought them for Christmas. Join us, won't you?
YOU KNOW YOU'RE CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS IN HAWAII
WHEN:
-- Author Unknown
The only snow you see is in a cone shaped cup and covered with syrup.
Santa arrives on the beach in a canoe.
Aloha shirts and muumuus are worn to Christmas services.
Winter clothes are a sweatshirt, a jacket and shorts.
Little Jimmy and little Mary are little Kimo and little Malia.
Diamond Head is majestic and green.
"Silent Night" is played on the ukulele.
It's macadamia nut candy instead of fruitcake.
You leave your slippers and sandals at the door, not your snow boots.
Fans wear tank tops to the Aloha Bowl game.
Little boys want a new boogie board instead of a shiny new sled.
"Big girls" wish for a Hawaiian heirloom bracelet.
Sushi and passion orange juice are left out for Santa.
You have to build a fireplace to hang the stockings.
Families enjoy their Christmas meal at the beach.
The little angel in the kindergarten play wears a haku instead of a halo.
"Me ke aloha" (with love) is written on Christmas cards.
Cultures may be diverse and traditions may vary but the wishes of the season are always the same...good health, much happiness and lots of love. Aloha...
The 12 Days of Christmas
(Local Style)
Numbah One day of Christmas, my tutu give to
me
One mynah bird in one papaya tree.
Numbah Two day of Christmas, my tutu give to
me
Two coconut, an' one mynah bird in one papaya
tree.
Numbah Tree day of Christmas, my tutu give
to me
Tree dry squid, two coconut,
An' one mynah bird in one papaya tree.
Numbah Foah day of Christmas, my tutu give
to me
Foah flowah lei, tree dry squid, two coconut,
An' one mynah bird in one papaya tree.
Numbah Five day of Christmas, my tutu give
to me
Five beeg fat peeg... foah flowah lei, tree
dry squid, two coconut,
An' one mynah bird in one papaya tree.
Numbah Seex day of Christmas, my tutu give
to me
Seex hula lesson, five beeg fat peeg (that
make TEN!),
Foah flowah lei, tree dry squid, two coconut,
An' one mynah bird in one papaya tree.
Numbah Seven day of Christmas, my tutu give
to me
Seven shrimp a-swimmin', seex hula lesson,
Five beeg fat peeg, foah flowah lei, tree
dry squid, two coconut,
An' one mynah bird in one papaya tree.
Numbah Eight day of Christmas, my tutu give
to me
Eight ukulele, seven shrimp a-swimmin', seex
hula lesson,
Five beeg fat peeg (that make TWENNY!), foah
flowah lei, tree dry squid, two coconut, An' one mynah bird in one papaya
tree.
Numbah Nine day of Christmas, my tutu give
to me
Nine pound of poi, eight ukulele, seven shrimp
a-swimmin',
Seex hula lesson, five beeg fat peeg, foah
flowah let, tree dry squid, two coconut,
An' one mynah bird in one papaya tree.
Numbah Ten day of Christmas, my tutu give to
me
Ten can of beer, nine pound of poi, eight
ukuklele, seven shrimp a-swimmin'
Seex hula lesson, five beeg fat peeg,
Foah flowah lei, tree dry squid, two coconut,
An' one mynah bird in one papaya tree.
Numbah Eleven day of Christmas, my tutu give
to me
Eleven missionary, ten can of beer, nine pound
of poi,
Eight ukulele, seven shrimp a-swimmin', seex
hula lesson,
Five beeg fat peeg, foah flowah lei, tree
dry squid, two coconut,
An' one mynah bird in one papaya tree.
(Numbah Twelve day of Christmas the bes', and the bes' stuff always come las'...)
Numbah Twelve day of Christmas, my tutu give
to me
Twelve TELEVISION, eleven missionary, ten
can of beer,
Nine pound of poi, eight ukulele, seven shrimp
a-swimmin',
Seex hula lesson, FORTY steenkin' peeg,
Foah flowah lei, tree dry squid, two coconut,
An' one mynah bird in one papaya tree!