How Hawaii Celebrates New Years

Hawaii is one of the last places to say goodbye to the Old Year and to greet the New Year. You might think the time for fireworks and sparklers is only on the 4^th of July, but in Hawaii, it is even bigger during the New Year’s Celebration. In fact, it can be a very noisy evening on into the wee hours of the morning.

Young and old alike stock up on aerial fireworks which require a permit to use. It can get pretty smoky, almost as bad as when the Kona winds blow the vog (volcanic air pollution) over from the Big Island. Visitors to the islands are mesmerized by the firework displays throughout the islands.

Because of the Chinese influence in Hawaii, there are tons of firecrackers and it is not unusual to see a whole string of firecrackers lit. Usually there are music groups entertaining while the fireworks are being displayed and of course there are plenty of grinds (food). You can even catch the Star of Honolulu (a Cruise ship) where you can cruise, dine, dance and watch the fireworks on the shore.

Right on Waikiki Beach there is one of the biggest fireworks displays on Oahu. Also, the Aloha Tower Marketplace manages to shoot fireworks from platforms docked in Honolulu Harbor. There are also celebrations on Maui, The Big Island and Kauai.

The weather is usually very pleasant during the New Year Celebration. It is winter but that means that it may rain, may get in the 60s but otherwise should be very pleasant. Some families take this last opportunity before work and school begins again to go camping on the many beaches on the islands.

New Years falls during the same time of the year that Hawaiians traditionally honored the earth for giving them plenty to eat. This Makahiki (mah-kah-HEE- kee) traditionally was a period of resting and feasting. No wars or conflicts were allowed during this time and it could last up to four months.

So as we say in Hawaii, Hau'oli Makahiki Hou! (Happy New Year)