Rick Egged

January 12, 2015 | By Waikiki Magazine Team

President of Waikiki Improvement Association

rickegged

Aloha and welcome to Waikiki.

The New Year in Waikiki starts with a colorful bang! At exactly midnight a barrage of colorful salutes will signal the start of the New Year, accompanied by a jazz version of “Auld Lang Syne.” The Fireworks Show sponsored by the Waikiki Improvement Association is directly off shore, visible from all Waikiki beaches.

In January, Waikiki highlights 144 of the world’s greatest golf professionals as the Sony Open in Hawaii returns to the Waialae Country Club from January 11th to 18th. This event is one of the largest charity events in Hawai‘i and has raised more than $14 million dollars for the local not-for-profits since 1999.

January 17 and 18, 2015 at Kapi‘olani Park behind the Bandstand is the 17th Annual Pacific Islands Arts Festival, featuring the multi-ethnic arts/crafts of our islands, craftmaking demonstrations, Hawaiian music and hula.

January and February have various cultural events celebrating Chinese New Year. Fun and merry making dipped in tradition—that is what best defines the Chinese New Year in Hawai‘i. Deemed to be one of the oldest of the world, the Chinatown of Honolulu is a place shrouded in mystery and exoticness. It is a place where the diverse south Asian cultures blend together to provide an eclectic and colorful place. And there can be no doubt about the fact that the celebrations of this “gateway” will exude uniqueness in addition to tradition and magnificence.

On President’s Day, February 16, is one of the most fun participatory events in Hawai‘i, the 31st annual Great Aloha Run, in which over 20,000 participants run and walk. The 8.15-mile relatively flat course starts at Aloha Tower in downtown Honolulu, winds its way along the historic harbor, down Nimitz Highway, Kamehameha Highway and finishes at the Aloha Stadium.

If you are looking for a touch of Hawaiian culture join us for authentic Hawaiian music and hula shows by Hawai‘i’s finest halau hula (dance troupes) and Hawaiian performers. The Kuhio Beach Hula Show opens with torch lighting and the traditional blowing of conch shell. The shows are held every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, weather permitting from 6-7:30 p.m., free to the public, located at the Kuhio Beach Hula mound on Kalakaua Ave near Uluniu Avenue across from the Hyatt Regency Waikiki.

These events are just part of the excitement that takes place every day in and around Waikiki. The main artery of Waikiki is Kalakaua Avenue where you can find a great range of shopping from Hawaiian crafts and surf shops to the top designer stores in the world. The dining in Waikiki provides delicious food for every taste and budget.

Aloha and mahalo for coming to Waikiki! Together we made 2014 a fantastic year and from all of us, we wish you a healthy and prosperous 2015.