Rick Egged
President of Waikiki Improvement Association
Aloha, welcome to Waikiki!
Mele Kalikimaka and Hau’oli Makahiki Hou! For you malihini (newcomers), that’s how we say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in Hawai’i.
There is no better place to spend the holiday months than in beautiful Waikiki. Be sure to tour the hotels and shopping centers to enjoy the elaborate holiday decorations. I particularly love the gingerbread village at the Sheraton Princess Ka’iulani Hotel. The variety of Christmas trees and decorations, both traditional and Hawaiian-style, present abundant photo opportunities.
The shopping and dining possibilities in Waikiki mean you can find a gift for anyone on your Christmas list and enjoy a culinary delight while doing it.
On the Friday after Thanksgiving, November 29, don’t miss the Waikiki Holiday Parade sponsored by Gateway Music Festival & Tours/Superior Bands. The event is expected to have 4,000 marchers, 40 vehicles and 38 bands. It will start at the intersection of Saratoga Road and Kalakaua Avenue, down Kalakaua and will end at Queen Kapi’olani Park. Santa Claus will make a special guest appearance.
Although not in Waikiki, the Mayor’s Annual Tree Lighting ceremony and parade on Saturday December 7 starting from 6:00 p.m. is not-to-be-missed. All the folks from each City Department create their own original designed Christmas displays. A special treat is a presentation of all the winners of the Mayor’s Christmas wreath contest.
Sunday December 8 is the date for the most popular participatory sporting event in Hawai’i, the Honolulu Marathon. The 41st-annual Honolulu Marathon is the third largest in the United States with more than 30,000 runners. Nearly 20,000 will be international travelers. A tasty reward for finishing is delicious hot malasadas waiting at the finish line in Kapi’olani Park.
On New Year’s Eve you can enjoy a fireworks display to welcome in the New Year from Waikiki Beach. Waikiki will be abuzz with celebrations capped by the fireworks show presented by the members of the Waikiki Improvement Association. The show is intensive, and heart-pounding, filling the sky with light and color to welcome in the New Year and say aloha to 2013.
