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New Year Hawaii holidays
Hau'oli makahiki hou! It's getting close to New Year's Eve, which means it's time to party in Hawaii, an island as calm and laid-back as ours, and celebrate the New Year with a bang! There are countless events for tourists and locals alike, from one end of the island to the other. Celebrate New Year's Eve Hawaiian style by setting off firecrackers to ward off any evil energy and enjoy a night out with family and friends, whether it's watching fireworks on Waikiki beach or pounding a traditional Japanese rice cake.
New Year holidays to Hawaii
New Year traditions in Hawaii
Like many of us, we like to reflect on our year, and Hawaiians are no different! Various events and social groups take place all over the island. Hawaiians love fireworks so much that Waikiki Beach hosts phenomenal fireworks displays every year, attracting up to 100,000 visitors! Spectators are awed by the aerial patterns of palm trees, brightly coloured strobes and sparkling fan formations that accompany them as the New Year dawns.
Mochi is a Japanese-style rice cake made by pounding it several times. Mochi rice is pounded the old-fashioned way, using a large wooden hammer called a "usu". Once it has been thoroughly pounded, it is shaped by hand into square cakes, symbols of good luck for the New Year.
Another Japanese tradition that has found its way into Hawaiian culture is the practice of eating sashimi for good luck. Sashimi is a Japanese term meaning 'sliced raw fish' and, to be honest, it couldn't be simpler. Most often made with tuna or ahi, sashimi is undoubtedly the most popular 'good luck' food, and a must for locals to celebrate the New Year.
Best hotels to celebrate New Year in Hawaii
The Royal Hawaiian on Oahu is the place to be for a lively nightlife. The Royal Hawaiian hosts an annual Pink Party, with live DJs and food stations offering caviar mounts, succulent ribs or rack of lamb. Visitors can sit indoors, outdoors or in VIP cabanas with exclusive access to the sparkling sea. Fireworks light up the skies over Waikiki Beach.
Turtle Bay is another party place. This North Shore oasis transforms its ballroom into a glittering ball with exquisite food stations, sparkling champagne and live music hosted by Hawaii's Sunway. As midnight approaches, visitors watch the New Year's Eve ball drop on a large screen, and digital fireworks complete the scene.