Hawaii Hotels’ Holiday Happenings

Aerial view of Hawaii Island // Photo by Joe Pike

With the holidays approaching, Travel Agent highlights some of the hottest holidays events and attractions at some of Hawaii‘s trendiest hotels.

Whether you have clients heading to the Aloha State for Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year's Eve, these hotels will keep clients in the holiday spirit.

Hilton Waikoloa Village will host two festive celebrations offering a menu of seasonal fare and live entertainment. Reserve a seat at the resort's Water's Edge Ballroom for Thanksgiving Day dinner, taking place on November 24 from 3 to 7:30 p.m., and Christmas dinner on December 25.

Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows on Hawaii Island will celebrate its 23rd annual Charity Trees at Mauna Lani holiday season display from Dec. 2-28. Guests will find the hotel's lobby filled with trees decorated by local non-profit organizations. A $1 donation allows visitors a single vote for their favorite tree. The hotel will award $3,500 in prizes to the winners, with monies raised from voting donations shared among the remaining organizations. On New Year's Eve, a buffet dinner at the hotel's Canoe House restaurant will be followed by an oceanside party and fireworks at midnight.

The Courtyard King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel will hold a Christmas-themed culinary event on Dec. 3. Guests will gather in the evening at the hotel's luau grounds overlooking Kamakahonu Bay to enjoy dishes by more than 20 Hawaiian chefs, along with live music and a silent auction. Tickets for this annual culinary scholarship benefit are $85 per person if purchased in advance, and $90 per person if purchased at the door. The Courtyard King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel is also offering special room rates for event guests.

Kauai’s Annual Holiday Hula celebration will take place on Dec. 4 from 4-9 p.m. at the Kauai Marriott Resort. Under the direction of Kumu Hula Kapu Kinimaka-Alquiza, the dancers and musicians offer the spirit of the holidays through a variety of dance and musical presentations ranging from kahiko (traditional style) to auana (contemporary styling). There will be a craft fair, bake sale and foods sale starting at 4 p.m., door prizes, and a Christmas ornament contest.

A tree lighting ceremony, Santa arriving on Hawaiian voyaging canoe and a gingerbread village built by na keiki (children) from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Maui are all reasons to celebrate the holidays in Hawaii. The month of December 2016 is themed, “Tis the Season of Aloha,” at Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort on Maui. Grand Wailea always celebrates the holiday season with aloha, as many of the December month-long activities and programs benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of Maui.

Holiday season meets beach season at Montage Kapalua Bay on Maui this winter. Guests may enjoy “Story Time with Mrs. Claus,” “Family Game Night,” “Sunset with Santa,” the “Poolside Magic Show” and culinary treats.

Sheraton Waikiki on Oahu presents the New Year’s Eve celebration, “Interstellar,” on Dec. 31. Four DJs and live entertainment will be featured at three of the hotel venues (RumFire, Helumoa Pool and the Infinity Edge Pool) to provide for the best viewing of the midnight fireworks. The Helumoa Pool will be transformed into the “Champagne Room,” an exclusive area for up to 300 people for $200 per person. Tickets will be available starting Nov. 1. Presale admission tickets costs $85 through Dec. 20, $100 for regular-priced and $50 if purchased after midnight on January 1.