Category Archives: Holidays

Holidays

Lunar New Year Celebrations in Hawaii

Lunar New Year (also called Chinese New Year) celebrations across Hawaii make for good fun and time to relax and enjoy life. People from all cultures and communities enjoy the events. There are parades, candlelight vigils, parties, community gatherings, and most importantly, house cleaning.

2019 Year of the Earth Pig

Lunar New Year in 2019 celebrates the year of the earth pig. This particular animal is very popular as a sign of wealth and abundance. The earth element adds an extra bonus of comfort and prosperity, where literally the pig is in its natural element earth. People ages 84, 72, 60, 48, 36, 24, 12, and new borns are born in years of the pig.

Lunar new year celebration in Lahaina, complete with dragon dance and firecrackers. Courtesy of MauiNow.com

Lunar New Year Traditions

Welcoming the lunar new involves a thorough house cleaning. This means getting rid of all of last year’s trash dirt. People literally make space for fresh energy and ideas. Many people also make their homes more safe during the lunar new year. People put away knives and scissors to avoid accidents–a very bad way to start a new year.

People in Hawaii also celebrate lunar new year by preparing their homes. They use symbols to welcome prosperity, health, and abundance. For example, some of these practices include fluffing pillows, putting out a bowl of fresh oranges, setting out sweets, and arranging fresh flowers. Meanwhile, people celebrate lunar new year up to two weeks after the actual astronomical event of the new moon. Therefore, there is plenty of time to make changes, host friends, and welcome new energy.

As lunar new year celebrations continue, people practice special rituals. These include tasting something sweet first thing in the morning. The belief is this invites the energy of sweetness for the year. In addition, people ring bells or pop firecrackers to clear out bad energy. People also avoid cooking right at the new moon to prevent any cuts or burns.

Culture, hawaii, Holidays, Travel

Independence Day Fireworks in Hawaii

If you’re wondering where to see fireworks in Hawaii on the 4th of July, here is a run down by island.

Fireworks Displays on O’ahu

The 4th of July fireworks show presented by Ala Moana Center is the largest fireworks show in Hawaii. The fireworks are launched from three separate platforms and they can best be viewed on the Makai-Ewa Parking Deck of Ala Moana Center. The center usually features live entertainment beginning about 5:00 p.m. and the fireworks show usually begins about 8:30.

The fireworks display at the Aloha Tower Marketplace usually happens on July 3, the day before Independence Day. The fireworks show typically begins about 8:30 or 9:00 p.m. and it is usually preceded by live music and other festivities beginning about 5:00 p.m. Call the Aloha Tower Marketplace to confirm dates and times.

  • Maunalua Bay 4th of July Celebration

The “Independence Day at Maunalua Bay” 4th of July celebration takes place at Maunalua Bay Beach Park, usually from about 2:00 in the afternoon to 9 p.m. Fireworks are released from a barge shore beginning about 8:00 p.m. The 2009 was the 2nd Annual Independence Day at Maunalua Bay Celebration and that year Maunalua headlined the live entertainment.

The Kailua Chamber of Commerce was not able to fund an aerial fireworks display in 2009 but the local citizens were hoping to raise enough money to keep it going. The Kailua 4th of July parade usually begins at about 10:00 a.m. at the Kainalu Elementary School and it ends at Kailua District Park. If the fireworks show can be resurrected, it will begin about 8:00 p.m.

  • Turtle Bay Fireworks and July 4th Celebration

There are usually fireworks and a 4th of July celebration at the Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore of Oahu. The event usually takes place on a field across from the resort’s stables. Features live entertainment, food booths, arts and crafts, and a sunset fireworks display.

Fireworks Display on Maui

Lahaina Town hosts an old fashioned Independence Day celebration including music, food, kids activities and a grand fireworks show. The fireworks show is set to start at 8pm. This display will be visible from Lahaina’s Front Street waterfront and from waterfront restaurants. Synchronized music can be heard from Hard Rock Cafe Maui at 900 Front Street.

Kahului’s fireworks show is set to start at 10pm.

Fireworks Displays on Kaua’i

There will be local entertainments which performs throughout the day along with contests, Talent Show and more. There will be lots of Ono Food booths and plenty of cold Water and Soda booth. Then to end the day with a Spectacular “OMG” Fireworks Display which will be accompaniment by live music. Fireworks being 1 hour after dark.

Fireworks Displays on Hawai’i Island

Waikoloa Fireworks at Waikoloa Bowl are set to light up the sky at 8pm. This event is free and open to the public. Entrances open at 4:30pm with a performance from Beyond Paradise at 5pm and Johnny Shots at 6:30pm. Guests are welcome to bring beach chairs and blankets. Coolers are not allowed. This event is alcohol-free, drug-free and smoke-free.

  • Kailua-Kona Fireworks, Parade & Events
    Coconut Grove Marketplace is hosting a free July 4th Concert at 4pm. Kailua-Kona’s Independence Day Parade is set to begin at 6pm with this year’s grand marshalls being Korean War Veterans. See this link for the parade route.The Kona fireworks show is set to begin at 8pm. This fireworks display will be visible from along Kailua Bay in Kona.