Christine Hitt
During the months of November and December, Hawaii is as festive as anywhere else when it comes to celebrating the holiday season. The cities and towns are decked out with decorations and lights, and the hotels create a program of activities and a menu of seasonal treats for visitors. It's just a matter of choosing where to go. Here are my suggestions to get clients in the spirit of the season:
Thanksgiving Feast, Nov. 28
On Kauai, the Koloa Landing Resort has all the holiday food favorites at its Thanksgiving Day feast buffet from 3 to 7 p.m. in the main ballroom. Turkey, prime rib and stuffing are all on the menu as well as locally inspired creations, such as lemongrass crusted mahi mahi, poke bowl and brown sugar and pineapple glazed ham. There's also a keiki menu with chicken tenders and hand-cut fries for the kids. Prices are $95 for adults, $45 for children ages 5 to 12.
Turkey Trot, Nov. 28
Burn some calories before sitting down for Thanksgiving dinner by running (or strolling) with the family on the Hokuala golf course grounds in this 5K turkey trot on Kauai. Check-in is at 6 a.m., and the event starts at 7 a.m. for runners, 7:03 a.m. for trotters and 7:05 a.m. for walkers. Hokuala will also be hosting a nine-hole, par-3 Turkey shoot, which gives 40 players a chance to play the challenging course in a fundraiser. Registration is required for both.
Holidays at the Westin Maui, Nov. 28 to Dec. 31
There's a long lineup of holiday events happening at the Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Kaanapali. It begins with a Thanksgiving meal on Thursday, Nov. 28 at 5 p.m. and continues into December with a festive pop-up bar at The Valley Alley from Dec. 1 to 25, photos with Santa on Dec. 24, breakfast with Santa on Dec. 24 and 25, Taiko drumming on Dec. 28, a fire knife dance performance on Dec. 31 and a New Year's Eve party on Dec. 31.
12 days of Christmas, Dec. 13 to 24
The Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort is celebrating the season with an assortment of holiday activities. Guests can look out for the Elf on the Shelf in the lobby, participate in Christmas card making on Dec. 14 and snowman ornament making on Dec. 16. Then on Christmas Eve, watch Santa Claus as he arrives in an outrigger canoe.
Holiday Village, Dec. 24 and 25
The Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa in Lahaina is hosting its fourth annual Halona Kai Holiday Village on Christmas Eve and Christmas, from 5 to 8 p.m. The family-friendly event includes a holiday buffet, activities, a photo opportunity with Santa Claus and a holiday movie under the stars. Tickets are $125 per adults and $65 per child ages 3 to 12.
Anuhea concert, Dec. 28
One of Hawaii's most popular recording artists, Anuhea, will perform a holiday concert in the Aloha Garden Pavilion at the Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua. Offering a mix of pop, reggae and R&B sounds, Anuhea will perform songs from her new album, "Lotus," as well as other hits, including "Higher Than the Clouds" and "Simple Love Song," as well as holiday favorites. General admission tickets are $45 for a theater style seat; VIP is $100 for premium seating and access to an exclusive meet-and-greet pre-party.