Happy Holidays!! When driving along the highway in Kailua Kona and South Kona you may be seeing the bright red of blooming poinsettias during the day and in the evening the bright lights that have gone up on the oceanfront businesses in Kailua Village. There is a slight chill in the air in the morning and the sight of Christmas trees on the tops of cars are all part of knowing the holiday season is here in West Hawaii. If you are planning on enjoying some fun things to do in West Hawaii for the 2018 Holiday Season, LUVA Real Estate suggests getting some of these dates on your calendar SOON, as much of the fun happens in the beginning of the December such as the culinary experience of Christmas with the Chefs and the annual Christmas Parade. We wish you all a fantastic holiday season and say “Mele Kalikimaka” to you and yours!
DECEMBER EVENTS
Christmas With the Chefs
WHEN: 5:30-8 pm December 1, 2018
WHERE: Seaside Grounds of Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel
Kick off the holiday season and celebrate the 30th year of the Big Isle’s premier holiday extravaganza at the festive Christmas with the Chefs. Members of the American Culinary Federation (ACF) Kona Kohala Chefs Association will delight attendees with plates of expertly prepared savory cuisine and delectable holiday treats – all accompanied by handcrafted ales, choice wines and 100 percent Kona coffee. The Bill Noble Trio, with Jeannine Guillory-Kane on vocals, jazzes up the evening for dancing under the stars fronting historic Kamakahonu Bay. A silent auction will tempt would-be Santas with an array of holiday gift ideas, while supporting local businesses. Tickets are $90 and sold online at [email protected].
Annual Kailua-Kona Community Christmas Parade
WHEN: 5 pm Saturday December 8, 2018
WHERE: The annual Kailua-Kona Community Christmas Parade will begin at Kekuaokalani Gym next to Kona Aquatic Center, go south on Kuakini, down Palani Rd., and along Ali’i Drive to Walua Road, ending at Royal Kona Resort. The Christmas Parade brings in thousands of residents and guests in downtown and showcases businesses and charity groups in West Hawaii. Santa ends the parade on his musical float.
Holiday Wreath Making Workshop
WHEN: 1:00-4:00 pm Saturday December 15, 2018
WHERE: SKEA – 84-5191 Mamalahoa Hwy, Captain Cook Holiday Wreath making with Lou Winn and Susie Weaver. Tuition is $20 for SKEA (Society for Kona’s Education & Art) members and $25 for non-members. Forms, pins, and a basic amount of plant materials will be provided; please bring clippers and other plant material or embellishments you may wish to use (please do not pick any ‘ohia). For more info or to register, please call (808) 328-9392, email [email protected] or visit www.skea.org. This workshop is sponsored by the County of Hawai’i and the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, through appropriations from the Legislature of the State of Hawai’i, and by the National Endowment for the Arts.
Afternoon at the Palace Concert/Hula, Village Stroll and Free Concert
WHEN: 4-5pm Sunday December 16, 2018
Hawaiian music by Keolanui Serenaders and hula from Kumu Etua Lopes’ halau Hula Na Pua U’i O Hawai’i on the grounds of Hulihe’e Palace on Alii Drive Bring your own beach mat or chair. Before and after the Palace performance, stroll thru historic Kailua Village (the Stroll starts at 1pm & goes till 6pm), enjoy over 100 vendor booths, plus oceanside restaurants, local musicians & artists. The Kailua Business Assn. will present a free holiday concert with ‘ukulele player & falsetto vocalist Mark Yamanaka for the public from 5-6pm in Emma’s Square across from the Palace.
Christmas at Keauhou With Santa
WHEN: 6 – 8pm December 16-December 23
WHERE: Keauhou Shopping Center Take photos with Santa at Santa’s house in the Center Courtyard and enjoy live entertainment for the holidays.
14th Annual Jingle Bell Beach 5k Fun Run/Benefit
WHEN: 7:30-10:30 am December 16th, 2018
WHERE: The event starts and finishes at the Coconut Grove Marketplace. The 14th Annual Jingle Bell Beach Run has grown into the largest 5k run/walk on the Big Island. This fun and festive holiday-themed event encourages participation from all ages and fitness levels, and benefits Kiwanis Club of Kailua-Kona. Cost: $25; keiki free. For more information, call 808-345-6214, email [email protected] or visit www.kona5k.com.
Wailea Village 21st Annual Mochi Pounding
WHEN: 8 am-2 pm December 29, 2018
WHERE: Akiko’s Buddhist B&B, Hakalau A traditional Japanese mochi-pounding event that started with 23 people, mostly neighbors that now welcomes between 600-700 people. Free to the public. Saturday is the Mochi Pounding celebration, making traditional rice cakes the “old-fashioned” way: everyone takes their turn at pounding the glutinous sticky rice for good luck. Fire building starts at 7 a.m. to steam the rice. Hearty local-style lunches will be available for $5. New Year’s crafts, food vendors, Okinawan taiko drumming, Hawaiian entertainment and more. http://www.akikosbnb.com/activities/activities.html#mochi for more information.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
The 2019 annual Waimea Ocean Film Festival (Waimea Film) kicks off the new year January 1-9, in Waimea, as well as The Fairmont Orchid, Hawai‘i, Mauna Kea Resort and Four Seasons Resort Hualalai. Festival passes are available online at www.waimeaoceanfilm.org. The Waimea Ocean Film Festival brings an immersive visual experience to the island each January, offering guests heart-pounding adventure, giant surf, marine life, international expeditions and ocean action, all while garnering greater insight and understanding into the ocean environment and island culture with filmmaker talks and activities. Over 60 films feature ocean experience, ocean environment, island culture, inspiring stories and epic adventure.