Comments on: Waikiki Christmas

By: sheila

sheila — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 17:28:06 +0000

For 2010 Waikiki Christmas Events — see this list hot off the press: http://www.govisithawaii.com/2010/12/06/waikiki-christmas-2010-holiday-events-where-to-dine/

By: sheila

sheila — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 15:27:06 +0000

Aloha Tom –

I do intend to prepare a round up of great 2010 Christmas events in Waikiki. Most likely I will not have enough details available to publish that list until sometime in December.

One of the biggest challenges in preparing this list is receiving the details from the venues — they usually don’t finalize their plans until early/mid December.

So, to stay up to date, plus to hopefully find some useful information for your Waikiki vacation, consider subscribing to our free daily updates. Here’s information on why and how to quickly sign up: http://www.govisithawaii.com/2008/04/20/are-you-subscribed-to-go-visit-hawaii/

You might also benefit from checking out our free Oahu online vacation guide with unbiased advice: http://www.govisithawaii.com/oahu-vacation-guide/

Hope that helps and stay tuned!

By: Tom Thomas

Tom Thomas — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 04:40:30 +0000

Hi Sheila,
Fantastic list, and given me some good ideas, but I will be in Waikiki this coming December for 8 nights over Christmas ( 2010) Will you be updating your list? I do hope so,
thanks,
Tom

By: marc

marc — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:23:34 +0000

I went Thursday December 17th eve to Kai Market. As proposed, there’s lots of local ingredients. The dining room is beautiful and overlooks the pool and water. Food is very good, and there were some dishes, including a braised beef with hamakua mushrooms, that I just wanted to savor with the delicious gravy over rice. It took me a while to remember that the white rice was back by the salads & chowder. They used much bigger shrimp than the usual buffets, also appreciated. Desserts also very good. The fish was great.
Cons: Service was laid back and friendly (that’s ok), but a tad slow. Also, we were seated near the window adjacent to the Polynesian show. That music was loud enough to hamper our conversation.
One last note: one of our party had forgotten her cane, and had to rest between the valet and the restaurant. The hotel speedily offered wheelchair service, which we used when we went back to our car. That extra touch meant a lot.
With the 25% kamaina (local) discount it was a very good meal. I would happily go back especially to try the “fancier” menus on weekends and holidays.
See also recent reviews at the Star Bulletin’s Weekly Eater, and Honolulu Magazine

By: sheila

sheila — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:35:53 +0000

Lori – here’s what I’ve found out that’s happening on Maui for New Year’s Eve: http://www.govisithawaii.com/2009/12/17/maui-new-years-eve-20092010/

By: sheila

sheila — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:32:41 +0000

More updates:

Added listing for Hau Tree Lanai’s four course dinner for $55 per person. It’s a beautiful setting there. They’re offering the holiday menu on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.Also, for those of you staying through New Year’s Eve, they have a nice NYE menu that you’ll find from the link, too.

Added listing for December 22nd Honolulu Boy Choir concert at the Monarch Room of the Royal Hawaiian. It’s free!

By: sheila

sheila — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:35:38 +0000

Peter – did you see this in the list:
* On December 20th, the Honolulu Boy Choir will perform special holiday concert at the fourth floor Grand Lanai of the Embassy Suites-Waikiki Beach Walk. The concert begins at 4pm. The concert is free and open to the public while seating allows.
I’d love to check that one out myself.

Other than that the only other choral performance that I know of is on Christmas Eve at the Moana Surfrider lobby by the grand staircase from 5:30 – 5:45. It’s a performance by the employees.

By: peter d. reimer

peter d. reimer — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 05:14:33 +0000

Thank you for “Waikiki Christmas 2009″ posted Dec. 10, 2009!

The week before Christmas 2001 I heard beautiful instrumental
and vocal groups in the lobbies of several 4/5 star Waikiki
hotels. Do you have a schedule of their performances for
2009?
Peter
Hayward, CA
peterreimer@sbcglobal.net

By: sheila

sheila — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 20:19:07 +0000

Lori – it’s doubtful that I’ll have the time to write a Maui list this year. Take a look at last year’s post to get an idea of what’s likely to happen again this year: http://www.govisithawaii.com/2008/12/03/maui-christmas-and-new-years-eve-events-2008/

By: Lori

Lori — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 04:57:25 +0000

I love that you did that list. Is there one for Maui as well? My family will be there Dec. 23-Jan.3 and it would be great to know what is going on. We are staying in Kaanapali but can go about anywhere…except on New Years Eve, we’d rather stay in Kaanapali. Thanks for any info you can pass along

By: Mark

Mark — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 02:47:03 +0000

Just got into the Oceanarium for the dinner buffet. Sounded like they only had 1 more opening at 8:30 which was a little late for us. Thanks so much for providing this!

By: sheila

sheila — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 03:02:18 +0000

Most of them are only open until about 9pm. Wolfgang Steakhouse is open until 11:30.

Just heard that Tiki’s Grill is open late night on the 25th with live entertainment. It’s a casual atmosphere there and they’re serving their regular menu of burgers, salads, fish, chicken, etc.

By: rossini

rossini — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 02:55:31 +0000

thank you sheila for that long detailed list, wow makes more excited. we will be arriving there around 9:00 pm on the 25th. how late are the restaurants open?

By: sheila

sheila — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 01:25:03 +0000

Just added 2 restaurant options at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki. Their special holiday menus are available on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

By: sheila

sheila — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 16:30:23 +0000

More additions:

- Starlight Luau at Hilton Hawaiian Village on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

- Wolfgang Steakhouse is open on both Christmas Eve & Christmas day with special holiday menus. (Well priced for a traditional meal @ $35)

- Special dinner buffet and concert at the Monarch Room of the Royal Hawaiian on Christmas Eve

- The Honolulu Boy’s Choir performance at the Waikiki Beach Walk on December 20th.

By: sheila

sheila — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 23:53:07 +0000

Just updated the list to add the options from Top of Waikiki. Very nice well-priced options for both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

By: sheila

sheila — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 23:10:07 +0000

Natalie – as you mentioned, it is very new. I’ve not tried it myself, so I can’t speak from experience. I do like their concept of farm to table — e.g. emphasizing what’s freshly grown and harvest in Hawaii.

I like what they have planned for Christmas, too. “Kai Market’s Executive Chef Darren Demaya has created a Christmas menu reminiscent of his small kid time growing up in Hawaii.” It sounds like you’ll have a chance to sample some authentic Hawaiian cuisine.

Here’s a write up on Kai Market from the Honolulu Advertiser: http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009911200304

After you’ve returned from your trip, I’d be interested in hearing how you liked it.

By: Natalie

Natalie — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 22:31:32 +0000

We went with the Kai Market..Menu looks great. How are the reveiws for the Market since it’s new?

By: sheila

sheila — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 21:57:34 +0000

Natalie – thanks for letting us know that the Oceanarium is already booked. Wow! That was fast.

Did you opt for the Hanohano Room or Kai Market at the Sheraton Waikiki?

By: sheila

sheila — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 21:55:48 +0000

Just wanted to add that Nobu is open on Christmas Day: http://www.waikikiparc.com/dining/nobu/