We often associate Christmas with winter landscapes full of snow, people wearing layers of clothing to brave the cold, and hot drinks ready to enjoy next to the fireplace. But what about Christmas in sunny and hot places like Hawaii? Bing Crosby and The Andrew Sisters have the best way to describe it in “Mele Kalikimaka,” the most popular Hawaiian Christmas song: “From the land where palm trees sway, here we know that Christmas will be green and bright, the sun will shine by day and all the stars at night.”
So, if you’re like us, and you want to travel to this scene, even if it’s just through your speakers, check out these other Hawaiian Christmas songs to add to your holiday playlist.
“Mele Kalikimaka” by Bing Crosby and The Andrew Sisters
Even though this song dates back to 1949, it makes us want to book a flight to the warm and sunny beaches of Hawaii and enjoy its food, while drinking a frozen Margarita. If you were wondering what “Mele Kalikimaka” means, it is a variation of the English expression “merry Christmas” in the Hawaiian language.
“Silver Bells” by The Paradise Islanders
“Numbah One Day of Christmas”
“On the twelve day of Christmas, my true love sent to me twelve television, eleven missionary, ten can of beer, nine pound of poi, eight ukulele, seven shrimp a-swimmin’, six hula lesson, five big fat pigs, four flower leis, tree dry squid, two coconut and one mynah bird in one papaya tree.” Well, now you get what the 12 days of Christmas look like in Hawaii.
“Santa’s Hula” by Hilo Hattie
“White Christmas” by The Surfers
“I’m dreaming of a Hawaii Christmas,” er, I mean, a white Christmas. Another holiday classic, but in a Hawaiian mood. I’ve already pictured myself lying under a palm tree adorned in lights.
“Holiday Hula” by The Maile Serenaders
“My Hawaiian Christmas” by The Honolulu Boy Choir
Imagine this: Santa wearing a lei, eating turkey and rice, while there’s a man made of sand instead of snow. I like that.
“Christmas Chopsticks” by Noelani and the Leo NaheNahe Singers
“Hawaiian Santa” by The Makaha Sons
All Hawaiian Christmas songs are easy to picture in your mind. Here we have Santa dancing the hula around the Christmas tree. Wouldn’t that be nice?
Hamau E Na Kanaka (Hark the Herald Angels Sing) by Amy Hanaiali’i
“Kana Kaloka” by Na Leo Pilimehana
Another classic in a Hawaiian version is this one, which fuses “Here Comes Santa Claus” with a Hawaiian Christmas tune, “Kana Kaloka.”
There you go! Now you’re ready to light up some candles to simulate the Hawaiian sun, wear a colorful shirt or dress, and prepare a few cool frozen drinks. Mele Kalikimaka, everyone!
Here you have the Spotify playlist!
***
Feel the Christmas spirit by reading these:
How A Rich Man And A Nordic God Gave Us Santa Claus
KFC For Dinner And Other Of The Most Unusual Christmas Traditions Around The World
15 Fascinating Facts About Christmas For Your Holiday Trivia Night
