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Everybody loves Christmas. Everybody loves Hawaii. It’s only natural that combining the two makes for one super holiday! People from every corner of the world come to Hawaii during the Christmas season to enjoy some of the best of what the islands have to offer.

We’ll let you in on a little secret. While we all know Christmas isn’t a Hawaiian holiday, over the years the holiday has gained a unique island feel. The familiar – Christmas trees, colorful lights and festive holiday parades – blend with Hawaiian cultural traditions to create something special. It’s Christmas in the Spirit of Aloha and it’s something you can experience every year as a Hawaii real estate owner.

To celebrate Christmas in Hawaii this year, we’ve put together a special list of what we consider to be the top 10 best things about spending the holiday in the islands:

1. Hawaiian Christmas Songs. Music is part of the holiday and this is no exception in Hawaii. The Hawaiian language is beautiful and flowing – perfect for festive caroling. Perhaps the most famous is Mele Kalikimaka (made famous by Bing Crosby in the 1950s and, more recently, in the film National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation). There are many others!
2. Santa Arrives… By Canoe? That’s right! Every year in early December, Hawaii celebrates the holiday season as Santa arrives on the shores of Waikiki Beach on his very own outrigger canoe. The event is hosted by the Outrigger Waikiki Hotel and is free to the public. Kids can even get some face time with the jolly old elf upon arrival!
3. Lighted Boat Parades. Two parades typically light up the waters around Oahu each year during the Christmas season. The Honolulu Christmas Boat Parade tours around Honolulu Harbor and can be viewed from the Aloha Tower Marketplace and various other spots on the Honolulu waterfront. The Hawaii Kai Christmas Boat Parade usually attracts thousands who watch as about 40 boats – all litup for Christmas – float lazily through theHawaii Kai waters.
   

   Merry Christmas in Hawaiian! (Photo courtesy of Flickr user "billsoPHOTO")

4. The Nutcracker Ballet. Hawaii enjoys some of the more traditional Christmas celebrations, too. Performances of the famous Nutcracker Ballet happen all over the state during the Christmas season.
5. Lahaina Gets Lit Up. Maui celebrates Christmas by covering the historic Lahaina Banyan Tree in lights each Christmas season. Residents and visitors celebrate the annual tradition with a ceremony featuring Christmas carols, a Hula exhibition and an appearance by St. Nick for the kids!
6. Honolulu is Illuminated. Every year around Christmas time, thousands on Oahu gather outside Honolulu Hale – the name give to the mayor’s office – to watch as the massive 50-plus foot Christmas tree is lit for the first time. The event is called Honolulu City Lights and marks the beginning of a month-long Christmas festival in and around Honolulu Hale. The lighting ceremony is accompanied by the Electric Light Parade.
7. Kauai Blazes Brightly! Residents of the Garden Island celebrate Christmas with their own illuminated celebration. The Kauai Festival of Lights officially marks the arrival of Christmas to the island. The event has its origins more than 50 years ago with “Auntie” Josie Chansky, a local folk artist who opened her home each Christmas to share thousands of the homemade Christmas decorations she had made throughout her life. Her home became knownas The Christmas House among locals. The festival, which began in 1996, carries on the tradition by preserving Chansky’s wonderful collection for all to see.
8. Football. The Sheraton Hawaii Bowl has become a beloved holiday tradition in the islands. The football game takes place every day on Christmas Eve at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu. Besides being a nationally important BCS bowl game, it is a chance for Hawaii residents to support the University of Hawaii in their much anticipated annual contest. This year UH will host the University of Tulsa.
9. Christmas Trees. Having a Christmas tree in your home during the holiday season is a beloved tradition that isn’t missed in Hawaii. Boatloads of the fragrant conifers are shipped to the islands from colder regions of the world so the people of Hawaii can enjoy the comfort and coziness of a Christmas tree in the living room.
10. Christmas on the Beach. Christmas morning in Hawaii starts out much the same as anywhere else in the world. Gifts are opened and brunch is served. That’s when things start to change. Late December in the islands is much the same as mid-July – that is to say, snow and freezing temperatures are not a concern. Many Hawaii residents head down to the beach after gifts have been opened to enjoy Christmas afternoon in the sun, sand and salt water.

Now it’s obvious that Christmas in Hawaii is an experience second-to-none. Moving to Hawaii is the next step to making this wonderful tradition part of your life. Best of Hawaii Real Estate will connect you to the best Hawaii REALTOR who will help make your dreams come true.

Mele Kalikimaka! Christmas season in Hawaii is upon us! The orange and red hues of Thanksgiving are behind us, and the ghouls and goblins of Halloween are but a distant memory. December has started and it’s time to decorate that tree, buy gifts and indulge in a few Yuletide sweets.

This time of year Hawaii residents are gearing up for a very special Christmas celebration. Christmas in Hawaii is very similar to Christmas anywhere else in the world with just a few minor changes. Spending Christmas in the islands takes on a special Hawaiian flair found nowhere else on Earth. At Best of Hawaii Real Estate, we think Hawaii Christmas celebrations are one of the most unique parts of living in Hawaii. That’s why we’re dedicating the next several blog posts to the topic.

There are so many things to love already about the holiday season. Christmas lights, fragrant trees, giving and getting, sweet treats, friends and family always close by and the simple joy of the season. We are always happy to see Christmas come and always sad to see it go.

Hawaii has become a preferred Christmas vacation spot because the Hawaiian Christmas season is extra special. Residents and tourists alike enjoy the holiday with many traditional parades and parties throughout the state. Honolulu Hawaii (letter “H” on our Oahu Virtual Tour) features some of the most festive Christmas celebrations in the state.

Experience the Honolulu City Lights Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Outrigger Hotel. Watch as Santa lands on the beach at Waikiki (letter “W” on our Oahu Virtual Tour) in a Hawaiian outrigger canoe in the best Waikiki holiday ritual. Jolly old Saint Nick is greeted by the Hawaiian gift of hula – the famous traditional dance – and is available for free photo-taking for the kids!

Hawaii Christmas has something to offer to even the most diehard sports fans. The Sheraton Hawaii Bowl takes place on Christmas Eve at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu.

Christmas in Hawaii is part of what makes owning Hawaii real estate special. However tempting, we know how big of a decision buying a Hawaii home can be. Best of Hawaii Real Estate gives you the tools to make the most informed decision. We can connect you to the Hawaii REALTOR who best fits your needs – and best of all, it’s completely free!

Retirement is a time to enjoy the fruits of your labor. You’ve been planning for this moment for decades and the time has finally come; now, there’s one last decision to make. Choosing Hawaii as your retirement destination carries with it a bevy of inherent benefits. Right now, there are hundreds of Hawaii homes and condos for sale. Who knows? One could be the perfect fit!

Life in Hawaii takes on a pleasant and leisurely pace. Just like the rhythm of the gentle ocean waves crashing on shore, the lifestyle in Hawaii is naturally more relaxed. Maybe it’s the tropical year-long summer weather. Perhaps it’s the chirping of the birds in the morning or the bright twinkling stars visible every night. Whatever the reasons, Hawaii’s laid back vibe makes for the ideal retirement lifestyle.

Do you love to golf? Hawaii golf courses are some of the best and widest ranging in the world. If your idea of a relaxing day of retirement includes 18 holes overlooking the Pacific Ocean, you’re going to love retiring in Hawaii. From Kauai and Oahu to Maui and the Big Island, every island has a wide range of golf offerings to suit every taste in the game. Numerous world class Jack Nicklaus courses are intermingled with quality public courses that meet every style and every budget.

It’s no mystery that Hawaii is famous for having perfect weather. Sun and warmth can do amazing things to the body, as many Hawaii retirees can confirm. We all know that aches and pains tend to show their ugly heads when the temperature changes. If you’re tired of that discomfort in the cold of winter, you’ll love Hawaii’s constant year-long warmth.  Ask any Hawaii retiree and they’ll tell you about the incredible restorative effects of the weather in Hawaii.

There are many other great reasons to retire in Hawaii. The Hawaii medical system is excellent and readily available. Hawaii property retains its value well, which means your piece of paradise will be a smart investment for generations. I’m sure you have many questions. That’s why it’s important to secure the services of a certified Hawaii REALTOR. Their expertise and dedication to Hawaii real estate help to make Hawaii is great place to live and one of the best places to retire. At Best of Hawaii Real Estate, we guide you to the best Hawaii REALTOR based on your unique needs.

So you are in the market for Hawaii homes and are looking for a great Hawaii real estate agent. With so much on the line, obviously you want an agent that is successful and trustworthy. Choosing the right Hawaii real estate agent can make or break your dream of living in Hawaii. Picking an agent who is a certified Hawaii REALTOR is the best way to ensure your future is in good hands.

Not every Hawaii real estate agent is a Hawaii REALTOR. In order to be called a REALTOR, an agent must be a member of the National Association of REALTORS (NAR) and subscribe to its strict Code of Ethics. The main purpose of this code is to ensure the best interests of the clients are being observed at all times. It holds agents to a much higher standard of ethical behavior than is required by law and ensures you receive the best service.

Imagine that you are looking at Hawaii beach houses for sale or a condo in Honolulu Hawaii. You search the Internet for the best Hawaii real estate agents and come up with a two Hawaii agents that fit your needs. One is a REALTOR and the other not. Both seem reputable enough but what makes the REALTOR different? First and foremost, the REALTOR has pledged to put your interests ahead of his or her own. This means that honesty will always come before commission. Taking advantage of your trust for personal gain will never be an option for your Hawaii REALTOR.

There are a host of other reasons why choosing a Hawaii REALTOR is the best decision you can make. Hawaii REALTORS make buying and selling Hawaii real estate a safe and worry-free process. This is what makes Hawaii a great place to live, one of the best places to retire and the perfect place to raise kids. At Best of Hawaii Real Estate, we connect you free with only the best Hawaii REALTORS so you can be sure your agent is trustworthy and genuine.

There’s more to love on Hawaii’s Big Island. Owning luxury Hawaii real estate takes on a new meaning when it’s on the Big Island. Believe it or not, more than half of all the land in Hawaii belongs to Big Island real estate. With this kind of opportunity, it’s easy to find the perfect mansion in Hawaii to suit every possible taste.

Size isn’t the Big Island’s only claim to fame. Where else can you surf and ski in the same day? We can assure you, a list of those locations would be incredibly small. Add living a luxury lifestyle in paradise to the question and you’ll see why Big Island real estate stands alone at the top.

Kailua Kona Hawaii is located on the west side of the Big Island, and can be seen on number 25 of our Big Island Virtual Tour. Kona is a hotbed of luxury Hawaii real estate activity with some of the biggest mansions in Hawaii. Waikoloa real estate to the north (# 29 on our Big Island Virtual Tour) offers up extravagant resort living near world-class golf courses, shopping and beaches.

Hilo homes on the east coast offer a more laid back luxury lifestyle. This close knit community is home to the island’s only major airport, an excellent four-year university and gives quick access to the renowned Volcano National Park. Are you imagining a secluded Hawaii mansion with an ocean view? What about a luxury Hilo Hawaii condo? Look no further than Hilo real estate.

From Kona Hawaii to Hilo, the Kohala Coast to Puako, Best of Hawaii Real Estate connects you with the Big Island REALTOR who can make your dream of owning luxury Hawaii real estate a reality. Our free service takes the guesswork out of your real estate search.

Owning luxury Hawaii real estate takes on a new meaning when it’s on the Big Island. With so much real estate available, it’s easy to find the perfect mansion in Hawaii to suit every possible taste.