The Holiday Season is the one of the busiest times of the year on the Big Island. You will find that many of the most popular restaurants and activities are either sold out weeks in advance or are not available, especially on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Rental Cars
It appears that most of the rental cars are sold out. Some companies may have extra vehicles that do not show available online so if you are having trouble finding a vehicle, please contact us at concierge@niftyrocket.com.
Whale Watches/Sunset Sails/Luaus/Helicopter Tours
These are the four most popular activities during the holidays and typically are sold out weeks in advance. Please contact us at concierge@niftyrocket.com if you have any questions regarding these activities.
Mauna Lani Charity Trees at the Mauna Lani Bay Resort
From December 3rd-December 28th the lobby will be filled with trees decorated by local organizations and charities participating in the 21st Annual Charity Trees. This event helps raise awareness and funds for local non-profit organizations. Everyone is invited to view the entries and vote for their favorite tree ($1 donation per vote). Mauna Lani Bay will be awarding cash prizes to the organizations whose trees receive the highest number of votes.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Dining Options
December 24, 2014:
Christmas Eve Royal Luau at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa: Santa will share holiday aloha during this special Christmas Luau, featuring Polynesian entertainment, ‘ono Hawaiian food including kalua pig fresh from the imu, holiday desserts, and an open bar. Adults $102; children $48.
Christmas Eve Buffet at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa: Enjoy prime rib, steamed snow crab legs, hand-crafted sushi, shrimp, and vegetable tempura, and other scrumptious items inspired by holiday flavors. Adults $50; children $30.
December 25, 2014:
Christmas Dinner at the Hilton Waikoloa Village: A full carving station will be serving turkey and prime rib, plus we’ll be offering lots of delicious chef-designed soups, salads, sides and desserts … and live entertainment! Adults $79 plus tax and 15% gratuity (includes one glass of
champagne); children 5 – 12 $31 plus tax and 15% gratuity; children 4 and under free with paid adult.
Christmas Dinner Buffet at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa: At Hawaii Calls Restaurant, enjoy a bountiful feast that includes lamb chops, mahi mahi, prime rib, chilled jumbo shrimp, and egg nog cheesecake, along with other holiday treats. Adults $69; children $30. Please contact us at concierge@niftyrocket.com if you have any questions regarding these dining options or would like to make reservations.
Recommended Churches for Holiday Services
There are several churches on the Kohala Coast offering Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services.
Annunciation Catholic Church in Waimea offers Christmas Eve masses at 5 pm and 10 pm. The 5 pm mass is family friendly. The Christmas Day mass is at 8 am. It is a beautiful church with windows throughout which allows visitors to see the mountainous terrain in Waimea. Please click here to view a map of how to get to Annunciation Catholic Church.
New Hope Waimea is a nondenominational church in Waimea and offers a Christmas Eve service at 6:30 pm as well as a Christmas Day service at 10 am. The Christmas Eve service is typically a child friendly service. Click here to view a map of how to get to New Hope Waimea.
Ascension Catholic Church is one of the closest churches to the Waikoloa Beach Resort. It offers a Christmas Day mass at 10 am and is about a 10 minute drive from the Waikoloa Beach Resort.
These times are tentative and may be updated as the holidays get closer..
New Year’s Eve Events
Tropical Hawai’i New Year’s Eve Part at the Hilton Waikoloa Village: Dance in the New Year at Hilton Waikoloa Village to the energetic sounds of the Son Caribe Band. Dinner stations will be open from 7 – 9 pm, but the party goes on even after New Year is rung in. Adults $129 (general seating); teens $89 (general seating); children 5 – 12 $49 (general seating). All prices plus tax and 15% service charge. Upgrade to Ali`i seating (includes tableside pupu, additional drink ticket, preferred seating) $40 plus tax and 15% service charge.
Reservations are required.
New Year’s Eve Buffet and After Party at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa: Ring in the New Year with a dinner buffet; $89/adult and $40/child (6-12). After dinner join them for an after party which will include a DJ, desserts and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. There will be a cash bar as well with drink specials. The after party is $30/person. If you decided do the dinner buffet you get the after party at 50% off, so $15/person. Dinner reservations are recommended, however, reservations are not required for the after party.
If you are still looking for accommodations, please check out one of the largest selection of Waikoloa condos.
