Living in Hawaii sometimes feels like you live in another country while still living in the United States. Let me explain.

 Everyone in Hawaii celebrates all U.S. holidays. Whether it’s Christmas, New Year’s, The Fourth of July, or Easter. The residents of Hawaii love celebrations and traditions. Holidays are a part of lifeand culture.

Given the fact Hawaii is the 50^th state; there is no surprise that all national holidays are observed. Unlike the other 49 states, however, Hawaii residents always manage to put their own unique spin on every celebration. While every holiday and celebration will always have the traditions of the rest of the United States, each celebration takes on a Hawaiian twist with unique flavors.

For example, go to any home in Hawaii for Thanksgiving and you will most definitely have turkey. But served alongside the turkey may be rice and macaroni salad instead of mashed potatoes. You may also find laulau which is a traditional Hawaiian food made with pork, chicken, and / or fish wrapped in taro leaves and then steamed. You could also have Japanese food, Korean food or Filipino food. The ethic background of the family, will determine the type of food served.

In Hawaii, New Year’s Eve will have the obligatory count-down and toast at mid-night but will also have additional aspects which are unique to Hawaii. This may include barbeques, serving sashimi (raw fish) and other types of ethnic food.  At many households in Hawaii, lighting off numerous fireworks to chase away evil spirits is also practiced.

Memorial Day has its own unique celebration. Traditionally, Memorial Day is a day to honor those who died in War. Started after the Civil War, Memorial Day, became part of the nations fabric right after World War One.

While there was some controversy when first introduced, Memorial Day has become a celebration of all fallen Veterans. The people of  Hawaii embrace this remembrance. Graves of fallen soldiers are decorated with fresh flowers as well as flower leis. (A garland of flowers connected by string). All manner of community groups get behind this effort. This can be noted at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (38,000 graves) also known as Punchbowl Cemetery as well as the Hawaii State VeteransCemetery (5,700 graves). 

To get ready for this holiday, over 43,000 leis have been assembled from volunteer groups across the state (Honolulu Star-Bulletin 5/27/07). Two thousand Hawaiian Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts, will be placing a lei and a small American flag on each grave. Local people use this day to not only to honor veterans, but to remember all family who have passed on. As you drive on the roadways of Hawaii, you will find all manner of fresh flowers  for sale, that can be purchased to be placed on graves. These flowers include various heleconias, and gingers.

Memorial Day in Hawaii is a day of remembrance: the living  celebrate those who have given their lives to their country as well as all family members who have died.

Albert Grande

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