Hawaii is known for its beautiful beaches, stunning sunsets, and rich cultural traditions. This includes the famous Hawaiian luau, an exciting event consisting of a traditional feast, music, and dancing. Thanks to their immense popularity, luaus are easy to find throughout the island of Oahu. However, three specific luaus on Oahu best illustrate the culture and spirit of the Hawaiian islands.
The Paradise Cove Luau is known across Oahu for being one of the best in the state. The luau’s beachfront location in the Ko Olina area makes it extremely convenient for resort guests. Great for all ages, this luau allows participants to partake in demonstrations of traditional Hawaiian crafts prior to dinner and entertainment. A few lucky visitors will even participate in Hawaiian dancing during the show! Paradise Cove offers the convenience and ease of a resort stay with the excitement of island traditions.
Germaine’s Luau is another convenient option for visitors to West Oahu, located near Barber’s Point. While it is slightly off the beaten path, visitors can drive or opt to take free transportation from Ko Olina (Saturday and Sunday only). Set in a beautiful beachfront locale, Germaine’s “backyard-style luau” boasts a low-key and highly relaxed vibe. Visitors will not be disappointed as they enjoy a multitude of island traditions before, during, and after dinner. Germaine’s fun luau on Oahu allows its guests to enjoy the traditional luau in a laid-back and comfortable setting.
Often touted as the most authentic luau, the Ali’i Luau is just a small part of the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) experience. Guests receive admission to the Center with their luau ticket purchase, allowing them to delve into a variety of exhibits on the history and culture of the Polynesian islands. After they are complete with their exploration, the luau takes them on an exciting journey through Polynesian culture through food and entertainment. While it is located a one-hour drive from West Oahu, those who choose to make the trek will thoroughly enjoy their immersive experience!
All three luaus have great attributes that will give you an amazing opportunity to become fully immersed in the culture of Hawaii. Each luau website listed above provides specific details on various price packages and amenities that are tailored specifically to your desired experience. No matter which luau you choose, you will undoubtedly leave filled with the spirit of Aloha!
Christmas is a time to celebrate family, tradition, and love. For some, Christmas celebration is filled with icy weather and loads of snow. If you’re one who’s looking for a change to warmer weather, and maybe even some sand, then you can stop searching today! Ola Properties offers Vacation Rentals at all price points to help you and your family combat frostbite without sacrificing any Christmas cheer. From parades and parties to visits from Santa, come join in on the Hawaiian fun and Luau your way towards a warmer Christmas in Hawaii tradition!
CHRISTMAS IN POLYNESIA – Dec 9th – Dec 22nd 2017
This mostly free event features a canoe ride for the family complete with live reenactments depicting the “birth of the savior”. For those who just want to bring the kids and have fun, there’s train rides and even a scavenger hunt! Experience these festivities with bit of Polynesian flair!
SEVEN DAYS TILL CHRISTMAS WITH ISLAND MUSIC AND HULA – Dec 19th – Dec 25th 2018
What better way to celebrate Christmas than with singing and dancing? Countdown the days until Christmas the Hawaiian way with Hula shows and a special performance, a “loving” Christmas in Waikiki, on Christmas Eve. Each night features a different performance and is sure to amaze and delight anyone!
Christmas at the Hukilau Marketplace – December 21st & 22nd, 2017
Known for transporting visitors back in time to the Hawaii of the 1950’s, Hukilau Marketplace is bursting with Polynesian culture, Christmas spirit, and intriguing adventures. From the twinkling lights Christmas is known for to flare filled performances you’ll only find in Hawaii, your nighttime adventure at the Hukilau Marketplace is sure to be one you and your family will never forget.
Halekulani Masterworks: Ode to Joy – Dec 28th & 29th, 2018
Just because Christmas in Hawaii is over, doesn’t mean Hawaiians stop celebrating. What better way to welcome the new year than with Beethoven’s Ode to Joy? Not matter your musical preference, you’re sure to be moved by this joint performance featuring the Oahu Choral Society and the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra. You can find tickets for purchase here.
Party of the Year with Eat the Street – Dec 31st 2018
End your year with a BANG, and some delicious Hawaiian style food and drinks. Enjoy Oahu’s diverse food trucks with their creative concoctions, live entertainment, and an amazing party! With delicious cocktails and decadent food, this New Year’s Bash is sure to be one for the record books!
Hawaii may be known for its sandy beaches and gorgeous nature trails, but the culture and love expressed by these islanders will surely bring your family closer together than ever before this holiday season. Come experience Christmas the Hawaiian way with Ola Properties as your guide. We’ll help you find the perfect rental for your vacation and point out the most amazing experiences you and your family won’t want to miss out on. So, don’t wait! Secure your rental today.
In the modern day, the conch is a commercial symbol of the Hawaiian culture and is featured in various pop culture scenes, such as the children’s show “Spongebob SquarePants.” However, this whimsical shell holds both historical and religious significance to Native Hawaiians and continues to represent a vital aspect of the continuation of their traditions.
The history of the pu dates back to prehistoric times and was shrouded in supernatural glory. It is believed that a group of biologically small native Hawaiians known as the Menehune of Waolani in the beautiful Nu’uanu Valley right here in O’ahu were controlled by Chief Kiha using his mighty conch. The royal conch was stolen from the Chief and legend goes that the Menehune blew the conch so insistently at night that a thief from the chiefdom stole the shell back, but chipped it on his way back.
The conch was initially used to signify the beginning of the new year known as Makahiki in which a royal entity known as Ali’i or ‘royalty’ arrived on Earth. The ceremony dictated that the shell must be blown in the four cardinal directions, North, South, East, and West to represent the coagulation of the powers of the na Akua or gods. But further than this, the pu represented practical communication uses. When blown correctly, a conch may be heard from miles away and was useful for those in the sea to communicate with their brothers and sisters on land.
Technique is very important when using a pu or conch. Volume and pitch are controlled mostly by the user’s lips and hands rather than the force with which he or she blows. Traditional technique suggests holding your lips slightly apart while humming to create a “raspberry”-like sound. The hand can then be used to affect pitch and volume in the opening of the shell.
Today, the shell is used for many of the same ceremonies you may play traditional music for, such as weddings, baptisms, or funerals. There are many festivals around O’ahu today that emphasize the conch and its importance to Hawaiian culture. Be sure to visit the websites below to find a local O’ahu event to see the modern day pu in use.
You are planning your yearly winter vacation and you want to spend the holidays somewhere truly different. Why not escape the winter weather with a trip to a fabulous tropical island? Don’t bother breaking out your passports, come and enjoy a Hawaiian holiday trip. The Hawaiian island of Oahu is the perfect place to spend the holidays, and Ola Properties can find you the ideal vacation home to stay.
We offer many rental options, including condos, houses and even homes that are located on the golf course. Inside you will find big bedrooms with comfortable mattresses and plenty of closet space. Many of our bedrooms come with their own enclosed patios. We have Master Bathrooms that come stocked with toiletries. Those bathrooms contain spacious showers and his and her sinks.
Our living rooms are the perfect place to unwind after a day of touring the island. You will enjoy plenty of comfortable seating in the living room. You can enjoy a movie on your flat screen television or sit around and post pictures of your magnificent vacation online with the homes free Wi-Fi.
Although Oahu is home to many great restaurants, you may want to enjoy a home cooked meal. Our kitchens come stocked with state-of-the-art appliance as well as pots, pans and plates. You can enjoy your holiday dinner around a dining room table or dine alfresco on the lanai.
You can spend your Christmas laying out in the sun on one of the beach towels / blankets we provide. You can change outfits as many times as you like because we provide washers and dryers in each unit. You won’t have to spend much time cleaning the kitchen, because every home has a dishwasher. If you hate to look for parking, be sure to ask for a home with its own private garage.
A lot of people come to Hawaii just to lay on the beach, but there is so much more to do in the state. You can go hiking in the mountains along the shore, where you will find breathtaking views of Oahu. You can go snorkeling or surf on the tasty tropical waves. You can pay your respects to the soldiers of World War II when you visit Pearl Harbor. You can visit the rain forest or just drive around the island and look at the beautiful waterfalls
Our holiday house rental in Oahu, Hawaii are very popular and fill up fast, so call us today at 808-726-2878.