Christmas at the Hukilau Marketplace, 2019 really shone!

Our 2019 Christmas at the Hukilau Marketplace was a roaring success! Combining some old favorites with some exciting new offerings proved to be a great experience for both tourists and locals alike. A lot of our vendors put up their own decorations, offered seasonal menu items and even contributed in our 12 Days of Christmas giveaways on social media-which were a big hit!

We had so much fun, we wanted to share some of our favorite moments with you!

NEW! Santa’s Workshop

Elves point the way through the workshop while a Christmas tree of lights is filled with presents

We converted the old Welcome Center into a busy workshop for Santa featuring a large variety of decorations to get celebrants into the Christmas spirit! We had snowmen, elves, reindeer, a gingerbread house, Christmas village and of course, the jolliest tourist in the world. Guests were able to tour through all the workstations of the elves, and children were able to talk to Santa and Mrs. Claus.

The Joy of Giving!

President P. Alfred Grace f the Polynesian Cultural Center and representatives form the four local charitable organizations selected to receive donations from this year’s giving machines

The Polynesian Cultural Center was proud to provide space for a great cause. Two Giving Machines, sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, provided visitors with a way to support local and international charities. Over 7,000 people contributed at our Laie, Hawaii site.

A  Royal Visit

Miss Hawaii, Nikki Holbrook, helps visitors place their donation order at the Giving Machine

Miss Hawaii, Niki Holbrook, who co-incidentally attends BYU-Hawaii, wanted to come check out the Giving Machine for herself. She even volunteered to assist others for the evening.

Snow in Hawaii? YOU BET!

Children from all over enjoyed our special SNOW DAY sledder’s hill, with real snow!

Our Snow Days have been a fan favorite for the past 4 years. Kids line up early for their chance to experience a winter wonderland. This year we increased the fun with a ramp and inner tubes.

Marketplace Scavenger Hunt

Whitney Hungerford shows off the game sheet for 2019’s Christmas scavenger hunt. And in the true Christmas spirit, the prizes were for everyone who turned their sheets back in!

An old favorite was updated with a list of items to find while touring Santa’s Workshop! Each participant received a check-off sheet. Once they turned it in, no matter how many items found, they were able to choose a prize.

Choo Choo!

Our Christmas Train wound it’s way throughout the Marketplace

Our Christmas train is always very popular! Some people come multiple times just to ride the train.

Nightly entertainment

Every evening was filled with music and dance

Performers included Everdream, Ka Hale Auamo, Rainbow Ulii, Melelani, J.N.T, Braden Wood, Vaiarii Kaonohi, the BYUH Faculty Choir, and the Keiki Shumway Choir.

Live Nativity shares the true spirit of the season

The live nativity was placed just before the Center’s Welcome Center

Local students presented the nativity story for guests a number of times each evening – helping to bring a focus to the magic and beauty of the season.

A special place to celebrate

The 2019 Christmas at the Hukilau Marketplace proved to be a great 3 week celebration. We welcomed over 7,000 visitors, gave away hundreds of prizes, and most importantly, provided a special place to celebrate the holidays for guests and locals alike.

Nina S Jones

Nina Jones, a mainland gal from way back, is now a transplanted Islander. With her husband of 43 years, she has lived in La’ie since serving a mission at the Polynesian Cultural Center from 2014 – 2016. She is serves as the blog manager for the Center. Her hobbies include swimming, traveling, studying and writing about what she is learning from the various Polynesian cultures. Her blogs focus on their history, beliefs, practices and – as an added bonus – delicious food! To her, Polynesia is not just a place to visit, it is a way to live and she is very honored to be able to be a part of their amazing world.