Christmas prior to the arrival of Captain Cook in 1778

The Hawaiian people did not celebrate Christmas prior to the arrival of Captain Cook in 1778. It was, however, the protestant missionaries from New England who first arrived in 1820 who first introduced Christmas to the Hawaiian people.
The missionaries reduced the Hawaiian language to written form, enabling the Hawaiian people to read and write in their own language. Many words for which there were no clear Hawaiian language equivalents were translated phonetically.

Let's look at some key phrases that you may hear in Hawaii during the Christmas and New Year's Day holiday season.

Mele Kalikimaka - Merry Christmas. The words "Mele Kalikimaka" are a phonetic translation. When the missionaries and other Westerners first brought the custom of Christmas to the islands the Hawaiians had difficulty pronouncing Merry Christmas and turned it into words that rolled more easily off their tongues.

Hau'oli Makahiki Hou - Happy New Year. The western Christmas and New Year fell during this same time of the year that the Hawaiians traditionally honored the earth for giving them plenty to eat. This period of resting and feasting was called Makahiki (mah-kah-HEE- kee). It lasted for 4 months, and no wars or conflicts were allowed during this time. Because makahiki also means "year", the Hawaiian phrase for "Happy New Year" became "Hau'oli (happy) Makahiki (year) Hou (new)"(how-OH-lee mah-kah-hee-kee ho).

Mele Kalikimaka me ka Hau'oli Makahiki Hou - Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Mahalo Nui Loa - Thank you very much. When you receive a nice gift or are treated to a special meal or beautiful song, you'll want to express your appreciation for the kindness.
Here are a few individual words that you may also see in Hawaii during the Christmas season:

Angel - Anela
Candy - Kanake
Christmas Eve - Ahiahi Kalikimaka
Christmas Tree - La’au Kalikimaka
Elf - Menehune
Garland - Lei
Gift - Makana
God - Akua
Holly - Kawa’u
Jesus Christ- Iesu Kristo
Joy, Happy - Hau’oli
Love - Aloha
Mistletoe - Kaumahana
Ornament - Wehi
Peace - Malu
Reindeer - Leinekia
Santa Claus - Kanakaloka
Snow - Hau Kea
Snowball - Popohau
Snowflake - Hau puehuehu
Star - Hoku
Wreath - Lei
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