This holiday season in Hawai‘i has been full of surprises: majestic humpbacks returning home, a fiery visitor from the sky, and a Christmas Eve football game that had fans talking story from Waikīkī to Hilo.
Every December through March, humpback whales make their way into Hawai‘i’s warm waters, and this year’s arrival has been extra special. Local boat tours out of Waikīkī and Kona are reporting guaranteed sightings of these gentle giants breaching and tail-slapping right off the bow — a seasonal delight that’s amp-ed up everyone’s aloha mood. (Go Hawaii)
But that’s not the only thing lighting up skies this month. Back on December 2, skywatchers — and anyone out walking after sundown — spotted a spectacular fireball blazing over the Pacific just off O‘ahu’s coast. Amateur astronomers had cameras pointed skyward when a bright streak flickered for a few thrilling seconds, sparking everything from serious scientific chatter to jokey “it’s aliens!” threads online.(Reddit)
And if that wasn’t enough drama for one week, the football felt kept flying right into Christmas Eve. The Hawai‘i Bowl on December 24 saw the Rainbow Warriors and the California Golden Bears put on a show at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex in Honolulu. With big plays, big cheers, and a scoreboard that had fans on the edge of their seats, it was a holiday treat that had everyone talking story — whether rooting from the stands or shouting at TVs across the islands.
From ocean giants running their seasonal route, to celestial fireworks lighting the horizon, to gridiron drama on Christmas Eve — Hawai‘i’s end-of-year vibes have been as vibrant and surprising as ever. And as the New Year approaches, there’s no doubt the islands will keep serving up local color that’s worth sharing with friends and ʻohana.
