Every sunset provides a time for celebration in Honolulu, but the sun dipping down over the Waikiki-Leeward side of Oahu on the final day of the year provides a unique opportunity to enjoy the abundant energy and beauty of the island. Although the Honolulu Harbor is known as the site of one of the largest New Years firework displays outside of Asia, Honolulu also offers up a diverse spectrum of healthy adventures that nourish the mind and invigorate the body for the coming New Year. Happy New Year or more locally, Hau'oli Makahiki Hou!
Sundown Stroll
Before you gear up for the New Year's activities, slow down and enjoy the final sunset of the year at Kuhio Beach Park on Waikiki Beach. The park, where Kalakaua Avenue intersects with Kaiulani, provides a central picnic area and white powder beach for strolling as the sun dips into the Pacific Ocean. A torch-lighting and traditional hula ceremony welcomes the night and kicks off the evening activities.
Downtown Scavenger Hunt Race
Parchment paper, treasure maps and decoding rings are just a few of the items handed to the racers partaking in the one of the most unique scavenger hunts in the country. Honolulu provides the lively backdrop for the New Year's Eve "Quest for Father Time" scavenger hunt and adventure race organized by Ravenchase Adventures.
The race takes approximately two hours to complete and leads participants through a couple miles of downtown Honolulu and Chinatown. All that's required is a good pair of walking shoes and a strong sense of adventure. The cost for the 2010 Honolulu race averaged $125 per person and included the scavenger hunt and end of race party.
Parade and Race
Combining both race and parade, the Lanikai Woes New Year's Day Celebration provides a festive atmosphere for every participant. The event, which includes runners followed by marchers and floats, loops over lush hilly terrain beginning at Aalapapa Drive. The parade and festivities last all day and the surrounding Lanikai Community Park provides facilities for soccer, softball, basketball, volleyball, picnics and a fenced children's playground area.
Cultural Celebration
Observe the Japanese tradition of the first Shinto shrine visit of the New Year called "Hatsumode" in Hawaii. The occasion is celebrated at the shrines of Hawaii Kotohira Jinsha and Hawaii Dazaifu Tenmangu at 1239 Olomea Street in Honolulu. The shrines serve bowls of Ozoni Mochi soup, a traditional New Year's soup made of rice cake and miso, to visitors beginning at midnight on New Year's Eve. The shrine also hosts Shishimai Lion Dancing performances, a historic dance celebrating transition and renewal, throughout the New Year.
Beach Race
If your energy still holds, start the New Year off with an early morning 10K running race at Sandy Beach on New Years Day. The Mid Pacific Road Runner's Club sponsors and organizes a sign up for the Honolulu Bosetti beach race. Sandy Beach can be rough surf, but is a local favorite for body surfing and provides the ideal location for both the run and an after race beach swim.
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