The Chinese New Year was traditionally the most important festival every year. The entire household would become fixated on the celebration and work life would nearly come to a stop, allowing all to make home and family the primary focus. Households are thoroughly cleaned to appease the gods coming to make inspections. The new lunar year is celebrated annually from mid-January to the waxing of the full moon in mid-February through a variety of unique traditions. The Chinese community gathers, often wearing the symbolic color red, to bring good luck and to have prosperity in the coming year, exchange red envelopes with cash gifts, and participate in festivals with parades, music, dancing, and fireworks. During the first five days, celebrations involve eating long noodles as a symbol of living a long life. Extended families share a meal together that includes a fish course not meant to eat as a symbol of abundance. And finally, on the last day of the New Year, dumplings in the shape of the full moon are shared to symbolize the family unit. Source:Image via Hawaii NYE
Where to Celebrate in Hawaii
You can celebrate the Chinese New Year throughout the islands of Hawaii. Here’s a list of popular events:
Chinese New Year in Oahu
- Sing Yung Dragon and Lion Dance Association 昇勇龍獅協 Attend any of their several scheduled performances during Chinese New Year or hire them for your private party.
- Chinese Chamber of Commerce The Chamber sponsors multiple events during Chinese New Year, including the Narcissus Queen Court.
- City & County of Honolulu Parades and Events View parade and event schedules for Chinese New Year in Honolulu.
Chinese New Year in Maui
- Maui Chinese New Year Festival The community page on Facebook shares events annually sponsored by the Maui Chinese New Year Festival, Maui Chinese Cultural Society, and Maui Chinese Club.
Chinese New Year in the Big Island
- Shops at Mauna Lani Performances throughout the Chinese New Year at multiple locations on the Big Island.
How to celebrate As a Native
The Cantonese pronunciation of Happy New Year is: Gung Hay Fat Choy
The Mandarin pronunciation of Happy New Year is: Gungshi Shin Nien
Andrew Doughty is the famous author of the widely popular Hawaii Revealed series including Kauai Revealed, Oahu Revealed, Maui Revealed and the Big Island Revealed. He moved to Kauai many years ago after he fell in love with the beauty of the islands and decided to never go back. He is known for his candid opinion on each of Hawaii’s attractions, be it a restaurant, a helicopter ride, a beach or a resort. For the last two decades, he has managed to keep his identity anonymous so that his reviews can remain unbiased and only be influenced by his own opinions and thoughts. You can learn more about his beautiful journey at this link – About the author
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