My 22 year old son, is whining about it not feeling like Christmas over in Hawaii. Where would be a nice place for me to make reservations for Christmas dinner, in Oahu/Waikiki area or other on the island. We do just get in from Maui that afternoon. I need someplace special since my family is sad about not spending Christmas day home with all our relatives back in Ohio. OH MY!

Does he have any neighbors or co-workers in the same situation? When my husband and I lived on Oahu we had a very nice Thanksgiving dinner with some of our neighbors whose families were on the Mainland (we did an expensive dinner at Hoku's for Christmas). If he doesn't find anyone he could look around for a volunteer opportunity at a soup kitchen or something along those lines.

Christmas day is so special and Waikiki is a beautiful place to celebrate with your son. How about at the most famous hotel on the island? http://www.royal-hawaiian.com/de_christmas05.htm

Here are some other suggestions for things to see around Christmas time:

Outside of Honolulu Hale (city hall) on the lawn has one of the best Christmas displys in the country, with huge ornaments, Shaka Santa and Tutu Mele.

Inside of Honolulu Hale, there is a Christmas tree and wreath display. There are about 30 trees and 30 wreaths that are decorated really nice. It's on S. King Street, near Iolani Palace. Free parking in garage behind Honolulu Hale nights through January 2.

Do a search: Honolulu City Lights for info and pictures.

Some other nice decorations in or near the downtown area.

Several Waikiki hotels have nice Christmas decorations inside. Sheraton Moana and Royal Hawaiian are two of them. Some other nice decorations throughout Waikiki.

Many of the Waikiki shows have a special Christmas show.

Nice decorations in front of Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center.

Nice residential displays in Ahuimanu, just past Valley of the Temples (Byodo-In Temple). There are about 20 houses all with decorations on one street.

While you are in Maui, see the huge Banyon tree in Lahaina. It's nicely decorated for Christmas.

I'm so sorry, I completely misunderstood your question. I thought your son would be spending Christmas dinner alone. Many of the hotels have special dinners with all the traditional Christmas foods, but I personally think you should do something Hawaiian or Asian. There's no way to make Christmas in Hawaii feel like Christmas in the Midwest (where I grew up and currently live), so why not make it a unique, Hawaiian Christmas.

Christmas at the Moana Surfrider is the best mainland-ambiance one on O`ahu, IMHO. The hotel is such a "gracious lady" herself, the addition of the big tree in the lobby and all the beautiful traditional decorations, could easily be confused with an East Coast Christmas...'cept for the warm weather, swaying palms near the pool, and that glorious beach! 8-)

They do a wonderful Christmas dinner buffet, with no extra charge for beautiful beachfront views...

Click on "Take me there" on this page to get hotel details:
http://www.wizardpub.com/oahu/orsher...surfrider.html