On Dec. 1 I walked out of the 3D Travel offices to Honolulu's version of a Winter Wonderland. Every building in the downtown area dresses up for the holidays: the trees are wrapped in lights, the buildings are draped in wreaths and boughs, and Honolulu Hale — our city hall —unveils a massive display of Christmas trees, punctuated with a mammoth tree on the outside, and brings back our favorite holiday character, shaka Santa.

No, we won't be warming ourselves by the hearth and roasting chestnuts — although with temps in the 70s, even in the 60s overnight, our winter is officially here.

If you're visiting for the holidays and want to take a tour on the festive trolleys that roll through all the displays, you can buy tickets at Ward Centers.


Shaka Santa and Mrs. Claus sit atop the fountain next to the entrance of Honolulu Hale.


They're a very merry couple. You would be, too, if you got away to the Islands and away from the North Pole during December.









This 55-foot Norfolk pine lit up for the first time on Dec. 3 and will shine through the month.

















The tree is just outside Honolulu Hale, which houses an impressive display of trees decorated by various civic groups and agencies.









My favorite? No question: A miniature Hokulea (the Hawaiian voyaging canoe) with a tree aboard and Stitch at the helm.

















Chinese New Year's right around the corner. Everybody's gearing up for Year of the Rabbit on Feb. 3.


Lots of families were checking out the festive displays and taking pictures with a human Santa under a gingerbread house.


Our snowmen are longboarders.


"Merry Christmas!"