PHOTOS: Santa Arrives on Maui by Canoe

By Malika Dudley / Email: malika@mauinow.com

Santa arrived by double-hull, 12-man outrigger canoe this morning. At about 10:00 a.m. on Christmas Eve, Jolly Saint Nick canoe surfed to shore with 12 paddlers dressed in bright red kīhei / lukaluka and santa hats. Santa was greeted with lei and pū (conch shell) at Wailea Beach as hundreds of bystanders cheered. The paddlers then performed a traditional oli (E Hō Mai) and the procession made their way to the Molokini Lawn for Santa to greet the eager keiki.

This is the first annual “Santa Canoe Arrival” for the Grand Wailea. Yvonne Biegel, Director of Public Relations says they plan to make it a yearly community event. The Kīhei Canoe Club provided the double-hull canoe, led by Kimokeo Kapahulehua. The paddlers were from different canoe clubs from across Maui.

*Simply click on the images below to view them larger.*

Santa Arrival at Wailea Beach 12/24/14 – Image: Malika Dudley

Santa Arrival at Wailea Beach 12/24/14 – Image: Malika Dudley

Santa Arrival at Wailea Beach 12/24/14 – Image: Malika Dudley

Santa Arrival at Wailea Beach 12/24/14 – Image: Malika Dudley

Santa Arrival at Wailea Beach 12/24/14 – Image: Malika Dudley

Santa Arrival at Wailea Beach 12/24/14 – Image: Malika Dudley

Santa Arrival at Wailea Beach 12/24/14 – Image: Malika Dudley

Santa Arrival at Wailea Beach 12/24/14 – Image: Malika Dudley

Santa Arrival at Wailea Beach 12/24/14 – Image: Malika Dudley

Santa Arrival at Wailea Beach 12/24/14 – Image: Malika Dudley

Santa Arrival at Wailea Beach 12/24/14 – Image: Malika Dudley

Santa Arrival at Wailea Beach 12/24/14 – Image: Malika Dudley

Santa Arrival at Wailea Beach 12/24/14 – Image: Malika Dudley