25+ Hawaiian Christmas Foods For Your Best Dinner Party

Mele Kalikimaka 🎄

When you picture Christmas dinner, you probably think turkey, gravy, and mashed potatoes. In Hawaii? Totally different story.

Here, the holidays taste like smoky kalua pork, poke bowls, coconut shrimp, lomi lomi salmon, buttery haupia, and ice-cold Mai Tais under twinkling lights.

Hawaiian Christmas food is all about luau-style feasting: big shared platters, bold flavors, and a mix of Hawaiian, local, and Asian dishes on one crowded table.

Whether you’re actually in the islands or just bringing the tropics to your home, this guide will help you build a Christmas menu that feels warm, fun, and full of aloha.

Appetizers (Pupus)

Before the big feast comes the fun part: pūpū. Hawaiian Christmas party almost always starts with finger foods you can snack on while people arrive, talk story, and hang out around the table.

28. Poke

Fresh, simple, and iconic. Poke is made with diced raw fish (usually ahi or sometimes octopus) tossed with shoyu, sesame oil, sweet onions, and seaweed.

At Christmas, it’s often served in big bowls with rice or chips on the side so guests can build their own little poke bites.

27. Manapua

Manapua are fluffy steamed or baked buns filled with char siu pork or other savory fillings like sweet potato or shoyu chicken.

They’re easy to grab with one hand and perfect for a holiday platter when you want something warm and comforting.

26. Spam Musubi

Spam musubi is a true island classic: a slice of grilled Spam on a block of rice, wrapped with nori.

For a Hawaiian Christmas party, you can cut them smaller, add teriyaki glaze or furikake, and pile them high on a tray. They travel well and disappear fast.

25. Kalua Pork Sliders

Use tender kalua pork tucked into Hawaiian sweet rolls, maybe with a bit of slaw or pineapple. They’re an easy way to turn a traditional luau main into bite-size pūpū for guests who want something more filling.

24. Taro Chips & Dips

Crispy taro chips served with lomi-style salsa, poke dip, or a creamy crab or seafood dip add crunch to the spread. They’re great for grazing and bring in that earthy taro flavor without cooking poi.

23. Crispy Lumpia or Spring Rolls

Thanks to Filipino and Asian influence in Hawaii, lumpia and spring rolls show up at plenty of holiday parties. Filled with veggies, pork, or glass noodles and served with sweet chili sauce, they fit right in on a Hawaiian Christmas pūpū table.

Iconic Main Dishes

The main dishes of Hawaiian Christmas fare add a unique, flavorful touch to your holiday table. With rich cultural roots and bold flavors, they’re sure to impress and delight!

22. Kalua Pork

The star of a Hawaiian Christmas dinner. Traditionally cooked in an underground imu, kalua pork is salted, wrapped in leaves, and slow-cooked until smoky and fall-apart tender.

At home, you can mimic it in a slow cooker or oven with liquid smoke. Serve it piled high with rice, poi, and lomi lomi salmon.

21. Laulau

Lau lau is a Polynesian pork, fish, or chicken dish. The meat is wrapped first in taro leaves, then steamed in an imu.

It can also be prepared in a crockpot, a large steamer, or the oven for several hours. Salty and delicious, it comes served well with rice or poi. It’s a typical lunch dish that can be enjoyed any day.

20. Chicken Long Rice

This cozy dish combines shredded chicken, ginger, garlic, and glass noodles simmered in a light, savory broth. It’s a must-have when you want something warm and gentle that kids, picky eaters, and elders all enjoy.

19. Coconut Shrimp

Crispy, golden shrimp coated in coconut and breadcrumbs show up at plenty of Christmas luaus. They add crunch and a hit of sweetness to the menu, especially when served with sweet chili sauce or pineapple dipping sauce.

18. Huli huli chicken

Grilled chicken marinated in a sweet-savory sauce with pineapple, soy, and ginger. It’s easy to cook on a grill or in the oven and feels festive without being fussy—great if you want a main that isn’t pork.

17. Hawaiian-style short ribs

These are usually marinated in a shoyu-based sauce with garlic, ginger, brown sugar, and sometimes pineapple juice, then grilled or baked until caramelized and tender.

Hawaiian-style short ribs are rich, juicy, and perfect for a Christmas luau plate alongside rice, mac salad, and a bright, fresh side.

Enjoy Side Dishes of Hawaiian Food for Christmas

Side dishes are an essential part of a Hawaiian Christmas dinner, served alongside the main dishes to create a well-rounded, flavorful meal.

16. Macaroni salad

A favorite Hawaiian food for Christmas tradition – Macaroni salad, adds a creamy, tangy element to the Christmas spread. Made with mayonnaise, vinegar, and finely diced vegetables, it’s simple yet incredibly satisfying.

15. Poi

Poi is made from steamed, pounded taro root and has a smooth, slightly sticky texture. Its mild, earthy flavor pairs perfectly with rich dishes like kalua pork and laulau, helping balance all the salt and smoke on the plate.

14. Lomi lomi salmon

This refreshing side is made with salted salmon, tomatoes, onions, and sometimes green onions, all “massaged” together. Served chilled, it cuts through heavier meats and adds color and brightness to your Hawaiian Christmas spread.

13. Traditional Hawaiian Coleslaw

A light slaw with cabbage, carrot, and pineapple or mango adds crunch and acidity. It’s a nice contrast to fatty meats and keeps the plate from feeling too heavy.

12. Grilled pineapple wedges

Pineapple brushed with a bit of brown sugar or honey and quickly grilled until caramelized is an easy side that screams “island Christmas.” It works next to meats, on top of rice, or even as a bridge between savory and dessert.

11. Hawaiian fried rice

Loaded with Spam or Portuguese sausage, green onions, eggs, and sometimes pineapple, Hawaiian-style fried rice is perfect for feeding a crowd and using leftovers. It’s hearty enough to share space with the mains on any Christmas buffet.

10. Pipikaula

Pipikaula is Hawaiian-style dried or cured beef—salty, chewy, and full of flavor. It can be served sliced as a side or small plate alongside rice, poi, and other luau dishes, adding a slightly smoky, snackable bite to your Christmas spread.

Hawaiian Christmas Desserts

A Hawaiian Christmas luau shines even brighter with a delightful array of desserts that celebrate the tropical flavors of the islands. These sweet treats are the perfect finale to a festive meal!

09. Haupia

Haupia, a creamy coconut pudding, is another Hawaiian classic. This silky dessert is typically served in small squares and pairs beautifully with fresh fruit or as a topping for other sweets. Its light, refreshing flavor makes it a crowd-pleaser during holiday feasts.

08. Mochi

Mochi is a must-have at any Christmas luau. These chewy rice cakes are often infused with tropical flavors like coconut, mango, or guava, making them a festive favorite. They’re colorful, bite-sized, and loved by both kids and adults.

07. Butter mochi

Butter mochi is a baked mochi cake made with coconut milk and butter. Chewy, slightly crisp on the edges, and easy to bake in a big pan, it’s one of the best make-ahead desserts for a Hawaiian Christmas party.

06. Malasadas Hawaii-style

Malasadas Hawaii-style are irresistible Portuguese-inspired doughnuts that have become a staple in Hawaiian desserts. Deep-fried to golden perfection, Malasadas are often filled with custards, jams, or chocolate for a festive twist. Dust them with powdered sugar, and they’re ready to wow your guests.

05. Lilikoi Cheesecake

For those who love a decadent dessert, Lilikoi Cheesecake is the ultimate indulgence. Lilikoi creamy cheesecake, made with tangy passion fruit (lilikoi) sauce, offers a perfect balance of sweet and sour flavors, capturing the essence of the islands in every bite.

04. Haupia pie & pineapple upside-down cake

Haupia pie layers coconut cream over a chocolate or macadamia crust, while pineapple upside-down cake with mac nuts brings caramelized fruit and crunch.

Either one works great as a centerpiece dessert for a Hawaiian-style Christmas dinner.

With this lineup of iconic desserts, Hawaiian food for Christmas party delivers a sweet ending to a meal that’s as vibrant and flavorful as the islands themselves.

Hawaiian Christmas Recipes for Drinks

No Hawaiian Christmas celebration is complete without festive drinks to finish the island-inspired feast. Let these iconic drinks add a cheerful, island-style twist to your Christmas dinner!

03. Mai Tai

A classic tropical cocktail, the Mai Tai is a staple at Hawaiian Christmas luaus, adding a festive flair to the celebration.

Made with a mix of rum, lime juice, orange curaçao, and orgeat syrup, the Mai Tai is garnished with fresh mint, a lime slice, or even a festive cherry.

Sipping a Mai Tai under twinkling holiday lights and swaying palm trees captures the perfect blend of Christmas cheer and island vibes.

02. Piña Coladas

Creamy, sweet, and refreshing, Piña Coladas bring a touch of the tropics to a Hawaiian Christmas.

This iconic drink combines coconut cream, pineapple juice, and rum, blended to frothy perfection and often served in a festive glass or hollowed-out pineapple.

Perfect for toasting by the beach, this Christmas cocktail celebrates the spirit of aloha.

01. Fresh Coconut

Chilled coconuts or bottled coconut water are a refreshing, light option next to heavier cocktails. They’re perfect for guests who want to join the island vibe without drinking alcohol.

Sample Hawaiian Christmas Dinner Menu

Now that you’ve seen the dishes, here’s how to turn them into an authentic Hawaiian Christmas dinner menu. Mix and match depending on how big your party is.

Classic Hawaiian Christmas Luau Menu

Perfect if you want the whole “traditional” Hawaiian Christmas dinner vibe.

• Kalua pork
• Laulau
• Chicken long rice
• Lomi lomi salmon
• Poi
• Macaroni salad
• White rice & Hawaiian sweet rolls
• Haupia and butter mochi
• Mai Tais + POG juice or coconut water

Easy Home-Friendly Hawaiian Christmas Menu

Great for home cooks who want island flavors without too much stress.

• Slow-cooker or oven kalua pork
• Huli huli chicken
• Hawaiian fried rice
• Pineapple or tropical slaw
• Island-style green salad with papaya seed dressing
• Grilled pineapple wedges
• Malasadas or pineapple upside-down cake
• Tropical punch (POG + pineapple + soda)

Hawaiian Christmas Party & Potluck Menu (Finger Food Style)

• Best for office parties, casual get-togethers, or big family potlucks.
• Piña Coladas / Lava Flows + non-alcoholic POG punch
• Poke platter (ahi poke + chips or rice)
• Spam musubi (cut into smaller bites)
• Mini manapua
• Kalua pork sliders on Hawaiian sweet rolls
• Taro chips with lomi-style salsa or seafood dip
• Pipikaula slices
• Coconut shrimp with sweet chili or pineapple sauce
• Mochi, butter mochi squares, and lilikoi cheesecake bites

Wrap Up

Hawaiian Christmas food isn’t about one perfect recipe — it’s about a table packed with shared dishes, big flavors, and people you love.

From smoky kalua pork and laulau to lomi lomi salmon, macaroni salad, butter mochi, and tropical drinks, a Hawaiian-style Christmas feels more like a luau than a formal holiday dinner.

Whether you’re celebrating in the islands or just bringing island vibes to your home, you can build your own Hawaiian Christmas feast by mixing a few mains, sides, pūpū, and desserts that fit your crowd.

Keep it relaxed, serve everything family-style, and let the aloha spirit do the rest!

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Malia O’Connor

I am a cultural historian and editor with over 10 years of research into pre-contact Polynesian history, the Lapita migration, and oral traditions. Share the excitement of my latest publications.

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