A Winter Wonderland Here in Hawai’i

Mina Kohara, News
December 2, 2019

Winter Wishes – A Holiday Festival opened on Friday, Nov. 29 and will continue through Christmas Eve, Dec. 24. The event,  held at the Hawaii Convention Center, is presented jointly by the Convention Center, Matson, Y. Hata & Co., Star-Advertiser, and the Always Dream Foundation.

Winter Wishes opened up at the Honolulu Convention Center on Nov. 29. The holiday festival has an LED ice skating rink and other fun activities for the entire family to come and enjoy, including contests and prizes, pictures with Santa, and festive holiday cuisine and beverages. Tickets range from $10 to $15 on weekdays and $15 to $20 on weekends. The event ends on Dec. 24. Photo by Kirra Hartney 2019.

The Festival features an indoor ice skating rink, food stands, photos with Santa Klaus, and a Christmas tree forest. On the center stage, they hold the main event that changes daily. 

One of the main events, Storytelling, is hosted by Olympic ice skater Kristi Yamaguchi who reads one of her three children’s books to the audience. Other main events include Holiday Movie Night, Disco Skate Party, and Giving Tuesday. You can find all the events listed on the Hawaii Convention Center blog. 

“There are a lot more things going on than I thought with the small stands and all the local foods and including that with the events that are going on I think I would come again,” Sarah Toma (9) said when she visited on Dec.1. 

Lance Rae, an event announcer and coordinator, said that all proceeds benefit a variety of non-profits.

“The event will support early childhood literacy in Hawaii schools for the Always Dream Foundation,” Rae said. “The Always Dream Foundation, which is founded by Kristi Yamaguchi, ensures children from low-income families have access to high-quality books.”

“I think it’s a really great event and it seems like not a lot of people know about this event,” Toma (9) said,  “It’s always fun to skate around with friends and to see so many things that are Christmas puts me in a holiday spirit!”

Winter WishesThe Event is open Monday through -Thursday from 4:00 p.m. to -9:00 p.m., Friday 4:00 p.m. to-10:00 p.m., and Saturday and-Sunday 11:00 a.m. to -8:00 p.m. Prices on the weekend for General (ages 12-64) are $21, Senior (65+)$16, Child (3-11) are also $16, and children ages 2 and under are free. Weekday prices for General (ages 12-64) are $16,  Senior (65+) $11, Child (3-11) are also $11, and children ages 2 and under are free.