1. In 1826, King Kamehameha III declared December 24th a national holiday in honor of the birth of Christ. This was the first time Christmas was officially recognized in Hawaii.

2. In 1855, the first Christmas tree was introduced to Hawaii by German immigrants. It was a small pine tree that was lit with candles.

3. On December 24, 1890, the Kalakaua dynasty came to an end when King Kalakaua passed away. He was succeeded by his sister, Queen Liliuokalani.

4. In 1941, the attack on Pearl Harbor occurred on December 7th, just 17 days before Christmas Eve. The holiday season was bittersweet for many families who had lost loved ones in the attack.

5. In 1987, the Honolulu Marathon began on December 24th. This annual event attracts thousands of participants from around the world and has become one of Hawaii’s most popular sporting events.