Mele Kalikimaka from History Education Hawaii, Inc.

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As we say in Hawaii, "Mele Kalikimaka!" Merry Christmas!

And from the December 25, 1862 edition of the Pacific Commercial Advertiser, published in Honolulu:

MERRY CHRISTMAS-has returned, and from present indications promises to be quite as merrily kept as any that have preceded it. Old Santa Claus-the good humored saint of fun and frolic, who has always been courted and coaxed here in Honolulu, has this year been severely taxed for his favors, and if he presided on person at all the Christmas trees and gatherings of old and young which occurred last night, his aged limbs will require some rest after the holiday’s fatigue is over.

Among the Christmas trees prepared were one at Washington Place, at Judge Robertson’s, at Mr. Brewster’s, at Mrs. Lowell Smith’s, at Dr. Judd’s, at Mr. Varigny’s, besides others. Each had its assemblage of happy and joyful souls, -and each evergreen tree was loaded down with a host of sparkling, tempting gifts of every hue and variety, the very sight of which was a feast making the youthful heart still lighter and lifting the burden of years and of cares from the aged.

A rap at the door a jingle of bells, and Santa Claus rushed in, attracting every eye:

“He was dressed all in fur from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;

A bundle of toys he bad flung on his back,

And he looked like a peddler, opening his pack.

His eyes, how they twinkled; his dimples, how merry;

His cheeks were likes roses; his nose like a cherry;

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And his beard on his chin was as white as the snow.

A wink of his eye, and a twist of his head,

Soon gave them to know they had nothing to dread.”

But we need not attempt to portray what is indescribable, and what so many saw only last evening. The anniversary is one of those happy incidents that knit together the hearts of old and young, and whatever the costs to make it happy and pleasant, all will say it is money well spent. All cannot enjoy it alike, and it is well for such as have been blessed with this world’s goods to remember those who have not the ability to provide what others have. On no occasion is the injunction more appropriate than on this- “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

To each of our readers, we wish a MERRY CHRISTMAS, and trust it may be one of many more to follow.