Thanksgiving in Hawaii

Thanksgiving in Hawaii brings families together over turkey, favorite recipes, and a meal that often reflects several cultures at once. A holiday spread might include stuffing and cranberry sauce alongside lumpia, rice, poke, kālua pig, and taro rolls. Dessert could mean pumpkin crunch cake or pumpkin haupia pie, with everyone gathered on a lānai or around tables outside.

For visitors, the holiday offers a chance to enjoy familiar Thanksgiving traditions while getting to know the islands through food, community, and time outdoors. At This Week Hawaii, we recommend leaving room in your plans for all three.

When Is Thanksgiving in Hawaii?

Hawaii observes Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday in November, just like the rest of the United States. In 2026, Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 26.

If you’re visiting over the holiday, arrange your Thanksgiving meal before filling the rest of your itinerary. Restaurant reservations, takeout orders, and holiday operating hours can determine how the day comes together.

What Makes Thanksgiving in Hawaii Different?

Family gatherings remain at the center of Thanksgiving here. Relatives and friends bring dishes, share the cooking, catch up, and settle in for a long meal. Potluck tables give each household a chance to contribute something, whether that’s a familiar holiday casserole or a recipe passed down through generations.

The food reflects Hawaii’s communities. Native Hawaiian dishes share space with foods influenced by Filipino, Japanese, Portuguese, and other culinary traditions. No single menu fits every family.

The setting can be different, too. When the weather cooperates, gatherings often spread onto covered patios, into backyards, or around outdoor tables. An afternoon outside can be as much a part of the holiday as the dinner itself.

What Do People Eat for Thanksgiving in Hawaii?

Turkey and ham still have a place at many tables. The difference is often what accompanies them and, in some households, how they cook the main dish.

Turkey Cooked in an Imu

Some families prepare their Thanksgiving turkey in an imu, a traditional Hawaiian underground oven. Heated stones and layers of plant material create an enclosed cooking environment that slowly cooks the food with retained heat and steam.

Schools and community organizations sometimes organize Thanksgiving imu fundraisers, giving households a way to have their turkey cooked while supporting a local cause. Participation depends on each organizer’s schedule and instructions, so check registration, food preparation requirements, and drop-off times in advance.

Imu cooking is a local Thanksgiving tradition; oven-roasted turkey and baked ham are also on the holiday table.

Hawaiian Dishes and Local Favorites

Alongside mashed potatoes and gravy, you may find:

• Lumpia: Filipino spring rolls with fillings that vary by family recipe, often served crisp and ready to share.
• Taro rolls: Soft rolls made with taro or poi, served alongside the main meal.
• ʻUlu: Breadfruit, a starchy staple that can be roasted, steamed, mashed, or prepared in other ways.
• Rice: A familiar accompaniment to meats, seafood, and other dishes.
• Poke (pronounced POH-kay): Seasoned, cut fish, with preparations ranging from simpler combinations to contemporary variations.
• Kālua pig: Tender pork traditionally cooked in an imu, though home preparations may use other methods.
• Lau lau: Bundles of meat or fish wrapped in taro leaves and cooked until tender.
• Poi: Cooked, pounded taro mixed with water, served alongside other foods.
• Sushi platters: An easy-to-share addition that some families include in the holiday spread.

These dishes do not all share the same origins. Together, they show how traditional Hawaiian foods and the islands’ broader local food culture can meet at one Thanksgiving gathering.

If you want to explore those flavors during your visit, browse our family restaurants in Hawaii. Check individual menus before heading out, especially on the holiday.

Pumpkin Crunch, Haupia Pie, and Other Desserts

Pumpkin pie has plenty of company in Hawaii. Pumpkin crunch cake is a local favorite, usually combining a pumpkin layer with a buttery, crumbly topping. Recipes vary, and many families have their own preferred version.

Pumpkin haupia pie pairs pumpkin with a coconut layer inspired by haupia, a Hawaiian coconut dessert. Malasadas, the Portuguese-style fried dough treats popular in Hawaii, may also appear alongside bread pudding and more familiar holiday pies.

If you’re ordering dessert from a bakery, confirm its Thanksgiving preorder deadline and pickup hours. Picking it up the day before can make the holiday easier to organize.

Makahiki: A Hawaiian Season That Predates Thanksgiving

Long before Thanksgiving became established in Hawaii, Native Hawaiians observed Makahiki, a season honoring Lono, associated with agriculture, rainfall, fertility, and peace.

The rising of Makaliʻi, the Pleiades star cluster, around sunset signals the season’s arrival. Makahiki spans roughly four lunar months during the wetter part of the year, with timing and observances varying by place and tradition.

As Kamehameha Schools explains in its overview of Makahiki, the season included offerings and tribute, feasting, games, and opportunities to strengthen community relationships. Warfare was prohibited during this period.



Makahiki and Thanksgiving have distinct histories and meanings. Although both can prompt conversations about food, gratitude, and gathering, Makahiki is a Hawaiian religious and cultural observance that spans several months, rather than a single day.

It is also a living tradition. Communities continue to hold Makahiki ceremonies and games today. If a public event takes place during your visit, follow the organizers’ guidance about participation and photography, and approach it as an opportunity to learn.

How to Plan Thanksgiving Dinner in Hawaii

Start by deciding what kind of meal fits your group: a restaurant dinner, a takeout spread, or a meal prepared where you’re staying.

Reserve a Restaurant Meal

Use our Hawaii dining guide to explore options, then contact restaurants directly about Thanksgiving service.

Before booking, confirm:

• Whether the restaurant is serving its regular menu, a buffet, or a set holiday menu.
• The total cost, including any service charges.
• Children’s pricing and seating times.
• Dietary accommodations and cancellation terms.

A restaurant’s usual opening hours or menu may change for Thanksgiving. Confirm the details for your travel dates rather than relying on an older holiday listing.

Order Takeout or Put Together Your Own Spread

Takeout can work well for families staying somewhere with a kitchen or dining area. Check how many people each package serves, whether dishes arrive hot or need reheating, and what equipment you’ll need.



For a smaller gathering, consider combining a main dish with a few local sides and a bakery dessert. You do not need a large, fully equipped kitchen to make the meal feel considered, but you do need to plan around refrigeration, reheating, and pickup times.

Things to Do During Thanksgiving Week

Give yourself time to enjoy the island without packing the holiday itself too tightly.

Spend Part of the Day Outdoors

A beach walk, a scenic lookout, or time in a park can fit easily around dinner. To get started, explore our guides to Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island, then check access and holiday hours for your chosen stops.

November brings changing ocean conditions, including larger swells on exposed north shores. If swimming or snorkeling is on your list, read our guide to snorkeling in Hawaii, check current conditions, and follow lifeguards’ advice.

Make Time to Give Back

A volunteer activity can add another dimension to your visit. Our guide to volunteering in Hawaii introduces ways travelers can support the islands, including environmental and community projects.

Contact organizations ahead of time to confirm availability, age requirements, and registration. Choose an activity that fits their needs and your group’s abilities.



Keep a Rainy-Day Option

November falls within Hawaii’s wetter season, though weather varies considerably between islands and even between nearby communities. A covered dining space and a flexible afternoon plan are useful.

Pack a light rain layer, check the local forecast, and leave room to adjust outdoor activities.

Frequently Asked Questions About Thanksgiving in Hawaii

Do People in Hawaii Celebrate Thanksgiving?

Yes. Many families celebrate with a shared meal and time together. Menus often combine turkey and traditional Thanksgiving sides with Hawaiian dishes and other local favorites.

What Is a Typical Thanksgiving Dinner in Hawaii?

There is no single standard menu. You might find turkey or ham served with rice, lumpia, poke, taro rolls, kālua pig, laulau, or poi. Pumpkin crunch cake and pumpkin haupia pie are among the desserts you may see.

Is Makahiki the Same as Thanksgiving?

No. Makahiki is a distinct Hawaiian season honoring Lono, with its own ceremonies, games, and cultural practices. It predates Thanksgiving in the islands and is still observed today.

Are Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving in Hawaii?

Some restaurants offer holiday service, while others close or change their hours. Confirm directly and make a reservation if the restaurant accepts them. Takeout meals may require advance ordering.

Make Thanksgiving in Hawaii Your Own

A Thanksgiving visit can include a familiar turkey dinner, a table of local favorites, or a little of both. Learning about the foods and traditions around you adds meaning to the meal, while a flexible itinerary leaves time for the people you’re sharing it with.

At This Week Hawaii, we help visitors find places to eat, activities to enjoy, and opportunities to get to know the islands. Explore our Hawaii travel guides to plan the rest of your holiday stay.