The best 2016 New Year’s Eve parties and events in Hawaii

Hawaii is a great place to ring in the New Year.

Hawaii is a great place to ring in the New Year, whether your taste runs toward big block parties, fireworks, live music, dancing or fine dining. Here are some of our recommendations. Please be aware that many of these events are limited in space and will sell out, so buying presale tickets is recommended.  

Oahu

Party of the Year at Aloha Tower
Honolulu’s biggest end-of-the-year bash, the Party of the Year is known for its seven stages of live music and DJs, a food truck arena and dazzling fireworks display over the historic Aloha Tower at Honolulu Harbor. Explore the various Aloha Tower venues and catch performances by national recording sensations Far East Movement (“Like a G6”) and TWRK (“Wheels in Motion”) at this off-the-hook party. A variety of food and refreshments will be available at each venue, and more than 25 Eat the Street food trucks and vendors will be gathered outside. 7 p.m. to 2 a.m., General Admission presale $45 (18+), $150 VIP (21+ only), Aloha Tower Marketplace, 1 Aloha Tower Dr., Honolulu. Tickets and more information at nyehawaii.com.

Interstellar NYE at RumFire
Get ready for an out-of-this-world experience at this classy party full of glitz and glamour, with DJs and live entertainment at the combined Sheraton venues of RumFire, Helumoa Pool and the Infinity Edge Pool. Great beachfront views of the midnight fireworks off Waikiki. 8:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m., $100 general admission tickets (21+); $50 if purchased after midnight on January 1, VIP packages and separate Champagne Room bookings available. Sheraton Waikiki, 2255 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu. Tickets and more information at rumfirewaikiki.com/en/interstellar.

Fire & Ice New Year’s Eve at Addiction Nightclub
Heat up your New Year’s Eve with what promises to be an insane dance party at The Modern’s Addiction Nightclub. The venue will also be hosting a party on the open-air Sunset Beach Pool Deck upstairs, with DJs, a full bar and a spectacular view of the fireworks. Sunset Beach party: 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., $100 general admission (21+, includes one drink and passed pupu, as well as a complimentary glass of champagne for the midnight toast), $80 for hotel guests. Addiction Nightclub party: 10 p.m. to 3 a.m., $40 presale, $60 at the door (21+). The Modern, 1775 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu. Tickets and more information at Eventbrite.com.

Tiki’s New Year’s Eve Dinner + Tiki Drop NYE Masquerade Ball
Celebrate New Year’s on one of the liveliest corners of Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki with a special four-course Surf & Turf prix fixe dinner, then stay for a masquerade-themed party with two live bands, a DJ, dancing and a fantastic view of the fireworks over the ocean at midnight. Dining reservation includes admission to the Tiki Drop party. Dinner: 4 to 10:30 p.m., $75. Tiki Drop party: 7 p.m. to 2 a.m., $10-$15 presale, $20 day of (21+), VIP packages available. Tiki’s Grill & Bar, Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel, 2570 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu. Call (808) 923-8454 for dinner reservations or for party only, visit eventbrite.com.

 

Hawaii Island

Make it Sparkle 2017
The Sheraton Kona Resort in Keauhou hosts a fun, festive night on the Hawaii Lawn featuring a special New Year’s Eve Dinner Luau Buffet, Hawaiian music and entertainment, a DJ, dancing and a midnight toast. Checkin starts at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m., dance party begins at 9 p.m. $150 for adults, children (ages 5 to 12) $92.50. After-party only: $75 for all ages. Sheraton Kona Resort, 78-128 Ehukai St., Kailua-Kona. Call (808) 326-4969 for reservations or visit http://eventsbyislandbreeze.com/make-it-sparkle.

New Year’s Eve Dinner & Party 
Celebrate at the Waikoloa Beach Marrott Resort & Spa with a dinner buffet at the Hawaii Calls Restaurant and Lounge featuring executive chef Jayson Kanekoa’s culinary creations and live action stations, then move up to the Paniolo Ocean Terrace for drink specials, party favors and a complimentary champagne toast. 5 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., $89 adults, $40 children, dinner buffet 5 to 9 p.m., after-party 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, 69-275 Waikoloa Beach Dr., Waikoloa Village. Call (808) 886-8111 for reservations.

New Year’s Eve Bohemian Beach Bash
Grab your beads and feathers, put your toes in the sand and enjoy a relaxed, romantic buffet dinner and a show on New Year’s Eve at the Fairmont Orchid. Preliminary activities include canoe rides and bohemian-style tattoo stations. After dinner, there will be DJs, dancing, fire pits and a sparkling wine toast at midnight. 7 p.m. to 12:15 a.m., $220 to $270 for 21+; $145 to $175 for under 21. Fairmont Orchid, 1 N. Kaniku Dr., Waimea. After-party only, after 9:30 p.m.: $100 all ages. Call (808) 326-4969 for reservations.

New Year’s Eve Dinner Buffet & Poolside Party
Celebrate under the stars at the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows with an extensive dinner buffet and seafood bar, then join the party poolside for live dance music by Full Circle, desserts, party favors and a fireworks show at midnight. 6:30 to 9 p.m. buffet, $125 for adults, $60 for children (5 to 12 years old). Party only: 9:30 p.m. to midnight, $60 for adults, $30 for teens 13-20, children 12 years and under free. Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows, 68-1400 Mauna Lani Dr., Waimea. Call (808) 881-7911 for reservations or visit maunalani.com.

 

Maui

New Year’s Eve Maui Foodbank Benefit Concert with The Stars
If you don’t mind dropping the bucks, party with the stars at this exclusive New Yearʻs Eve benefit bash featuring big names like Steven Tyler, Alice Cooper, Michael McDonald, Pat Simmons, Dave Mason, Weird Al Yankovic, Willie K, Bob Rock, Lily Meola and more. Proceeds go to the Maui Food Bank and the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. The event also includes private rooftop viewing of the midnight fireworks, cocktails and pupu. Starts at 7 p.m., $600 per person. Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, 3700 Wailea Alanui Dr., Kihei. For tickets, email Whitney Maybee at nyemala2013@gmail.com.

New Year’s Eve at the Ritz-Carlton
This year the hotel is puttin’ on the Ritz with a number of fine dining and entertainment happenings for New Year’s: A four-course New Year’s Eve Dinner with live entertainment at The Banyan Tree, a New Year’s Eve Buffet Dinner with island-inspired dishes and chef stations at The Terrace from 6 to 10 p.m., or the New Year’s Eve Countdown Party at the famous Anuenue Room, with an ice bar, cocktail lounge, dessert buffet, photo booth and live music by Eric Gilliom. Dinner at The Banyan Tree: Two seatings: 5:30 and 8:30 p.m., $210 per person, optional wine or champagne pairing extra, call (808) 665-7089 for reservations. Buffet dinner at The Terrace: 6 to 10 p.m., $138 adults, $48 children, call (808) 665-7089 for reservations. Countdown Party: 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., $150 general admission, $100 per hotel guest, $75 if dining at the hotel, VIP packages available. Ritz-Carlton Resort, 1 Ritz Carlton Dr., Lahaina. Call (808) 665-7089 for reservations. ritzcarlton.com.

New Year’s Eve at the Hawaiian Room with Amy Hanaialii
Ring in the New Year with Hawaii’s top-selling female vocalist of all time, Amy Hanaialii. Enjoy her amazing renditions of classics as she takes you on a journey back in time, from 1930s Waikiki and 1940s New York City to the glamour of 1950s Las Vegas and Hollywood. The show is followed by an after-party and New Year’s toast. 7:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., $250 general, $300 VIP. Grand Wailea Resort, 3850 Wailea Alanui Dr., Kihei. Call (808) 793-2488 for reservations or visit hawaiianroomshow.com.

 

Kauai

Poipu Beach Fireworks Display
Grab your beach towels, blankets and lawn chairs for this huge annual fireworks display, with a free family-friendly movie, “The BFG,” on a big outdoor screen, food trucks and live entertainment starting at 6 p.m. Please be aware that this is an earlier event, with fireworks launched at 8:15 p.m. sharp. 6 to 8:30 p.m., free, all ages. Poipu Beach, Koloa. More information at poipubeach.org.