New Year’s Eve is one of the most celebrated occasions in the world where almost everyone in the world gather together to countdown to a new year, as stated by CNN. For students who celebrated New Year’s Eve in Hawaii, the experience proved to be just as exciting as spending it back home.
Keziah Mendoza, a freshman accounting major from the Philippines, shared that she had to work until 10 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and so she did not feel much excitement at first. “But when I got off work, we went to the Polynesian Cultural Center for some activities and as we were walking back to Temple View Apartments, there was a sudden array of fireworks.
"It was so loud but everyone was happy and went out of the apartment and just watched the fireworks,” said Mendoza. According to Mendoza, there were fireworks everywhere including Iosepa Street, near the temple, Foodland and the PCC. “People were still up and awake at midnight and kids were playing outside the apartments. The PCC also had a dance so there was loud music for an hour or so,” Mendoza added.
Mendoza explained that she felt the thrill of New Year’s Eve, which was similar back home. “In the Philippines, the government does fireworks for all. So it was great that there were fireworks and places like the PCC were open to help people enjoy new years especially the people who were not really at home. It made us feel kind of at home,” said Mendoza.
Jared Wilson, a biomedical sophomore, from Washington, shared that his New Year’s experience was great because there were a lot of ‘explosions’ made by everyone. “Families were getting together and having a great time blowing stuff up which lasted for 30 minutes or more,” Wilson shared.
Wilson explained, “It was pretty intense. Every other house had explosions making it really loud. Also, I was trying to drive around and there were streets that were blocked out with tents and fireworks. It was pretty intense.”
Keanu Lee Chip Sao, a computer science sophomore from Tahiti, said he watched the fireworks at the temple area and sat right by the people who were doing the fireworks. “So we saw them launch and light them up, which was different from seeing them from far away.”
He explained that it was exciting to see the local community and several students come together to release the fireworks. “It was really loud because there were different types of fireworks and some brought the really big ones that were made for big events. It was awesome.”
He added that something new the community did this year was lighting Chinese lanterns, which made his New Years experience even more special. Many others enjoyed the Chinese lantern display near the temple including Beatrice Foong, a biochemistry senior from Malaysia.
“After working all day, it was nice to hang out with friends and go to the temple to look at the fireworks and lanterns. The lanterns were really really pretty. They should do that every year and even in school,” Foong added.