On New Year’s Eve on O’hau, as a frequent visitor I find a mix of traditions. There are various symbols, foods (particularly a soup called Ozoni) to bring good luck in the new year. There are, of course, large gatherings of friends and relatives.

And the fireworks. I can’t overlook the ubiquitous fireworks lighting up the sky with gatherings of friends celebrating all over Hawaii. Generally this is a festive end to the year. Although this year, one of the many celebrations sadly ended in tragedy.

If you plan to drive here after 10:00 p.m. New Year’s Eve, you will be looking at a fog of smoke through your windshield. To avoid that problem, this year we left a party early. I opted to watch fireworks going off from our driveway and comforted the confused four-legged creatures who live here. I share this moment at midnight with you. Please opt out if you prefer to avoid loud noises or explosions.

Pre-dawn, the midnight pops, booms and whistles of 2024 are replaced by the 2025 four a.m. crows of roosters, the sound bouncing around the valleys of the island.

Whether your new year celebration was serene, boisterous, or sad, full of remembrances of beautiful moments in 2024 or happily moving ahead to thoughts of what is to come in 2025, I’m wishing us all a healthy, happy and active 2025.