The Riordan family of Canton, Mass., thought they had seen it all in their first visit to Hawai'i. They swam with dolphins, checked out the Banzai Pipeline, visited Pearl Harbor, even climbed Diamond Head.

But, like many visitors before them, they learned yesterday no Christmas vacation in paradise is complete without a visit from Santa.

For the 25th consecutive year, the Jolly One, clad in traditional Christmas coat and surf shorts, made a special stop at the Halekulani Hotel aboard an outrigger canoe.

Hundreds were on hand to greet Santa — known the rest of the year as Gene DiCicco of Kona — as he and his crew touched sand on the beach behind the hotel late yesterday afternoon.

"It was awesome," said Kathy Riordan, 43. "We aren't used to seeing that."

Riordan, husband Tim and their daughters Emily and Hannah were amid a throng of camera-wielding visitors who crowded around Santa as he was serenaded by a 102-strong contingent of young singers and musicians from the Nu'uanu YWCA.

Mary DiCicco, who played Merri Claus yesterday, said her husband starts growing his yank-proof white beard each June.

"It's gone tomorrow," she said, laughing. "So if kids don't get what they want, they won't recognize him."

Halekulani's chief operating officer Peter Shaindlin said the annual visit from Santa is a perennial highlight for many returning visitors.

"Spending Christmas on Waikíkí Beach is everybody's dream," he said. "But seeing Santa here takes it to another level. It's the icing on the cake."