As we bid the decade farewell, there's one last thing on our minds: celebrating on New Year's Eve.
Whether you welcome the New Year with a bang, whether it comes on the heels of a hangover, or whether you just like to take it easy with good food and family time, one thing is for sure: If you live Hawai'i, you'll be wide awake at midnight on Dec. 31.
Here's our guide to the best parties, biggest concerts and most spectacular fireworks shows. All events are happening New Year's Eve.

NEW YEAR'S EVE CELEBRATION

As always, Aloha Tower Marketplace transforms into a hub of New Year's Eve activity with live entertainment, dining specials and one of the most spectacular fireworks shows around. Best of all: It's free.

The party starts at 7 p.m. in the center atrium, with strolling entertainers, balloon animals, face painting and free door prizes. The fireworks show runs 15 minutes.

7 p.m., Aloha Tower Marketplace; 566-2337

WAIKÍKÍ BEACH FIREWORKS

These are the fireworks that can be seen from just about anywhere on the island. They start five minutes before midnight with one pop per minute, then explode at midnight into a 15-minute-long extravaganza of sound and light.

If you're planning to see the show from any part of Waikíkí Beach (and expect to find parking), our best advice: get there early ... really early.

People will begin laying out picnic mats and pitching tents the morning of Dec. 31, and the crowds will just keep coming throughout the day.

STAR OF HONOLULU

Watch the big Waikíkí fireworks show from aboard the Star of Honolulu, with cruise packages for dinner, cocktails and entertainment available.

$70-$240; 983-7827; www.starofhonolulu.com

WET 'N' WILD HAWAII

Wet 'n' Wild waterpark in Kapolei is getting a jump- start on the festivities with an early fireworks show. Bring the keiki for the big show, then have them tucked in bed before the midnight madness. Get there even earlier and spend the daylight hours enjoying live entertainment, games and prizes.

6 p.m., Wet 'n' Wild; $19.99 with a donation of used clothing to Big Brothers Big Sisters; 674-9283

SHOOTING YOUR OWN FIREWORKS

Fireworks go on sale on Oahu starting tomorrow, but you need a permit to light firecrackers on New Year's Eve. The $25 permit, available at any satellite city hall, allows those 18 and older to purchase up to 5,000 individual firecrackers. (You don't need a permit to buy fountains, sparklers or other novelty fireworks.)

Remember, you're only allowed to pop those firecrackers from 9 p.m. on New Year's Eve to 1 a.m. the next day.

ON STAGE

VILLAGE PEOPLE

It would be awesome if everyone in the audience came dressed as their favorite village person. Let's do it!

9 p.m., Sheraton Waikiki's Hawaii Ballroom; $25-$150 for the concert, $255-$295 for dinner and a show; call 921-4600 to reserve the dinner and concert package; tickets for concert only can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com

THE STYLISTICS

Who doesn't want a group of smooth-voiced men promising to make you feel brand-new just in time for the new year?

9:30 p.m., Hilton Hawaiian Village Coral Ballroom; $49; 800-745-3000; www.ticketmaster.com

'STOMP'

Escape the madness of the streets and take in the controlled chaos of the percussive geniuses who make up "Stomp."

For the New Year's Eve and New Year's Day shows, ticket prices are way reduced. Bonus!

8 p.m., Hawaii Theatre; $20-$40 (discounted price available on Dec. 25, 27, 31, Jan. 1); 528-0506

THE MISFITS

The founding fathers (or rather, descendants thereof — the only remaining original member of the band is bassist Jerry Only) of horror punk get their freak on.

8 p.m., Pipeline Café; $25 general, $75 VIP; 593-9603; www.groovetickets.com

IN THE CLUBS

F & M'S WHITE PARTY

The rules are simple: Wear all white, party all night. And by "all white," we mean it. Color-wearing renegades will be shown the door.

8 p.m., Apartm3nt in Century Center; free before 9 p.m., $10 after; 955-9300

New Year's Dance Party at the Moana Surfrider

Take the party outdoors to the Banyan Courtyard where the view of the Waikíkí fireworks make the perfect backdrop for a NYE bash.

8:30 p.m., Westin Moana Surfrider Beach Bar; $35 adults, $20 children ages 5-12; 921-4600

THE COUNTDOWN

Count down in style at Level 4's swanky black-and-white ball.

9 p.m., Level 4 at the Royal Hawaiian Center; 926-4441

HULA'S NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY

There ain't no party like a Hula's party 'cause a Hula's party don't quit. Seriously.

9 p.m., Hula's Bar & Lei Stand; 923-0669

PERFECT 10

Everyone's a perfect 10 after enough champagne — and there will be plenty of the bubbly stuff, plus food to match, at this party.

7 p.m., Pearl Ultralounge at Ala Moana Center; $25 cover; 944-8000

NYE 2010 CIRCUS

It's a disco circus on the rooftops of Chinatown.

8 p.m., thirtyninehotel; $20 cover; 599-2952

COUNTDOWN 2010 AT KA RESTAURANT & LOUNGE

Honolulu's newest night spot celebrates with a balloon drop and champagne. You also get a view of the Waikíkí fireworks show.

10 p.m., Ka Restaurant & Lounge at Ward Centre; 593-7885

NEW YEAR'S EVE TWENTY TEN

Twenty bucks gets you a champagne toast, party favors and balloon drop.

8 p.m., Oceans 808 at Restaurant Row; $20 cover; 587-5838

OCEANFRONT STUDIO 54

The only thing missing from the notorious Studio 54 (besides scruples and sobriety)? The ocean, of course. At this two-venue party, it's 54-style glam plus a million-dollar ocean view.

9 p.m., RumFire and The Edge of Waikiki at the Sheraton Waikiki; $35 presale, $45 door; 922-4422

SOHO'S NEW YEAR'S EVE RAGEFACE FOAM PARTY

And you thought foam parties went out four New Year's Eves ago. Silly you.

8 p.m., SoHo Mixed Media Bar; free before 10 p.m., $5 cover after; 688-8813

EAT OUT

These restaurants will offer special New Year's Eve fare at special prices.

ALAN WONG'S RESTAURANT

4:30-10 p.m., 1857 S. King St.; $105; 949-2526.

CHAI'S ISLAND BISTRO

4-10 p.m., Aloha Tower Marketplace; $60-$80; 585-0011.

AZURE

5:30-9 p.m., Royal Hawaiian Hotel; $150; 923-7311.

NOBU WAIKIKI

5:30-11 p.m., 2233 Helumoa Road; $150; 237-6999.

WOLFGANG'S STEAKHOUSE

Dinner until 1 a.m., Royal Hawaiian Center; $65; 922-3600.