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Luau Party

Aloha, party people--hele mei hoohiwahiwa!

Luau Party Must-Haves

Leis: fake is fun, or splurge on the real things.
Pineapples & coconuts: double as food & decor!
Macadamia nuts: eat 'em or bake into cookies.
Tiki torches: best after sundown.
Grass skirts: for guests or tables or both!

Hula Tunes

Hawaii Five-O The Ventures
The Hukilau Song Don Ho
Somewhere Over the Rainbow Facing Future
Can't Help Falling in Love With You Elvis Presley
Surfin' Luau Annette Funicello
Luau Lei The Surfers
Blue Hawaii Elvis Presley
Aloha Hula Hits Unlimited
To You, Sweetheart, Aloha The Waikikis
Beach in Hawaii Ziggy Marley

How to Talk Like a Local

Ae: yes
Hoapili: close friend
Ho`olaule`a: celebration
ho`okipa: hospitality
Honi: kiss
inu: drink
Ku`uipo: sweetheart
lama pa'ipa'i: cocktail
lolo: crazy
Mai e `ai: come and eat
`ono: delicious

And some of these phrases may come in handy:

Hele mei hoohiwahiwa: Come celebrate.
`O wai kou inoa?: What is your name?
Aloha Au Ia 'Oe: I love you.
A hui hou kakou: Until we meet again.
Pomaika`i: Good luck.
Mahalo: Thank you.

Break out the leis and grass skirts because it's hula time! (Well, maybe after a couple of mai tais.)

The Menu

Drinks:

Appetizers:

Salads: (gotta have macaroni salad in Hawaii!)

Main Dishes:

Desserts:

Party Tips

Hawaiian Style

The dress code is island gear: Hawaiian printed shirts, board shorts, a mu'umu'u, or a grass skirt--anything that says "hang loose" is sure to be stylin'.
Greet guests with leis or single, short-stemmed flowers for accessorizing--women can put their flower behind one ear (for ladies lookin' for love, it goes behind their right ear, if they are taken, behind the left) and men can plant them in their shirt pockets.

Fun and Games

Coconut races. With a coconut between their knees, see which guest can get from point A to point B the quickest. Ready? Set? Go!
Hula contest. Hula hoop, that is. Prizes for the longest hula run, and most creative hula hooping. (Who can go from their neck to their wrist without dropping it?).
Lei horseshoes. It's like horseshoes, except with leis--pound a couple of wood stakes in the ground and take aim. Or better yet, use people as the target--see who can get the most leis around one person's neck.

Start planning your luau!

Get tasty Hawaiian recipes.
Check out Party Planning 101.
Find tips for cooking for a crowd.
See video recipes and party tips.

Comments

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april_wendall

Jun. 3, 2010 2:23 pm

This is awesome! Thank you. My fiancee and I are planning a hawaii inspired wedding for June 19, and these tips are wonderful!

Liz

Jun. 8, 2010 11:42 am

These are great ideas! I am having a laua party for my husband on his birthday.

erica

Jul. 7, 2010 12:07 pm

these tips were very helpful!! im planning a hawaiin inspired party for my birthday!

kim

Feb. 2, 2011 1:52 pm

im plaing a hawian dinner and just love the ideas here

Rachel

Jun. 11, 2011 9:34 am

These are great ideas My daughter wants a luau for her birthday.

Sandy

Jun. 13, 2011 8:52 am

Thank you for the great ideas, planning my sisters 50th birthday party. We are using some of your recipes as well as party ideas. Thanks again

SingnDance

May 9, 2012 10:32 am

Thanks for some great ideas. We have a 20th birthday 'luau' coming up next weekend. Some other items to consider is flowered tablecloths and brightly colored patio lanterns.

barbieJ

Jun. 25, 2012 3:23 am

I tryed the kalua pig it was melt in the mouth trying the coconut and chocolate pie next but in need of more finger food for my ann summers laua party any suggestions greatfully received :-)

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