- - Basic Crepes Discover how easy it is to make five-star crepes. »
- - Memorial Day Recipes Ribs, burgers, and pie to start summer right. »
- - Low-Fat Faves Eat well, feel great. »
- - Menu Planner A year's worth of menus costs less than one take-out dinner. »

Add a Comment

Luau Party

Aloha, party people--hele mei hoohiwahiwa!

Related Recipe Collection

Hawaiian Recipes

Hula Tunes

These songs will get your hips rolling and arms swaying to the hula beat:

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

Also, download some surf sounds so when you've exhausted your tropical tunes, guests can close their eyes and imagine that the beach is just around the corner. That's right--it's time to retire the surfboards and chilax. (Try 3D Ambient Sleep Atmospheres or Sleep: Ambient Sleep Therapy 1)

Wish You Were Here

Yes, we would all prefer to be in Hawaii, but until then, feel free to live vicariously through these movies set in tropical paradise:

Blue Crush
Blue Hawaii
50 First Dates
Gidget Goes Hawaiian
Big Bounce

Hawaiian, We Said

Sound like an island native by inserting some Hawaiian words into the evening's conversations:

Ae: yes
`A`ala: smell good
`Aka`aka: laugh
Hoapili: close friend
Ho`olaule`a: celebration
ho`okipa: hospitality
Honi: kiss
inu: drink
kahakai: beach
Ku`uipo: sweetheart
lama pa'ipa'i: cocktail
lolo: crazy
Mai e `ai: come and eat
napo'o 'ana o ka la: sunset
nohea: handsome, loveliness
`ono: delicious

And some of these phrases may come in handy, depending on what you’re going for:

Hele mei hoohiwahiwa: Come celebrate.
`O wai kou inoa?: What is your name?
Eia Au, Eia 'Oe: Here I am, here you are.
E Kipa Mai: Come to me.
Aloha Au Ia 'Oe: I love you.
A hui hou kakou: Until we meet again.
Pomaika`i: Good luck.
Mahalo: Thank you.
Mahalo nui loa na ho'olaule'a me la kaua: Thank you for celebrating with us.

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

The Menu

It's all about the Hawaiian fare for this beachy shindig.

Drinks:

Appetizers:

Salads:

Main Dishes:

Desserts:

Party Tips

Hawaiian Style

Encourage guests to wear their most relaxing island gear whether it’s a Hawaiian printed shirt, board shorts, a mu'umu'u, or a grass skirt--anything that says "hang loose" is sure to be stylin'.
You're on island time so plan to start the party, ya know, whenever…say, evening-ish? The most important thing is that guests leave their watches (and mainland worries) at the door.
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.

Luau Party Essentials

Leis--order real ones online, or just pick up some fake ones at a party/costume store.
Pineapples and coconuts--for decoration, eating, or both!
Macadamia nuts--these are pricy, so just eat 'em! Or bake them into some delicious cookies.
Bamboo placemats--for tables…or for hats after everyone's had a couple tropical cocktails.
Tiki torches--best after the summer sun has gone down.
Grass skirts--people can wear them, or grass skirts dress up tables in the most festive way.

Plan the Perfect Party

Comments

Add a comment

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

Deb302

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.

Add a comment

Recipe Box

Menus

Shopping Lists

See something worth saving?
Register now to save all your favorites in your Recipe Box.