Hawaiian Theme Luau Party

The Hawaiian word “luau” (LOO-ow) is a traditional Hawaiian feast that often includes Hawaiian music, singing, and dancing. Most people probably think of a luau as a huge commercial production party at a resort hotel, complete with a roasted pig in the ground, fire dancing, live Hawaiian music, and more. But a luau can simply be a party in your backyard (or even in your home). What’s important is that you create a happy, festive, and relaxed tropical atmosphere. We’ll provide you all you need to know to throw your very own Hawaiian luau for your family and friends, anytime, anywhere!

LUAU BASICS

Hosting your luau basically comes down to three simple things: attire, atmosphere, and food. The easiest way to add visual pizzazz to your party is by having everyone wear a Hawaiian shirt or dress. Your party will be a visual explosion of tropical colors! You can enhance the tropical feel by adding a few decorations such as grass table skirts, colorful napkins, props, and wall décor. But ultimately the main attraction of a luau is the food. If you do even a decent job of hitting all three of these points, your luau will have a great time and you’ll be itching to throw another one and take it to the next level!

LUAU ATTIRE

Hawaiian Shirts & Dresses

Nothing livens up a luau visually more than seeing all your guests in colorful Hawaiian shirts and dresses. Encourage your guests to wear the favorite Hawaiian dress or shirt. With the internet, buying Hawaiian attire has never been easier!

Wear a Lei
In Hawaii, the guest of honor often wears a lei at parties or events. If many
people are wearing leis, then the guest of honor will usually wear a fancier
lei. In Hawaii, the act of giving a lei can express love, appreciation, and
respect. When visitors come to Hawaii, they are often greeted by a hula girl
giving a lei. When your guests arrive, you (or a hula girl) can do the same.

Wear a Flower

If you have fresh flowers, have your guests wear them in their hair behind their ear. Traditionally, if you are single, you should wear the flower behind your right ear. If you are taken, then you should wear it behind your left ear.

LUAU ATMOSPHERE

Decorate Your Tables

Adding tropical flare to a table can be as simple as placing a combination of pineapples, figurines, flowers (real for fake), ti leaves, and bamboo or coconut candles. You can also use Hawaiian design table covers or use grass skirts to go around the table.

Use Tropical Props

Tiki torches are a great way to give your luau party a very tropical look, especially in the evening if the torches are lit. You can even use the tiki torches to burn citronella to keep mosquitos away at night. Tiki torches are usually available at Home Depot, Wal-Mart, and other major stores. Add other decorations and props such as inflatable palm trees, wooden signs, pictures of Hawaii, etc.

Use Tropical Cups, Plates & Napkins

Rather than using plain paper plates, cups and napkins, try using tropical designs. Use colorful plastic or paper cups for drinks. Put macadamia nuts, candies, chips, or other snacks in wooden bowls for your guests to enjoy.

Decorate with Flowers

Tropical flowers add a nice touch to any Hawaiian party. Orchids are good because they are non-fragrant and less susceptible to heat than fragrant flowers. You can mix orchids and fragrant blooms to create a visually stunning area complete with the floral aroma of a real luau.

Play Hawaiian Music

Enhance your Hawaiian atmosphere by playing a Hawaiian music CD. These are easily orderable at places like Amazon.com. If you are hardcore, you can even hire a live Hawaiian band if there are any in your area.

LUAU FOODS

Kalua Pig

If you make only one dish for your luau, this is it. At a traditional luau, the entire pig is cooked in an underground stone oven for hours. But modern kalua pig could be made with pork but, liquid smoke, and salt right in the comforts of your own kitchen. (see recipe)

Poi

You have undoubtedly heard of a dish served at a luau called poi (poy). Poi is made from cooked taro root pounded and thinned with water into a sticky paste. By itself, poi is quite bland, like rice or potato (though it tastes like neither). People often eat it with other dishes such as kalua pig or lomi lomi salmon. Poi is sold ready-made in most supermarkets in Hawaii. It is also available in powdered form that just requires water.

Poke

The Hawaiians ate raw fish, seasoned with salt, seaweed, and kukui nuts. Modern poke (poh-keh) is typically made of raw cubes of ahi (tuna) seasoned with combinations of salt, seaweed, soy sauce, sesame oil, kukui nut, onions, and more. Poke can also be made with other sea creatures such as salmon, swordfish, octopus, and more.

Lomi Lomi Salmon

“Lomi” literally means to mash. Lomilomi salmon consists of salted salmon, raw tomatos, green onions all mashed together by hand. You don’t have to use your hands if you don’t want to, but that’s how it is traditionally made. (see recipe)

Lau lau

This is one of the most popular and intricate of luau foods. A combination of beef, pork, fish, and taro chunks are wrapped in ti leaves and banana leaves, then steamed until the ti leaves become super soft.

Haupia

This is a coconut pudding that is made with coconut milk, sugar, and starch. Its consistency can vary, but usually is made to the firmness of tofu. There are powdered haupia mix available that requires just water.

Mahi Mahi or Other Fish

One would expect some sort of fish dish at a luau since Hawaii is in the middle of the ocean. Try baking or frying breaded mahi mahi filets and serving it with lemon an tartar sauce. Or bake tuna filets covered with a thin layer of mayonnaise and furikake (a seaweed seasoning usually used on rice). Previously frozen fish filets are particularly inexpensive.

Tropical Drinks

Making tropical drinks is easy. All you need is a little pre-made mai tai mix from your local supermarket, small ice, rum, and a blender. Mix in a dash of fruit punch or punch syrup for tropical color. For extra flare, add slices of pineapple and a little drink umbrella.

A FEW MORE PARTY TIPS

Hawaiian Name Tags

Use name tags with your guests’ Hawaiian names to add a nice island touch to your party. You can find countless Hawaiian name and language translation sites on the web.

Take Pictures

Help you guests relive the fun moments of you party by taking pictures throughout the party and sharing them afterwards. You’ll be amazed at how tropical your party will look in photos after the fact.

Hawaiian Invitations

Create Hawaiian themed invitations to invite your guests to your luau using your home computer and printer.

FINAL THOUGHTS

It is completely up to you how much you want to go for it in throwing your party. To ease into it, you could simply have a pizza party with everyone wearing Hawaiian attire. On the other end of the scale, if you really want to all out, you could implement everything in this guide and throw in some hula performances, live music, and anything you can imagine. This planner is merely a guide to give you ideas to get started. The ultimate success of the party is really all about having fun and creating memories.