How to Throw a Luau

Bring a taste of the islands to your backyard by throwing your own luau. It's not as difficult as you might think.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Plastic Flatware
• Citronella Candles
• Luau Supplies
• Tiki Lamps
• Paper Plates
• Hawaiian Music
• Folding Tables
• Paper plates

1. Hold your luau outdoors.

2. Set up a few tiki lamps and citronella candles around your yard to brighten your event and ward off insects.

3. Play Hawaiian music on your stereo to set the mood.

4. Greet your guests with shell or flower leis. Shell and synthetic flower leis are inexpensive and can be purchased at most party supply stores. Though a bit costlier, real flower leis are quite simple to make and add elegance as well as authenticity to your luau.

5. Serve a traditional luau menu, including kalua pig, chicken long rice, lomi lomi salmon and haupia. (See Related eHows for recipes.) Try your hand at making poi, or pounded taro root, if you want to be adventurous.

6. Make tropical drinks, such as mai tais, piña coladas and daiquiris. Have pineapple juice on hand for a nonalcoholic alternative.

7. Set up a single large table for your entrées, and decorate it with centerpieces of coconuts and tropical flowers. Serve the entrées buffet-style, not in courses.

8. Use paper plates and plastic flatware, and encourage your guests to eat with their hands. Luaus are incredibly casual affairs.

9. Place large grass mats on the ground and encourage your guests to sit on them.

Tips & Warnings

• Let your guests know well in advance that your party is a luau so that they may dress appropriately in grass skirts or Hawaiian shirts.

• You can find all the necessary basics in a luau kit, which provides everything you need for a traditional luau - from decorations to hula skirts to music.