How to Organize a Luau
Bring a bit of the tropics to your own backyard by hosting a luau. The word "luau" means "feast" in Hawaiian and is a great way to bring family and friends of all ages together for a fun and relaxing time. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Imagination
- A backyard
- A kitchen for food prep
- Handmade or store-bought invitations
- Festive island decorations
- Colorful dishes, glasses, napkins
- Yummy island-inspired food
- Tropical drinks and punch
- Punch bowl
- Festive flowers
- Hawaiian music
- CD player
- Barbecue (optional)
- Tiki torches (optional)
- Paper lanterns (optional)
- Fish net (optional)
Instructions
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Check the weather in advance! A luau is really meant to be enjoyed outdoors, especially if you have a large backyard and a pool. Even a smaller yard and a deck can accommodate a nice-sized gathering. And if the skies do threaten a splash of rain at the last minute, most guests won't mind congregating under patio umbrellas or stepping indoors until it stops.
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Make or buy colorful invitations that feature tropical themes like fish, beachballs, palm trees, bird of paradise, etc. If you have been to the islands before, dig through your old vacation photographs; pick out a favorite one, have copies made and glue them to the front of colorful card stock. The latter (plus matching envelopes) can be purchased at stationery or craft stores or online distributors such as Paper Source.
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Tell your guests to dress "aloha style" for the party. This means aloha shirts, shorts, tank tops, muumuus, floral skirts, sandals and (if the party is held during the day) straw hats to protect against the sun. If there's going to be swimming, remind them to bring their bathing suits, too.
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Decide on a menu. One of the easiest things to do for a backyard luau is to concentrate on foods that can be eaten with the fingers. Have a variety of hot and cold appetizers, fresh fruits like pineapple chunks, mango, bananas and kiwi, and Hawaiian bread (available at most grocery stores) so guests can make their own sandwiches. Online luau Websites such as those listed below can direct you to simple recipes for Hawaiian favorites such as teriyaki chicken, lomi salmon, potstickers, barbeque pork, and sweet-and-sour spareribs.
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Decide on drinks. If one of your guests has experience playing bartender, recruit her to make the Mai Tais, Blue Hawaiians, pina coladas and rum drinks we so associate with Hawaii. You should also plan to have a large supply of nonalcoholic fruit punch on hand; serve this in a punch bowl and float slices of orange and pineapple on top. And, of course, have Kona coffee available for the end of the luau.
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Purchase silk or plastic flowers to use as colorful centerpieces on the tables. Artificial flowers can be bought at most craft and party supply shops. These suppliers may also carry silk or plastic Hawaiian leis; purchase enough of these so that each guest can be greeted upon arrival and have one placed around the neck.
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Buy or download a variety of Hawaiian music (including the Beach Boys and Elvis!) to set the mood. Another good choice is to buy or download sounds of nature such as crashing waves, exotic birds, or rainfall.
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Drape fish net along the fence or to cover dull exterior walls. Fill them with large color cut-outs of tropical fish. If you can find or borrow wooden tiki masks to hang on the walls, these make an authentic touch, too.
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Hang colorful paper lanterns from the trees. Borrow a surfboard and lean it up against the fence.
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Buy a bunch of disposable cameras and put them out on the tables. Tell your guests to help themselves to snapping candid shots of one another.
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Tips & Warnings
Craft stores will also carry stickers and dimensional art that you can affix to your homemade invitations.
Supplement your artifical flower displays with coconuts, raffia, sea shells and palm fronds.
Liquor stores will carry paper umbrellas, funky straws, and decorative plastic spears to use with exotic drinks. They are also likely to carry those tall plastic glasses that look like tikis. Since they're relatively expensive, you can afford to give each of your guests a glass to take home as a memento of the party.
If you're going to use tiki torches for atmosphere, just make sure your luau doesn't turn into an inferno. Keep the flames away from tree branches, umbrellas, and eaves and make sure they are securely anchored so that they won't fall over if someone accidentally hits them. Furthermore, you never want to leave the torches unattended.
Hang bug-zappers in the trees or use citronella candles on the tables to discourage flying insects from helping themselves to your tropical spread.
Resources
- Photo Credit Photo by Christina Hamlett
