A Hawaiian party can be laid back fun.
Aloha, surfer dudes and wahines. Bring the island spirit to your party and create a hula heaven. You don't have to be in Hawaii to throw a Hawaiian theme party. Plan a Hawaiian party no matter where you're from. Every detail counts when transforming your place into an island paradise. Does this Spark an idea?
Invitation
Have a festive island-inspired invitation. The invitation sets the tone for the entire event, so give it some island flavor. For an easy invite, order postcards with a Hawaiian photo. A creative option is to send a coconut postcard (see Resources).
Establish a dress code in your invitation. If you're throwing a Hawaiian-theme party, a major impact on your atmosphere is how your guests show up. Encourage them to wear Hawaiian-inspired clothing, anything from hula dance costumes to tourist attire.
Decor
Even if people do not show up in costume, you can still "lei" them upon arrival. Leis or flowers are a key staple for any Hawaiian-themed event. Or get individual flowers and pin them on guests, either on men's shirts or in women's hair. Utilize fake tropical flowers, such as the island's hibiscus and plumeria flowers, especially if authentic Hawaiian imported flowers are beyond your budget.
Use these exotic flowers in your centerpieces by placing them in palm or bamboo thatch boxes. Hang tropical posters on walls and use a bamboo frame for an added touch. Throw seashells on tables, near the center. For tableware, include coconut cups, pineapple plates and wooden banana leaf plates. If the event is outdoors, hang multicolored lantern lights for a festive island feel. Light tiki torches for ambiance. Decorate with bowls filled with river rock and tea lights. Play Hawaiian music, such as surfer music or Elvis' "Blue Hawaii."
Food
Hawaii is a mixture of various cultures. Feature their global cuisine at your event. Serve pineapple and tropical fruit salad. Include chopped macadamia nuts, either served alone as a snack or incorporated into your recipes. Hawaii has everything from sushi, kalbi (Korean-style barbecue), Ahi poke (raw fish and seaweed treat), lumpia (Filipino-style egg rolls), fried chicken and beef or chicken teriyaki.
If you want an authentic Hawaiian luau, purchase a full pig to roast at your event. Have white rice to balance dishes. Dessert can be frozen tropical juice pops. For beverages, have Hawaiian lemonade. For alcoholic drinks, serve mai tais with umbrella straws.
Activities
Have fun hula dancing. Provide grass skirts. If you like, go a step further and invite a hula dance instructor. Another fun game is limbo with a bamboo stick or a hula hoop contest.
Tags: authentic Hawaiian, Hawaiian party, hula dance, your event