Well a great and easy thing to do is plan a Kids Luau Party! Not only is this fun for the kids but its perfect for the parents too. I don’t know about you but 1 more Spiderman party or Hanna Montana theme and I will likely jump out the top floor window! This way, you are giving your child and all the guests a great theme without doing the same kid themes over and over. Spare yourself and the other parents the suffering!

On top of having a non-typical theme for a kid’s party, it opens things up for easy decorations and loads of activities. The obvious things come to mind straight away. Having a limbo game just seems essential, kids will love it, parents will have fun being goofy and watching others do so, its fun all around. Adding some simple but atmosphere producing luau music is also something you should do, its great and CDs for this stuff is super cheap. Decorations for the party can be easily found, anything with a tropical Hawaiian theme is all you need. Grab some fake palm trees, put out some Tiki torches. Look at your local party store for other simple but fun additions.

If you really want to go all out for the kids, you can pass out leis and grass skirts to all of them and even the adults. It might be a bit corny but no matter what people will be having fun. That’s what’s important. The really great thing is all of this can be accomplished without breaking the bank and the decorations can be easily found. No worries about iron man stuff being sold out yet again.

At the end of the day, besides the cake, people will be looking towards what the food is. Now this all depends on if you want to stick to theme, how much you really want to do, and if you want a lot of it. You can easily stick to traditional barbecue and add a few things to keep it within theme. Most people immediately worry that kids aren’t going to want anything “exotic” but it doesn’t have to be to keep the theme rolling. Simple things like cutting up hot dogs and making a shish-kabob type meal out of them with simple added things that kids love like pineapple or cherry tomatoes. Just keep it simple for the kids and you will survive!

When you first arrive at the Luau you will immediately be accommodated with complimentary refreshments of fruit punch of a mai tei and of course the traditional lei. You then get your chance to have photos taken with one of the entertainers to commemorate the night. You then get seated and are allowed to either relax or check out some of the entertainment that will go on before the actual dinner.

A great thing about the Paradise Cove Luau is they have activities going on a full two hours before the actually dinner itself. So you can get there early and enjoy your night with various things to do before the luau. A few examples of these activities are some Hawaiian Arts and Crafts, guests can learn to make a flower lei or even weave a temporary Hawaiian tattoo out of palm fronds. There are also places to watch and learn spear throwing and ulu maiki which is rolling stone disks. If you want, you can also enjoy a nice outing in one of their outrigger canoes.

There is also the pre-dinner event of the Hukilau, Royal Court Procession and the Imu Ceremony. During the Hukilau, you will be able to see how the Hawaiians set out their nets and capture fish for their meals, a tradition going back hundreds of years. Next is the Imu Ceremony. During this you will be treated with Hawaiian music and dancing entertainment and the Royal Court Procession. Finally the main course is presented which will be the traditional Kalua Pig that is cooked in the imu which is an underground oven. Luckily, the Imu Amphitheatre has bleacher style seating so everyone is able to see the show without having to try and look over the next persons head.

Once everything is set, its time to eat! You are welcomed to the Luau Buffet with your choice of countless Hawaiian traditional foods to fill you up. Even with a large crowd, the line will move along fast and you don’t have to worry about dragging through a slow buffet to get your food.

During your meal you will be able to gaze at the ongoing festivities that the Paradise Cove Luau will present to you. You will get to watch and hear several different Polynesian cultures of music and dance and you will even be given the opportunity to join in the fun on-stage.

You will not be disappointed with the Paradise Cove Luau; it is one of if not the best Luaus available on the island. It doesn’t feel like something thrown together just to satisfy tourists, rather it is well thought out, planned, and executed by fantastic entertainers and staff who try to give you the time of your life.

The Island Breeze Luau has many layers of entertainment and excitement going on for anyone to enjoy. You will be brought into the Luau Ohana family with a fantastic shell lei and a picture taken with your greeter. There are some interesting and interactive ancient Polynesian arts and crafts demos for you to try, and you will have a chance to meet the performers who will be entertaining you later on stage. Enjoy the delicious food with a canoe filled with Mai Tais, fruit punch for the family and an open bar for.

At the Island Breeze Luau, you will have the privilege of witnessing the Royal Court Procession. Listen to the Court Chanter along with the Court Conch Herald as you watch the procession representing King Kamehameha and his retainers arriving in full traditional regalia in an outrigger canoe. You will watch and witness the uncovering of the Imu, this is the traditional Hawaiian underground oven. Taste the best treats Hawaii has to offer.

Top off the Island Breeze Luau with the Polynesian Revue. Watch the dances of war from the Fijian and the Maori dancers and their graceful gestures. Be apart of the revival of old Polynesian traditions and mythologies as they are brought to life. Don’t forget the Samoan Fire Knife dancers as you watch in awe of their skillful talents.

This famous production has been presented all over the world, sharing the culture and past of the Hawaiian people with the world. The Island Breeze Luau safeguards it heritage by dedicated participants who want to recreate the glory of their ancestors.

Do not forget to get your reservations for the event to ensure you and your family can be able to be apart of this wondrous event, don’t miss it while you are on vacation or you will miss out on something unique and special.

Find out all you need to know about being apart of this event at Island Breeze Luau

The next step would be looking into your Luau party Decorations and party supplies. Simple ideas are having balloons with Hawaiian themed pictures on it, hula girl image, or a lei. There are also inflatable palm trees if you lack the real ones. Placing them at the entrance will give your guests the immediate idea of how serious you are about your party. Also either real tiki torches or simple tiki lights are also a great addition to the atmosphere.

Depending on the occasion, a nice big banner is not that hard to come by. Having the name of the celebrated individual or the name of whatever the event is all about, if it’s just for fun, than any message will do. There is also the cheesy but always fun life-size cut out for folks to stand next to or behind for a funny gag photo.

For when your guests are entering, you can either have someone put a lei on everyone once they first enter. Or if you are short of helpers, having a big basket of them near the entrance with a sign to help themselves will also do. Greeting them yourself with the leis is a really nice way to get things started and will show your dedication, but the basket idea is ok too, if you are spread too thin they will understand!

Having some scene sets out in the background will be of use too. Having a tropical style backdrop with whatever you like, bamboo sets, jungle style, tiki poles, etc. Whatever your heart desires, it is probably out there.

Now you can go with any old Hawaiian themed gift, but why not get a little creative!  Things like seashells common to the islands or even a shell shaped keepsake box. The ideas are endless but all of them are as good as the next. Remember, you don’t need to spend a ton of money to make everyone happy, the more creative you are the better the reaction!

In my experience, you can always grab a few coconut shaped keepsakes, or some Hawaiian grass skirts and still be a hit. But what I also have noticed is that just keeping it in a tropical beach theme with a little thought will be a nice surprise.

Some example items would be

Mini Place Card holders of things like sailboats, miniature dech chairs, palm trees, a starfish or even little sandcastles are a great and inexpensive Hawaiian Party Favor.

Perhaps something edible, you can easily find a collection of chocolates in beach styled shapes that can come in a personalized box or a tag that has the party info on it.

If you feel like making your own, you can do something really simple such as having clear candle holders with seashells at the bottom or even colored sand of your own custom design.

If you really want people to take away something they could and would use after the party is long over. You could easily get some kind of sandals with a personalized message on them about the party or whatever you like. This would be a bit more expensive than any of the other simpler party favors but would definitely be something people could enjoy and even use during the party!

There are so many ideas out there for you to try out and find. Don’t think too hard and don’t go over budget just to please everyone, just be happy with what you choose and enjoy your party!

In their traditions, the lei’s were worn by ancient Hawaiians to help distinguish them from others, as sort of a way of beautifying themselves. The maile Lei was used in peace treaties between two chiefs of opposing tribes. The custom green vines were intertwined to represent the peace between them.

In the early 1900s there were the “Boat Days”, during these times lei vendors often amassed to the piers at the Aloha Tower to welcome the visitors to the island and also the locals who were returning. Its said that the visitors who were leaving would toss their leis into the sea in the hopes that they would someday return to the island.

Now the lei is seen as good luck and given to those who come to the island. It has become an extremely well known and popular greeting and has turned into a tourism experience.

Anyone is allowed to wear a Lei, it is welcome to all. But there are a few unspoken rules of lei etiquette. One is that for your first trip to Hawaii, you should not receive a Lei. They are more for those who are “returning” to the island. It’s a welcome back rather then a first time welcoming. Also, never refuse a lei as it is quite a compliment to receive one, and you never want to remove the lei in front of the one who gave it to you.

In Hawaii, giving a lei has become a part of many of the traditions and celebrations. Often on special occasions such as birthdays, weddings, or graduations, the person of celebration may receive many leis from everyone attending. So you may end up covered in lei!

Just remember Lei is a warm and welcoming tradition. Even today they do not think of it as a tourism gimmick but an honest welcoming and good fortune to the one who it is given.

Keeping a Tropical theme with tiki torches and bamboo styled elements, real or fake, will do wonders. Lots of colors are a defining point of a luau; yes even the Hawaiian shirts will finally fit in somewhere.

Raffia Table Skirt

This is a simple grass skirt that is made of natural grass and lines the table very nicely. It will cover all around a standard sized buffet table and has a nice flow to it like any grass skirt.

Tiki Torches

Nothing says a Luau like a walkway lined with Tiki Torches. There are some really nice and authentic bamboo style tiki torches out there that will really catch the mood for your guests. They are easily reusable.

Thatch Unbrella

This is a nice big table umbrella that is made from nylon grass and adds a nice flare to your Hawaiian environment. This will really make a statement that you mean business with this party!

Ukulele

Adds a fun factor like no other Luau party Item, this will entertain the kids and even adults as they try their hand at the art of the Ukulele. There are plenty of novelty style ukuleles available as to not break the bank when trying to have a single party.

Having the right music will really set the mood for everyone during every party of your party, from the limbo to the traditional luau food, if you are going that far you might as well keep things in theme and have the music

Hawaiian Luau Party

This is a CD containing some of the best vintage Hawaiian music. You will probably recognize a lot of the songs on here from every hawaiin themed party or moment in a movie. The happy themed and relaxing tones of these songs will keep your party moving and have everyone thinking they are sitting on a beach on the best vacation ever.

Drew’s Famous Hawaiian Luau Party

This CD is a compilation of all newly recorded and digitally mastered music featuring The Hit Crew. This is for someone not looking for the traditional sounds of a luau but still wanting to keep in the theme of things. The kids seem to really love these songs and are always a hit with them.

Island Party Jams

This is a great collection of more upbeat music rather than the mellow tunes of the usual luau party. IF you want to keep in theme but want things to be a bit livelier this is a great addition. You will have a great time and everyone will probably be asking where you got this music.

Now it does depend on how far you want to go with the party and where you are throwing it. Are you just having a nice quiet little party in your backyard and just want some nice key elements that will help transform your little patch of grass into an exotic getaway. Or are you going nuts, having this on a beach and want as much of the Hawaii as you can muster. Once you have figured that out, we can move on to the next step.

Clothing!

Hawaiian Attire
Now you can’t have a Hawaiian Party Decorations and not thing about the traditional Hawaiian shirt, yes it can be tacky but not at a luau! This is why you buy these, the real reason, you can tell Uncle Ted he can finally wear his Hawaiian shirt and nobody will make fun. Don’t forget the Lei’s for all the guests, plus a nice fake flower for the women to put in their hair will really put a nice touch.

The Presentation
When you come to a Hawaiian Party you expect a certain look, it doesn’t have to be the same look as every other luau styled party but obviously there is a general theme. You aren’t going to have Jedi table clothes at a luau. So let’s not forget the Tiki Torches, Coconuts, Fruit Styled Decorations, and palm trees. Now if you’re going a step further, a nice cooking fire with a pig on a spigot and some hula dancers will really go a long way.

Some Good Eats
You can’t plan a party, put up Hawaiian Party Decorations, and not have some good food. It’s against the law in Hawaii, or it should be. If you have nothing else you have to do the Kalua Pig. It’s the traditional dish at any Luau. There are also dishes like Lua Lua, Poke, Mahi Mahi, Poi Poi, and Haupi. Those are some great and well known dishes that people will love and appreciate your attention to detail.

Now when you are out there and the pigs on a spigot, people are sunning themselves. What kind of activity is appropriate for this bunch? Well hell, you can’t have a true luau without LIMBO! Yeah it’s corny and overdone and everyone is expecting it, but c’mon, with the right audience this is a good time.

Bambo Limbo Kit

You can go the easy route and grab a stick and 2 people to hold it and call it a day. Or, you can go all out and grab a Limbo Kit. Any of these are pretty inexpensive and shouldn’t be more than around $20. You should get the classic stick and 2 pegs that hold it with several height levels. Some kits include more things, like music and even proper instructions of technique. Nice.

Luau Music CD

Even if you decline the limbo idea, you still should have some good Luau music just to play in the background. It is a big part of setting the mood when you are trying to get that Hawaiian feel.

Hula Hoop Challenge

Grab yourself enough hula hoops for all. Have everyone do their best and most creative Hula Hoop technique and let the fun begin. You can judge people on style, creativity, or you can have a time challenge for whoever can go the longest. Please make sure there are no ringers or that could go on for hours!

Limbo Drinking Game

You can easily make the limbo game even more entertaining for adults. Have people do the limbo and every time they fail, take a drink! However, don’t try going on too long or the game will become more of a standing challenge. Haha.

Throw on the fruit hats and have yourself a good time. Don’t let people try and get you too stuck on things being too corny or too un-original or whatever. Sometimes people just need to let go and have fun, forget the uptight boring people at home and have a party you wont forget!