How to host a Hawaiian Luau Party

How to host a Hawaiian Luau Party

Found In: ›Activities ›USA ›Theme Days

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A Hawaiian themed day can be as simple or as elaborate as you want it to be. It depends on your resources and enthusiasm. If you are doing it for the first time keep it simple and add new elements year by year.

For decoration you will need:

  1. A couple of hula hoops and a beach ball for games
  2. A beach umbrella, green foliage (banana leaves) from the garden to decorate the space
  3. A Hawaiian CD
  4. If your party is going to be in the morning it is a good idea to hire a movie to show in the afternoon or early evening. Blue Hawaii with Elvis Presley or South Pacific with Rossano Brazzi are suitable choices.
  5. A coconut tree created in a craft session

Request from the Chef:

  • A BBQ lunch of pineapple-chicken or pork ribs and coconut rice
  • Coconut slice for dessert or fruit salad 'Kabobs' (pieces of fruit on skewers)
  • Tropical Fruit Juice. Blend tropical fruit juice and ice and serve with cocktail umbrellas and straws.

Optional:

  • Purchase a hula video DVD a couple of weeks before to learn how to dance the hula!
  • Contact a Hawaiian Club and request a couple of Hula dancers for the day. If a Hawaiian Club is not available try Polynesian or any South Pacific group or Club. The last time I hosted this event I invited Fijian teenagers from the local High School to perform a dance. It turned up great!
  • Hawaiian skirts and flower leis bought from Discount stores.

Instructions for the party:

  • Make sure you have plenty of volunteers, invite relatives to attend.
  • Have Hawaiian music playing in the background.
  • Greet people as they arrive and place flower leis around their necks.
  • Hand each guest a 'Program' for the day and assist them to their seats.
  • Offer refreshments: Tropical fruit juice served in long glasses with a drinking straw and cocktail umbrella for decoration. Offer tea and coffee (old habits die hard).
  • Make sure you have a dedicated MC for the program for things to run smoothly (see sample provided).
  • At the end of the program announce the afternoon movie and invite guests to attend.

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Kylie 30th Jul 2017 leisure and lifestyle officer
I held a Hawaii day last week and used some of your ideas. Luckily my mum has a pen friend in Hawaii, so she had lots of things that she had been sent over the years. Tea Towels, some Lava, Dolls, Jewellery, Post cards, Coconut bowls.
We had Hawaiian music. I invited the local Yukelale group to come and play for us. It was the first time they had performed in front of a group. We all got Leis as we arrived. I Made placemats with a Hawaiian theme. The clients got a card with 'How to speak Hawaiian' inside it. we had Hawaiian pizzas for lunch (which the clients made), and lovely tropical Hawaiian Fruit Salad for desert, complete with umbrellas. I decorated the tables with fake Hibiscus flowers and some Flamingos I got from from Kmart. The staff all dressed up which was great. We played pass the pineapple sponge under our chin game, tried to Hula and Limbo. The clients said it was a great day
Talita 31st Jul 2017
This sounds wonderful Kylie! Love your ideas, what an effort you went to and it sounds like it all paid off.
Solange 26th Feb 2012 Diversional Therapist
Hi Linda, what a great idea to host a 'Beach Themed' party. I wish you luck and would love to hear how it goes for you. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Linda 25th Feb 2012 Diversional Therapist Assistant & Assistant in Nursing Aged Care
I have just started in my new position as DT assistant and I am planning my first theme day - Beach Party. Just about got all props and decorations organised, and planning on a few games such as fishing competition, wheelchair limbo and sandcastle building comp. As it is going to be around morning tea kitchen is doing some tropical inspired treats and ice creams in cones for residents. Hoping it all goes well, wish me luck :-)
Dianne 10th Aug 2011 Recreation officer
Hi
We had a hawaiian party recently to thank our volunteers.It was a huge success and the residents had such a great time. There was a lot of work for myself organising it and making the decorations but it was worth it to see their faces. We have 3 poles by the lounge area and i turned them into palm trees. The residents made leis and I hung up some information on the walls about Hawaii.
Chris 12th Aug 2019 Activity Director
How did you turn poles into palm trees ?
Solange 5th Oct 2010 Diversional Therapist
Hi Rebecca, thanks for letting us know your Luau party was successful. We have one every year and it is always a lot of fun.
Rebecca 5th Oct 2010 Diversional Therapist Assistant
We had a Luau Party last fortnight, it was an absolute success. Everybody had a great time and we had Polynesian dancers come in after the big feast.

Really enjoyable day.
Solange 6th Sep 2010 Diversional Therapist
Yes Jenny, I would love to hear about your party, if possible send us a photo for all to see.
Jenny 5th Sep 2010 DT
Thank you for this segment. We are planning a cocktail mock tail with an Hawaiian theme, for the past months we have been collecting dried flowers and making our own leis, plus scouting the op shops for those lovely hawaiian shirts, will let you know how it turns out.
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