Throwing Together a Hawaiian Party

Having a themed party is a fun way to entertain. I have used several themed variations for parties but thought the Hawaiian party was particularly enjoyable. The following are some ideas to assist you in hosting your own Hawaiian party.

First send out invitations with 'Hele mei hoohiwahiwa' written on the cards which means 'come celebrate'. Encourage each guest to come dressed in Hawaiian-style clothes and to be prepared for a relaxing evening in Hawaii.

We had Hawaiian music playing as guests arrived at our home. For decorations we used brightly-colored lanterns, tiki torches, bowls of flowers and wrapped a grass skirt around the bottom portion of the table. We placed pineapples and cocoanuts as decorative accents and handed leis to each guest when they arrived. Candles were placed inside the house as well as outside on the patio.

Besides Hawaiian music it is nice if you are able to get background sounds of surf. Even the sound of the now popular backyard water fountains would be a fitting background. And what would a Hawaiian-themed party be without a hula hoop contest?

The following are some food ideas for keeping with the Hawaiian theme:

- Serve Hawaiian Plantation Iced Tea made with pekoe tea, pineapple juice and spears of peeled pineapple.
- Mai Tais are also popular. They are made with a selection of light and dark rums, orange curacao, almond-flavored syrup, limes and orange juice.
- For an appetizer consider fried won tons or Ahi made from tuna steaks.
- For the main dish serve Hawaiian chicken kabobs, Hawaiian-style fried rice with Chinese pork sausage, pineapple chunks, green onion and oyster sauce.
- For a salad to go with your main dish try the following:

Tropical Salad with Pineapple Vinaigrette

6 slices bacon
1/4 cup pineapple juice
3 tbsp. red wine vinegar
1 /4 cup olive oil
ground pepper and salt to taste
1 – 10 oz. pkg. Romaine lettuce
1 cup diced pineapple
1/2 cup chopped and toasted macadamia nuts
3 chopped green onions
1/4 cup flaked and toasted cocoanut

Cook bacon until evenly browned then drain and crumble. Combine pineapple juice, red wine vinegar, oil, pepper and salt in jar with lid and shake well. Mix lettuce, pineapple, nuts, onions and bacon. Pour dressing over salad and toss. Garnish with toasted cocoanut.

When I think of Hawaii, my thoughts automatically turn to the popular luau celebration which is to roast a pig. For those who have the space, and the inclination to do this, the following steps are the way to do it:

- The size of the Imu pit depends on the size of the pig. For an average sized pig, the hole will need to be approximately 3 foot by 5 foot in size.
- Line the pit with dry kindling, firewood and rocks, then light the kindling on fire.
- Let the kindling and firewood burn for approximately one and a half hours until it has been reduced to ashes.
- Ensure that the hot rocks are evenly spaced in the pit and then cover them with about six inches of green vegetation. This can be things like stalks, cabbage or lettuce leaves. Larger leaves are better.
- Then place a layer of chicken wire over the vegetation.
- Place another layer of vegetation over the chicken wire and then place the pig into the Imu pit.
- Cover with an additional layer of vegetation followed by clean burlap sacks soaked in clean water. These will create additional heat.
- Next cover with heavy plastic sheeting and lastly with the dirt that was removed from the pit.
- An average sized pig will take about eight to ten hours to cook.

For most this will not be feasible but a Hawaiian party can be great even without the roasted pig. And if the weather holds, perhaps your guests will really feel as if they have been transported to the wonderful island of Hawaii. When they leave, say 'Mahalo nui loa na ho'olaule'a me la kaua', which means 'Thank you for celebrating with us'.