Tropical-Style Luau Party! Hukilau!

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Tropical-style parties -- even in the middle of the winter -- can add some warmth and fun to any occasion! Here are some ideas!

I had never thought much about tropical-style parties until I moved with my family to the tropical island of Guam, where it seemed that every weekend (and even sometimes on weeknights) you could find "tropical-style parties"!

The main ingredients?

Well, of course, you need some great kaukau (Hawaiian for "food"). I'm thinking barbeque, shishkabobs (a mix of marinated meat [chicken, steak, shrimps], small onions, slices of bell peppers, pineapple chunks assembled on bamboo skewers), tropical fruit salads (pineapples, mangos, papayas, bananas, grapes -- with maybe even langka and dragonfruit for the special exoticness), tropical drinks (fruit punches, tiki-bar drinks [for those adult-only parties]), and maybe even ice-creams (coconut, ube, green-tea?) or sherbets to cool off that hot tropical effect.

Then, it helps to have great decorations! Things like woven palm-frond mats, tiki wall-hangings and posters, bamboo screens, tropical-scene posters, other bamboo accessories such as place-mats and salad-bowl serving utensils, and flower leis and tropical plants. Maybe even some cute tiki or tropical-style centerpieces. Party favors, too?

How about a "tropical" clothing dress-code? Hawaiian shirts? Muumuus? The Hawaii 5-O look?

Well, check out this lens to come up with ideas of your own for your tropical luau party!
Backyard set-up just right for a Luau party! Hermosa Beach, California.

This Backyard Is Already Set-up Nice for a Luau Tropical Party! 

So You Want to Have a Tropical-Themed Luau Party? First things first!

The "When" and "Where" are IMPORTANT!

View of a grassy area just back of a tropical beach--perfect for a Luau Party! Kapaa, Kauai, Hawaii

When and where are two important points you must consider when having a tropical luau party.


  • When, of course, is critical. Because timing is important for a great party. Weekends are good. Because folks can really relax and enjoy the event. And, if you are having the party outdoors, it's nice to know you won't be facing a snowstorm or hurricane or other disagreeable weather.

  • Where--is also important. If you know the weather will be bad or you don't have a backyard that can handle it. You can have the party indoors--your basement or kitchen/living room might do just fine.


If you have the party in the backyard, you may have more room to complete the "tropical luau" effect.


  • Decorate your garden shed to look like a thatched "beach-hut".

  • Add some potted tropical plants such as birds-nest-ferns, ornamental banana plants, and birds-of-paradise plants (and maybe even a cycad palm) to create the "tropical foilage" look.

  • Whether indoors or out, you can also add decorations such as tiki lamps, inflatable cooler/palm trees, tiki poles, tropical theme napkins, paper plates, cups, banners, fishnets with replicas of tropical fish, and other things that may strike your fancy.

  • You gotta have the tropical luau type music--whether it be authentic Hawaiian music by Israel Kamakawiwoole, Don Ho, Cecilio and Kapono, Hapa, or the great stuff from the Beach Boys or the Eagles.

  • Encourage guests to wear "tropical wear"--Island Shirts, Hawaiian Shirts, Aloha Shirts, Muumuus, surfing swim trunks, T-shirts, flip-flops and so on.

  • In addition to the music, you can make room for folks to dance as well as mingle. If there's dancing, maybe your guests can have competition with Hawaiian Hula or Tahitian Tamure. The space can also be used for various party games, such as "limbo" or "pass the orange" and other group entertainment.

  • Some of this stuff sets up quickly. Some of the other stuff may take a bit of planning, including purchasing or renting the equipment, plants, decorations, tables and chairs, and so on.

  • You might consider providing the party-themed disposable flash-cameras such as those made by Fuji or Kodak so guests can take pictures (I've seen folks use them at wedding receptions and at anniversary parties!). Tell the party attendees that you'll gather up the cameras at the end of the party and get the film developed. Once you get the photos developed (and put on CD), you can upload the pictures to Flickr or some other place to share the pics with your party guests.
Another View of a Backyard Already Set Up for a Tropical Luau Party! Hermosa Beach, California

Another View of a Backyard Already Set Up for a Tropical Luau Party! 

Island Wear, Aloha Wear, and Hawaiian Wear... Where's the Party?

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Rattan and iron-wood bar and bar chairs, fish net, tropical carvings--set-up for a Luau Party... in New Mexico!

Even Kids Get a Kick Out of the Tropical Theme! 

"Atmosphere" Goodies to Give Your Luau Tropical Party That Special Touch!

So, you get the decorations, the accessories, those special items that say *Island*, *Beach*, and *Summertime*!

132 pc Tropical LUAU PARTY PACK -Leis, hibiscus luau -lanterns--hibiscus tattoos-hibiscus flowers-luau balloons-luau napkins-tropical straws

132 pc Tropical LUAU PARTY PACK -Leis, hibiscus luau -lanterns--hibiscus tattoos-hibiscus flowers-luau balloons-luau napkins-tropical straws

Box contains: 12 mini tabletop decorations , assorted*, more...0 points

set of 3 Natural tan Grass table skirts - wholesale LUAU party supplies

set of 3 Natural tan Grass table skirts - wholesale LUAU party supplies

set of 3 tan table skirts, all new in sealed packages. more...0 points

10 Pc TROPICAL Inflates INFLATABLES -wholesale LUAU party supplies

10 Pc TROPICAL Inflates INFLATABLES -wholesale LUAU party supplies

you will receive a 10 pc assortment chosen from the more...0 points

Facing Future

Facing Future

There's a smart balance of traditional Hawaiiana a more...0 points

Inflatable Palm Tree Cooler

Inflatable Palm Tree Cooler

Spice up the Luau Party with Something Different! more...0 points

Tiki Island Luau Scene Setters

Tiki Island Luau Scene Setters

Two supersized decorations transform any room or s more...0 points

Hawaiian Luau

Hawaiian Luau

Aloha! Are you ready to party Hawaiian style? Get more...0 points

Hula Dancers 33 1/2 x 65

Hula Dancers 33 1/2 x 65" Scene Setters (2 count)

Set the scene for a tropical party. Large wall pos more...0 points

Tropical Window View Add-Ons

Tropical Window View Add-Ons

Package contains 3 Window Add-Ons that show a trop more...0 points

Jointed Seascape Cutout

Jointed Seascape Cutout

This seascape cutout will bring the seashore to yo more...0 points

Palm Tree 33 1/2

Palm Tree 33 1/2" x 65" Scene Setters (2 count)

Set the scene for a tropical party. Large wall pos more...0 points

6' Inflatable Palm Tree Cooler

6' Inflatable Palm Tree Cooler

This popular Inflatable Palm Tree Cooler is approx more...0 points

4' Tabletop Tiki Hut

4' Tabletop Tiki Hut

This fabulous tiki hut sits on top of your table a more...0 points

Drew's Famous Party Music: Authentic Luau Aloha

Drew's Famous Party Music: Authentic Luau Aloha

Light the torches and shake those hips. No luau is more...0 points

Beach Boys - 20 Good Vibrations, The Greatest Hits (Volume 1)

Beach Boys - 20 Good Vibrations, The Greatest Hits (Volume 1)

No Description AvailableNo Track Information Available more...0 points

Malibu Outdoor Solar-Powered Tiki Torch Light, 2-Pack #LZ604R2

Malibu Outdoor Solar-Powered Tiki Torch Light, 2-Pack #LZ604R2

The Malibu outdoor one-light solar-powered tiki torch more...0 points

Natural Table Top Tiki Torch

Natural Table Top Tiki Torch

Spice up your Luau with Something Different! Table more...0 points

Flowered Green Fringe Decoration

Flowered Green Fringe Decoration

Spice up the Party Location with Floral Green Trim more...0 points

Latin Percussion Galaxy Giovanni Series Conga, 11.75 Inches

Latin Percussion Galaxy Giovanni Series Conga, 11.75 Inches

The Giovanni Series offers the exquisite beauty of more...0 points

Midnight High Surf Men's Hawaiian Aloha Shirt in Royal Blue.

Midnight High Surf Men's Hawaiian Aloha Shirt in Royal Blue.

Midnight High Surf Men's Hawaiian Aloha Shirt is available more...0 points

  Exclusive Hawaiian Sunset all Over Aloha Shirt

  Exclusive Hawaiian Sunset all Over Aloha Shirt

Absolutely stunning 100% silky smooth Cotton Popli more...0 points

Oscar Schmidt OU2 Ukulele

Oscar Schmidt OU2 Ukulele

Soprano Concert Style / Mahogany Body / Chrome Tun more...0 points

Gently Weeps

Gently Weeps

You'll forget all the Tiny Tim, Don Ho, and Hawaiian-music more...0 points

Cordoba 25SK Soprano Ukelele (Standard)

Cordoba 25SK Soprano Ukelele (Standard)

Cordoba 25SK Soprano Ukelele Features Solid Koa To more...0 points

Something cooking in a banana grove amidst the coconuts, breadfruit, and mango trees - Oahu, Hawaii

What's Cooking in the Banana Grove?! 

Luau Furniture by the Bay.... eBay, That Is! - Party On!

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Rattan and woven bamboo chair with special carved detail - perfect for a permanent Tiki Bar Party!

Attention to Detail Is Good for Getting the Atmosphere Right! 

Tropical Party Decorations by the Bay... eBay, That Is!

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Tropical hut as part of the display at the Polynesian Cultural Center, Oahu, Hawaii

Inspiration for Fixing Up Your Garden Shed, Refrigerator Crate, or Other Structure in Your Luau Area! 

Decorations with Luau Style!

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Tropical Wall Decoration -- The Bamboo Look, The Posters, The Silk-Flower Leis!

Tropical Wall Decoration -- The Bamboo Look, The Posters, The Silk-Flower Leis! 

More Goodies for Your Luau Party!

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Tropical Fruit Goodies for Luau Kau-Kau (aka "Food")!

Get a few of each of the following fruits, cut them into chunks, spears, slices, whatever... and then mix them with slices of oranges, and grapes, and marascino cherries--to make a delectible tropical fruit salad!
Bananas - An Appealing Fruit!
Bananas! What tropical party and tropical fruit salad would be without them? They're so appealing! Mellow yellow and all!
Pineapples - The Well-Traveled Tropical Fruit
Pineapples! Tropical fruit that's good in your fruit salad! (and on your Hawaiian-Style Pizza!)
Papayas - Carica papaya - Full of Healthy Enzymes
Papayas! Another great tropical fruit that adds pazzazz to your fruit salad!
Mango Mania! Don't Mangle Your Mango!
Don't mangle your mangos when you cut them up for your fruit salad or your mango-salsa!
Breadfruit - Potato-like Food from the Tropics
Unless you live in the tropics, you will have problems trying to find this tropical fruit. But if you can find it, you can slice up a ripe one and fry the slices like "French Fries" or like "potato chips"! When drained and dried a bit and sprinkled lightly with salt, they make a nice addition to that tropical party!

Ideas for Tropical Luau-Style Centerpieces! (Fruit, of Course!)

How to Carve Fruit Centerpieces : Assembling A Fruit Peacock Centerpiece
by expertvillage | video info

266 ratings | 368,689 views
curated content from YouTube
Tropical fish on the barbeque.... no, don't raid your aquarium, these are reef fish! Tilapia and trout also work just fine!

Luau Food! Fresh Fish on the Barbie! (Barbeque, That Is!) Yum! Got Lemon Juice and Soy Sauce? 

Preparing the Main Munchies!

You might not want to dig a pit in your backyard for the "roast pig" (aka "kalua pua'a"), but you can still fire up the barbeque!

How to Grill: The Complete Illustrated Book of Barbecue Techniques by Steven Raichlen

How to Grill: The Complete Illustrated Book of Barbecue Techniques by Steven Raichlen

HOW TO GRILL: The Complete Illustrated Book Of Bar more...0 points

Weber 741001 22 1/2-Inch One-Touch Silver Kettle Grill, Black

Weber 741001 22 1/2-Inch One-Touch Silver Kettle Grill, Black

A Classic Weber grill is a must for every grilling more...0 points

Sanyo HPS-SG2 Indoor Barbeque Grill with 120-Square-Inch Nonstick Cooking Surface

Sanyo HPS-SG2 Indoor Barbeque Grill with 120-Square-Inch Nonstick Cooking Surface

When inclement weather keeps you inside, you can s more...0 points

Mr. Bar-B-Q 18-Piece Stainless-Steel Tool Set

Mr. Bar-B-Q 18-Piece Stainless-Steel Tool Set

Fire up the grill and get cooking with this 18-pc. more...0 points

Weber 841001 22 1/2-Inch Performer Charcoal Grill with Touch-N-Go Propane Ignition, Black

Weber 841001 22 1/2-Inch Performer Charcoal Grill with Touch-N-Go Propane Ignition, Black

Forget charcoal lighter fluid. No more electric st more...0 points

Indoor! Grilling by Steven Raichlen

Indoor! Grilling by Steven Raichlen

Indoors-It's the new outdoors SPIT-ROASTED PRIME RIBS, more...0 points

Sanyo EC-505 5-Cup Rice Cooker and Vegetable Steamer

Sanyo EC-505 5-Cup Rice Cooker and Vegetable Steamer

Cook five cups of rice and steam fresh vegetables more...0 points

No Ho's Hawaiian Sauces Coconut Sauce, 12-Ounce Bottles (Pack of 6)

No Ho's Hawaiian Sauces Coconut Sauce, 12-Ounce Bottles (Pack of 6)

You have to have "Da Sauce" - for dat Ha more...0 points

EditorDave's Special Marinating Sauce for Yummy Island-Style Barbeque!

Firepit getting ready for barbeque! Barbequed teriyaki chicken or steak anyone?Yup, after living on Guam, I learned a bunch of ways to cook all sorts of delicious island fare.

Most of the time, we would marinate the beef and chicken overnight in a mixture of lemon juice, vinegar, soy sauce, and pepper. We would then slow-barbeque the fully-marinated meat over a ready bed of charcoal or tangentangen (don't worry about it if you don't have tangentangen... ordinary pine or mesquite or other woods will do).

Sometimes, the fire might get a little frisky, so we'd pour beer over the fire (and maybe get the meat a little wet in the meantime). The beer would also add extra flavor to the meat.

When I returned to New Mexico, I started experimenting with other variations of marinating and barbeque sauce. In addition to the concoction listed above, I'd add some ketchup, mustard, aji-mirin cooking rice-wine, soy sauce, and orange juice to the above mix. And then marinate and baste the meat with the mixture.

It makes for an interesting tropical flavor to the meat!
Grilled Shrimps and Teriyaki Steak on Skewers over a Bed of Rice! Perfect Luau Food!

Grilled Shrimps and Teriyaki Steak on Skewers over a Bed of Rice! Perfect Luau Food! Ka'in Tayo! 

Other Food (aka "Kaukau") Ideas! How About Pizza?

Hawaiian-style pizza - ham and pineapple... with the cheese and tomato sauce as well! (To make it a Kauai Pizza, add chicken!)Well, pizzas always seem to be a party favorite--and you can either make them yourself or you can order a bunch for your party!

For a Tropical Luau Style, the most obvious pizza to have would be the so-called "Hawaiian Pizza"--the pizza that has the normal tomato sauce and cheese, with ham and pineapple chunks.

In our home, we have something that we like to call the "Kauai Pizza".... it's a "Hawaiian-style" pizza, but with chicken chunks (with or without the ham). (Why do we call it "Kauai" pizza? Because Kauai refers to their plentiful chickens as their "birds-of-paradise".)

Luau Wear! Good at the Beach and at the Party!

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Wearing Tahitian Tamare garb while posing in front of a Polynesian tapa cloth!

You Can Go "Islander" to Get In the Mood for the Luau Party! 

More Island-Style, Hawaiian-Kine Goodies for Your Party!

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Pointing out the puckered lips of an Easter Island Moai Tiki - Polynesian Cultural Center, Oahu, Hawaii

You Don't Have to Go Overboard With Your Decorations! Although Chicken-Wire, Paper Mache, and Paint Works! 

Decorative Luau Wear and Other Stuff!

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Tropical drink -- pineapple juice, papaya juice, lime soda, and perhaps a touch of rum!

If You Are Going to Have a Tropical Party, You Must Have "Tropical Beverages"! 

Need More Help With Planning Your Tropical-Luau-Beach Party?

Check out the references here!

Tropical sunset at the beach - Perfect place for a luau party!  Tumon Bay, GuamOkay, you want to create some extraordinary centerpieces or food sculptures for your tropical theme luau party. If you are overwhelmed with the prospect, there are instructional videos that can help you do to this--just Chef Mike's Video Instruction to get professional coaching on setting one of these amazing displays that your guests will always remember!

If you want more than the table food displays, you can head on over to get a complete set-up kit and instruction at My Island Party.com. The instructions here will give you all you need to have a party no one forgets!

If you need some Surfboard Art to enhance the "atmosphere" of your beach-house, your backyard, your pool-side, or your luau party, check out this Hang Ten Surf Art Myspace Page. You'll find some cool art here!
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Tropical Luau-Style Yard Party Table Festooned with Great Food and Decorated by Tiki Trappings!

Tropical Luau-Style Yard Party Table Festooned with Great Food and Decorated by Tiki Trappings! 

Recipes for MaiTai, Lomi Lomi, Kalua Pua'a, Teriyaki, Pancit, Banana Lumpia!

Is Your Tummy Growling Yet? Get Some of These Recipe Books and Start Cookin'!

Tiki Modern by Sven A Kirsten

Tiki Modern by Sven A Kirsten

Sexy savage: Excavating Tiki's finest offerings TA more...0 points

Tiki Quest by Duke Carter

Tiki Quest by Duke Carter

Tiki Quest: Collecting the Exotic Past is the latest more...0 points

Beachbum Berry's Taboo Table by Jeff Berry

Beachbum Berry's Taboo Table by Jeff Berry

Forbidden secrets of feast-worthy food! A companio more...0 points

Trader Vic's Tiki Party!: Cocktails & Food to Share with Friends by Stephen Siegelman, Trader Vic

Trader Vic's Tiki Party!: Cocktails & Food to Share with Friends by Stephen Siegelman, Trader Vic

The tiki volcano is erupting all over again, and n more...0 points

Hawaii Tropical Rum Drinks & Cuisine by Don the Beachcomber by Arnold Bitner, Phoebe Beach

Hawaii Tropical Rum Drinks & Cuisine by Don the Beachcomber by Arnold Bitner, Phoebe Beach

Aloha! Don the Beachcomber has some great concocti more...0 points

Sippin' Safari: In Search of the Great

Sippin' Safari: In Search of the Great "Lost" Tropical Drink Recipes... and the People Behind Them by Jeff Berry

The new book by the Author of The Grog Log, Intoxi more...0 points

Beachbum Berry's Grog Log by Jeff Berry, Annene Kaye, Craig Pape

Beachbum Berry's Grog Log by Jeff Berry, Annene Kaye, Craig Pape

Tiki bar mixology is a lost art--but the Grog Log more...0 points

Best of the Best from Hawaii: Selected Recipes from Hawaii's Favorite Cookbooks (Best of the Best State Cookbook)

Best of the Best from Hawaii: Selected Recipes from Hawaii's Favorite Cookbooks (Best of the Best State Cookbook)

Want to... prepare the popular Huli Huli Chicken... more...0 points

Sam Choys Sampler: Hawaiis Favorite Recipes by Sam Choy

Sam Choys Sampler: Hawaiis Favorite Recipes by Sam Choy

Sam Choy's Sampler-Welcome to the Wonderful World of more...0 points

Hawaiian Cookbook by Roana and Gene Schindler

Hawaiian Cookbook by Roana and Gene Schindler

Nearly 300 easy-to-prepare exotic recipes with tip more...0 points

Placemat Idea for a Tropical Party!

Placemat Idea for a Tropical Party! 

Need Further Inspiration For Your Tropical Luau Party?

Check Out These Tropical Scenic Places!

Bird's eye view (from the 9th floor lanai of a hotel) of Waikiki Beach, Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii

Guam--this is about as tropical as you can get! Beach parties are the norm here!


Hawaii--Of course, Hawaii has always been the inspiration for the Tropical Luau Party! It's the home of the Hukilau, the Luau, and the famous Kaukau! So check this lens out wikiwiki and see what comes to mind!


Palau--this group of islands in the southwestern Pacific Ocean--just north of the Equator--is a paradise... both for those landlubbers as well as for snorkelers and SCUBA divers. You don't have to be a "survivor" to go there.


Surfing--hey, the "Beach Boys" and Hawaii's Duke Kahanomomoku made this island sport famous.


Beaches--a variety of beaches and beach goodies to get you in the mood for getting some sand between your toes and a warm breeze wafting through your hair.


Tikis and Tiki Bars--a Squidoo lens that provides more details on Tikis... what they look like, the different forms, the Tiki culture, and so on. For that "Tropical Look"... this site is a place to see!

Boracay Island--this Squidoo lens gives you a peek at a tropical paradise... the island of Boracay, in Aklan Province, in the Philippines. The beaches are white, the sunsets are fantastic... and the food and entertainment and snorkeling and SCUBA diving...well, you have to go there to really enjoy it!

It's Luau Party TIme!

It's Luau Party TIme! 

Have your own party by creating your own Squidoo lens!

Just click on the icon below -- it's easy, it's fast, and best of all, it's FUN!

Squid graphic courtesy of Squidoo Squid Graphics For Your Lenses! by GreekGeek.

Aloha! Take Time From Planning Your Party to Drop a Note Here!

  • Deadicated May 20, 2012 @ 4:46 am | delete
    Very nice Lens; good inspiration to have a Tropical themed party, I'm ordering the little umbrellas for the drinks now.
  • ScareYouDiva Sep 6, 2011 @ 8:02 am | delete
    Wow - an awesome lens. Amazing photos. We're about to throw a luau pig roast party, and I got some great ideas!
  • prosperity66 Jul 1, 2011 @ 6:34 am | delete
    Still one of the best lenses in this category. Re-sprinkling some angel dust on it!
  • clouda9 Apr 1, 2011 @ 12:32 pm | delete
    I'll take a pina colada with some of that Luau Food please...and that is just for the planning phase. It ain't no April prank...you've been blessed and featured on http://www.squidoo.com/my-angel-wings
  • prosperity66 Feb 13, 2011 @ 10:19 am | delete
    This lens has surely required a lot of work, if only for searching after products to feature here - I know how much work involves a Luau party as I built three entire pages about such a party on my website, but it was a lot of fun and I also learned a lot of things about Hawaii and Luau traditions.
    Blessed by an angel on Squidoo.
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EditorDave

If you need documentation or editorial help, or assistance with financial services, please drop me a note.
Living on Guam is what now "defines" me. ...
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Feeling creative? Create a Lens!

Luau Party Drinks Need the Tiki Treatment! 

12 Assorted Plastic Tiki Mugs

Amazon Price: $23.49 (as of 06/02/2012)Buy Now

You can't beat these colorful additions to a Luau or Tiki Party! Making me thirsty just thinking about them!

Raffia Tableskirt, for that "Islandy Look"! 

Could not locate item B000GJIG3S. Please try again.Sorry, there are no results available from Amazon.

Seashells by the Seashore! Great for Serving da Chow! 

Large Plastic Seashell Bowl

Amazon Price: $8.99 (as of 06/02/2012)Buy Now

Another enhancement for your Luau Party... If you want to have a tropical-theme party, you can't go wrong with seashells. And this is a huge seashell in which you can serve some of the food you're offering at the party! Chips? Dips? Yum!