Decorate your garden with Deck Fringing, Tropical cut-outs and paper lanterns, Fill your tables with votive candles, tropical cocktails and Hawaiian themed tableware – ready for all that delicious barbecued food. Finally, before your guests arrive, slip into your favourite Hawaiian Shirt – we particularly like Kama Kula’s Low Rider design in pink- and party shades. With such a range of Grass Skirts and Leis available, ladies can co-ordinate their outfits to match their swimwear with effortless style.

When the Luau is in full swing and all the food has been eaten and the drinks are flowing nicely, how about some fun garden games to keep everyone amused? ‘Bat & ball’; Limbo; space hoppers; Piñatas – your imagination is the only limit.

Finish off the occasion and say Aloha! with some Polynesian party bags for the children (and adults) filled with Flip Flop favors, sweets and Tropical Confetti.

• Aloha! – Hello / Goodbye
• Ho’okomo – Enter / come in
• O wai kou inoa? – What’s your name?
• O … ko’u inoa. – My name is…
• Lama pa’i pa’i – Cocktail
• Huli pau! – Cheers!
• Mai e ‘ai – Come and eat.
• Hoapili – Close friend
• Hau’oli la hanau – Happy Birthday
• Hula – Hawaiian way of communicating through dance
• Lei – a flower garland
• Luau – party
• Inu – a drink
• Ku’u aku, ho’onanea, luana – Relax
• Mahalo – Thank you

The Hawaiian language consists of just 12 letters. 5 vowels – a, e, i, o, u and 7 consonants – h, k, l, m, n, p and w. A Consonant is always followed by a vowel, therefore, all Hawaiian words end in a vowel. The letter ‘W’ is often pronounced as ‘V’ – as it was traditionally pronounced. Hawaiian words are often long and look quite daunting to someone trying to learn the language. It is easier to break a word down into the syllables to get the hang of it.
For example:
“lama pa’ipa’i” (cocktail) : la-ma-pa-i-pa-i

Aloha!

For all of these tropical Hawaiian recipes you’ll need a blender, measuring glass, ice and a cocktail shaker. Then it’s just a case of breaking out the cocktail glasses and having a good time.

Banana Lover- For this fruity number you’ll need a shot of Amaretto, a shot of Banana Liqueur and two shots of orange juice. Add half a peeled banana and then blend the lot together with ice.

Blue Hawaiian- Take a shot of Blue Caracao, a shot of white rum, half a shot of coconut milk and a small glass of pineapple juice. Mix the ingredients together in a cocktail shaker and then slowly pour over ice.

Hawaiian Honeymoon- Perfect for sunny relaxing days, this one goes down smooth. You’ll need a shot of Pernod, pineapple juice and lemon juice, mixed with two shots of Bacardi, two shots of orange juice and a quick splash of Grenadine. Mix all but the Pernod together and pour into a cocktail glass. Then carefully pour the Pernod so it floats on top and drink with a straw.

Isle of Coconut- If you like coconut you’ll fall in love with this tropical Hawaiian recipe. Take two shots of white rum, half a shot each of coconut syrup and lime juice, then add dashes of lemon and orange juice. Blend with ice, pour and enjoy!