Hawaiian Party Supplies - Skirts - Leis

Hawaiian History and Myths

Hawaii is situated in the North Pacific Ocean over 2000 miles away from the United States and became the 50th state of the United States in 1959. In 1843 the British Royal Navy entered Honolulu and captured the fort forcing King Kamehameha 111 to abdicate. Unrest continued throughout the reigns of King David Kalakaua and his sister and even today there is unrest.

Luau a modern word for the traditional Hawaiian feast that in ancient days used to be called aha aina, these feasts were used to celebrate many celebrations including the coming of age, births, and important guests. The modern term of Luau came at the time of the great feasts of the Hawaiian King Kamehameha.

In ancient times in Hawaii men and women were not allowed together and indeed Hawaiian women were forbidden from eating certain foods. King Kamehameha abolished these laws in the early 1800s when he held a symbolic feast with women invited. At this feast one of the dishes was the wrapping of chicken in the young leaves of a taro plant and cooking it in coconut milk, this dish was named Luaua and as it was a main dish at the feasts the celebration meals came to be called Luaus.

An underground steam oven called a imu is used for the traditional Hawaiian feast, river rocks are heated up and when hot enough crushed banana stumps are placed on top of the hot rocks which creates steam, the food is then placed on top and everything is covered to seal in the steam.

The Kalua pig is a Hawaiian Luau dish which is produced by slowly roasting a pig in an underground pit. Traditional Kalua pig is seasoned only with salt, allowing the flavours of the pig and the vegetation it is buried with to mingle, creating a very rich, smoky flavour. Traditionally, this method of cooking a whole pig is called Kalua pua'a.

Before coming into contact with the outside world, Hawaiians called this feast an 'aha'aina. These were held for very special occasions - such as reaching a significant life milestone, the launching of a new canoe or a great endeavour. The feast survives today and is called a Luau.

Traditionally luaus are eaten sitting on the ground with the food on Ti leaves that are placed on a woven mat called the Lauhala mat. As the guests arrive at luaus they are given a lei, the lei is a necklace or headband made out of flowers or shells and it is a symbol of affection.

Another ornament worn at these gatherings by the women was a flower behind the ear, placing a flower over the left ear indicates that the woman is spoken for and placing it behind the righ ear means that she is free of tie.

Hawaiian culture is a mix of cultures mainly Asian and Polynesian but also added to by many others, with rice being a popular part of the menus. Elvis and Don Ho made albums with songs about Hawaii that are often played at Luaus.

When planning a party research hawaiian history, musical hisotry and folklore and from that make up quizzes.

Hawaiian history is rich and interesting, and the facts lend themselves to rousing Hawaiian Party trivia. From simple facts like what lei greetings mean and symbolise, to planning a festive luau, with brightly dressed guests in island attire and guests attempting the hula in grass skirs, where you can serve traditional Hawaiian fare or an eclectic mix of traditional and English American foods, your Hawaiian theme party is sure to be a success. Make coconut candleholders for the centrepieces on each table and provide an array of hawaiian cuisine. Prepare an assortement of tradidional hawaiian dishes such as hawaiian roasted pork. Add sweet potatoes, your guests will fall in love with the fantastic food. Treat your guests to a variety of fresh fruit and fruit beverages. Having a feast has been and is a worldwide form of celebrating happy and important events. The Hawaiians have evolved thi sinto a truly unique cultural experience.

A luau party can be a vibrant fun partywhere everyone can get into the mood. The luau party can be in any setting, it can also suit any age group or occasion. The occasions can be Birthdays, Wedding, Engagement, Retirement, Graduation or indeed any celebration that you can name. We would all love to be in Hawaii soaking up the Sun and relaxing with a drink. A lot of us imagine vacations in Hawaii and the wonderful experience that would be.

There are lots of things to make the party go well, they will include wearing hawaiian costumes, a great venue, food hawaiian of course, games, favours, entertainment and atmosphere. Getting dressed up for a Luau Party will get you in the mood.

Choice of venues for the party could be at home, on a beach, country club even a village hall. Design your invitation as an island paradise, in wording the invitations remember to ask the guests to dress for a hawaiian party .

If the venue is your home or a hall get to work on creating a great venue get travel posters and brochures, fake palm trees, leis, parrots, coconut cups and as many hawaiian things you can find all available from www.partysuppliesrus.co.uk.

The food must be hawaiian styled fresh pineapple, coconuts and if outdoors a barbie, lots of good food ideas can be found on Google just by typing in hawaiian receipes.