How to Throw a Hawaiian Party
A Hawaiian party is one of the easiest themes to pull off and one of the most fun. Think bright colour, tropical flowers, tiki touches and food you can eat with your fingers. This guide walks you through the whole thing, from the look and the leis to the food and the games, so you can plan it in an afternoon.
It works indoors or out, for kids or grown-ups, and scales from a back-garden barbecue to a full luau. We have packed over 3 million orders since 2005, and Hawaiian is a summer favourite every year.
Nail the look
Hawaiian is a colour theme first. Go bright and mix on purpose: ocean blue, palm green, sunset orange and hibiscus pink all sit together happily. Build the room in layers:
- Backdrop: a raffia table skirt or a tiki bar frames your food and drink table and photographs brilliantly.
- Ceiling and walls: palm-leaf garlands, paper flowers and a few inflatable palm trees or flamingos.
- Table: a grass-look table skirt, tropical-print tableware and scattered silk flowers.
- Colour rule: pick two dominant shades (say blue and green) and let orange and pink be your accents, roughly 60/30/10.
Dress it and feed it
Greet every guest with a flower lei at the door. It costs pennies per person and instantly puts everyone in the theme. Add grass skirts, flower garlands and coconut cups for anyone who wants to go further.
For food, keep it colourful and hand-held: fruit skewers, pineapple, watermelon slices, sliders and anything on a cocktail stick. Serve drinks from the tiki bar in tall cups with paper umbrellas and a fruit garnish. A punch bowl with floating fruit doubles as a centrepiece.
Games and music
- Limbo: a bamboo limbo pole is the classic Hawaiian game and works for all ages. Lower it a notch each round.
- Hula-hoop contest: quick to set up, no prep needed.
- Best-dressed lei: hand a prize to whoever commits hardest to the look.
Put on a steel-drum or beachy playlist, keep it low while people arrive and turn it up once the garden fills. Fairy lights or a few tiki torches (adult supervision) take it into the evening.
Frequently asked questions
How far ahead should I plan a Hawaiian party?
Two weeks is plenty. Order decorations and leis about 10 days ahead so you have time to string garlands and set up the tiki bar, and buy fresh fruit the day before.
Does Hawaiian work as a kids party?
Yes, it is one of the best kids themes. Swap cocktails for fruit punch, use inflatables and limbo for the games, and every child loves a lei and a grass skirt.
What should I wear to a Hawaiian party?
A bright floral shirt or dress, a flower lei and a flower behind the ear is all you need. Add a grass skirt or straw hat if you want the full look.
Start with Hawaiian party supplies, then build the bar with a tiki bar and Hawaiian inflatables. Dress your guests with Hawaiian leis and Hawaiian fancy dress.