We have an adult Luau every summer. We are getting better and better each year but I will give you suggestions from what we have learned so far. I believe people have mentioned Oriental Trading, party city and Dollar Tree for decorations. They are both great and really useful. Dollar tree is a great place to get leahs but they are obviously pretty cheap ones, you can get them in bulk at OT and if you have 150 people you can probably get what you need from them.
We have bought paper lanterns and strands of lights and hung them around our back yard. That along with Tiki torches is great for the evening. You can even look at BIG LOTS for things. I found great table clothes last year there and even some lanterns. If you have any wicker type bowls, that looks great for serving things. We also did the big cut out surfer and hula girl, that was a lot of fun for everyone.
For food we do smoked pork shoulders. Last year we served some with BBQ and some with a Carolina vinegar recipe. I suggest getting crock pots out to store the pork in, that way the sauces stay warm with the pork. Some friends of ours take a pineapple and then get ham, turkey,cheeses, cherries, pineapple pretty much anything you think would go together and cut them up and skewer three items together, and then stick each skewer into the pineapple. (Don't peal the pineapple leave the skin on, it is just for decor. That is always a huge success. A lot of food in Hawaii is similar to Japanese so we have served an oriental cole slaw (or a regular one if desired). Fruit salads work along with the theme. There is a mango salsa out there, pineapple cake, My husband always serves SPAM with a sweat and sour sauce too. That is a Hawaiian favorite. There are tons of things you can serve and truthfully you can't go wrong. Just serve a good meat and maybe a couple regional dishes and the rest can be what ever you like.
Now there are the drinks. One year I served Blue Hawaiians but that got really expensive since it is mostly alcohol. There are Mia Tias but they can be pretty strong with Rum. My biggest hit was Rum slush. It is great because it has coconut rum and pineapple which are flavors you are looking for but you serve the slush with 7up over it to it helps expand the alcohol further. I also made a punch bowl for those non alcohol drinkers.
1-12oz can frozen Lemonade
1-12oz can orange juice
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 cups of strong tea
3 cups of pineapple juice
4 cups water
2 cups of coconut rum
Mix together and freeze.(you need to freeze for min 24 hours) when serving the drink pour 7up over the top.
This is a great beverage for a luau and a hot summer party.
Good luck with your party. I hope I have helped you out.
i'm thinking realy watch the ads for non perishable stuff when it's on sale. chips, sodas, juice boxes (for the little ones), sodas-get them on sale and hide them away. as for alcohol-i'm thinking so long as you provide some kind of tropical mixers (fruit punch, coconut based something...) you could just go with whatever liquor you normaly provide (if you drink beer or wine watch for the sales on that as well).
