When you are in Hawaii, one of the things you must participate in is a Luau. So when my Mom and Sister came to visit me and Hawaii in August, that seemed the best time (and last chance) to join a Luau. My Mom and Sister were staying at a Military Hotel in Waikiki called the Hale Koa (translated as the Warrior's House). The Hotel had several things including a jewelry store, Barber Shop, and a Post Exchange. What upset me was the fact that I didn't have to spend a whole lot of money getting stuff at the malls and stuff when I could have just went down to the Hale Koa and used there services because of my Dad's Military service. . . Oh well!

On Monday, August 10, 1998, I went down to the Hale Koa to join my family to the Hale Koa Luau. It began at 5:30pm in the garden oasis (their fancy little name for the grassy area between the hotel and the ocean). They first put aloha leis on you (claim shell leis, not the flowers) and then quickly take your picture with one or two of the performers (which you will not see, I looked real goofy on them). After the pictures, everybody quickly goes to the cocktail bar where we get our complementary two drinks or one exotic drink (I got a Mai Tai).

After the drink, everybody walked over to the Imu (underground cooking oven) to observe how they cook Pig in the ground. It was a pretty impressive site, which basically means I can't explain how they did it. Unfortunately because this was a Military Hotel, we were not allowed to eat the pig they cooked in the ground for health reasons; our pig would be prepared by the Hotel's Kitchen. But at other Luaus, you do eat pig cooked from a Imu.

After the little show on how to cook pig from a Imu, we were seated and served dinner. the Menu included: Lomi Lomi Salmon, Kalua Pig, Teriyaki Beef, Shoya Chicken, Mahi Mahi, Pineapple, Fresh Fruits, and Poi (yummy).

As soon as we were finished eating, our host, Danny Couch, came out on stage and welcomed us to Hawaii. Danny Couch sang several songs while the hula girls did several different Polynesian dances. Near the end of the show, they had one guy on stage dancing with fire even. Overall, I give the Luau a "Must See" in my book when visiting the islands. Of course, pictures are better than words. . .

After the show, I spent some quality time with my family and then rode on the #8 bus to Ala Moana, transferring on to the #18 bus to the University. The remainder of my evening was spent watching some good ol' TV and bragging to my friends about the Luau.