2023 Holiday Luau Wrap Up

A big Mahalo to everyone who put in their time and sweat to make the 7th annual HTMC Holiday Luau a huge success! It truly takes a village and there are many steps and hands involved; from the planning sessions, to the sub-committee chairs, to collecting greenery, the set up, the food, the lei’s, the cookies, the entertainment, the generous donations of prizes and raffle gifts, the emcee, the sound, the raffle, the decorating, the tear down, the clean up and hauling away of greenery.

The planning was started months prior and the cookie committee met a few weeks ahead to make the holiday cookies with Hawkins. Next came the greenery crew headed up by Larry L., who gathered invasive’s on four separate days, wet stormy weather and all! John B. handled the Set Up Crew the day before the luau as they erected tents and strung lights and got the clubhouse ready to be decorated by the copious amounts of greenery on Saturday.

Myrtle W. and her food crew spent two days preparing and steaming traditional and veggie laulau’s. Everyone who wanted pitched in to make over forty Ti Leaf lei’s to give to the volunteers. The tents and clubhouse was decorated with greenery and Winona F. made the beautiful table arrangements. Sandy A. was in charge of organizing the cookie contest, which was a hit (to view the 2023 winners CLICK HERE). The Hike Trivia Quiz was created by Blaise S. and the Books and Records Committee, it was a real brain twister (to learn about it and take the quiz CLICK HERE).

At the luau Hawkins B. and Bobbie F. enjoyed greeting everyone and passing out name tags and raffle tickets. Bob T. set up his gear and speakers to create the professional sound! Larry Lee organized the Entertainment from our talented HTMC Members and Friends. Brian F. stepped up to take the mic as our 2023 Emcee and we enjoyed performances by the following; Andrea F. – Classical guitar, Cassie O. – Hula, Zen D. – flute and Saxophone, Jeff G. – Christmas Puppet Show, Dale Y. – HTMC Hike Slideshow. Participants who’s raffle numbers were called out went home with goodies donated by members and organizations listed below.

At the end of the night, the luau participants stayed to help with the tear down process. It is always amazing to see how quickly what we build in days comes down in a hour! Last but not least, on Sunday Pat Rooney took charge of the clean up crew who helped haul away all of the greenery and make the clubhouse spick and span!

As I said, it takes a village! Got inspired and want to volunteer for next years Luau, CLICK HERE!

In the meantime, save the date for the 2024 Holiday Luau: Saturday December 7th!

Mahalo to the 2023 Luau Committee Volunteers and Donors*

Alvin I.
Amanda M.
Andrea F.
Barb B.
Barbara A.
Betsy F.
Blaise S.
Brian F.
Bob T.
Bobbie F.
Carole M.
Cassie O.
David J.
David C.
Domonique G.
Georgia G.
Grant O.
Hawkins B.
John M.
John B.
Judy M.
Julie V.
Karen L.
Larry L.
Liz L.
Malia C.
Mel Y.
Mike A.
Michael K.
Myrtle W.
Naomi K.
Nellie L.
Pat R.
Roy T.
Sabra F.
Sandi S.
Sandy A.
Talbert T.
Victor V.
Wendy L.
Winona F.
Yasuko M.

Mahalo to the organizations below for their donations and support! 

• Livable Hawaii Kai Hui
• Patagonia
• Uloha
• University Press

*Apologies if anyone who volunteered or donated is missing.

Photos in this article by: Dale Y., David J., Hawkins B. and Karen L.