According to Under The Koa Tree’s website Koa wood is the mahogany of the Hawaiian Islands, it was wood reserved for royalty. It was used for royal canoes, canoe paddles and surf boards. Koa wood handcrafting was watched over by priests in ancient times. It was a wood associated with wealth and well being. Today the trees have experienced extensive damage due to cattle grazing and there are ongoing projects in the islands for reforestation of Koa wood. Native Hawaiians believe Koa will continue to live on and flourish.

You can visit Under The Koa Tree at two locations; Waikoloa on the Big Island and Waikiki Beach Walk on Oahu. Both locations have an extensive and beautiful collection of Hawaiian wood products, paintings, sculpture and treasures. During my visit I purchased a Koa wood game board, which I continue to treasure today.

Their yard has been a work in progress over the last eighteen years according to Bob. Their love of gardening and their love of each other is evident throughout the yard, particularly in viewing and experiencing the charm of Windows, Gretchen’s backyard cottage. Bob spent two months building this delightful cottage from wood he salvaged. This amazing little one room cottage looks like a sweet old fashioned home. The interior contains a reading chair, small table, shelves, and treasures that Gretchen loves. The windows can be thrown open to hear the sounds of birds and for evenings there are electric lights and an old fashioned heater for cool temperatures.

As a writer I was just thrilled to see such a beautiful backyard haven. I would love to create such a paradise for myself. As I sat on the cottage porch I was mesmerized by the beauty of the yard and the sweetness of this cottage Gretchen treasures. On the porch are little touches that are meaningful to Gretchen, things she and Bob discovered on trips or hikes. Bob’s effort in creating this cottage is especially evident in the small details; beautiful windows, old style door knobs, a weathered tin roof, aged weathered wood and beautiful touches that make this cottage a true backyard paradise. As a woman who loves creative spaces I learned wonderful lessons from Gretchen’s cottage; start with what you love, details add warmth and begin with materials that make you feel good. Using these ideas will be the beginning of creating a backyard paradise you’ll long treasure.

 Creativity is key along with the time and effort to make the magic happen. Because I am an island girl at heart friends and family send me tips they find on creating a tropical environment and if  they aren’t sending ideas I’m digging them up on the Internet. Last week my cousin Dawn found a fabulous one. She sent me a link to a DIY set of tropical patio lights that are  beautiful, simple and elegant, no plastic fish or fake shells, nothing but the real deal!

For me a Luau is created best by mood so I begin with simple and elegant options. Music is a key ingredient to any Luau and I have my personal favorites in Hawaiian music, among them Keali’i Reichel, Israel Kamakawiwo’ole  and The Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Masters. The best part is that each of these has listening samples on their respective Amazon page so click away to check out the sounds of the islands.

Island music is wafting through the air and your outdoor patio is looking pretty nice, but decidedly not tropical, so what will brighten it up and give it a Hawaiian isle feel? How about creating some pillows and cushion covers in an authentic Hawaiian pattern from the Hawaiian Fabric Shop? They have an awesome selection of Hawaiian fabrics for every taste. With a plan in mind for covering the patio cushions you realize that you need an infusion of tropical foliage. Home Depot and Lowes are a great place to start. Here you can find a variety of great looking tropical plants and flowers, from potted Orchids that will do well later in your steamy bathroom to gardenias that bring the scent of the islands home with  their sweet smell.  

Little touches make treasured memories so what about table place cards made with a tropical post card or Hawaiian photo placed in a island style frame that your guests can take home to enjoy later, with their personal photo memories of the party. Another idea is a special wine glass that your guests can keep to savor the memory of your special Hawaiian evening.  The possibilities are limited only by your creativity and budget. Now I will grant you that these two particular ideas are not cheapies, but certainly cheaper options do exist and could certainly be implemented. A less expensive option would be using a large shell for each  table place card with a colorful cut out for names glued to the shell. Most of us either have great sea shells from former trips or have a Michaels or JoAnns nearby where bags of great shells can be purchased reasonably.

  A colorful table display could be a grouping of fresh tropical fruits such as pineapple, papaya, starfruit or coconuts. A few silk or regular palm fronds added in with the fruit gives guests an immediate  paradise feel. Candles that are scented with authentic tropical smells add another blaze of tropical feel to the party. I particularly liked that  Island Candle Company is from the Hawaiian Islands, so the candles are authentic and have true island scents. Another great table decor idea is to use large glass jars or bowls and fill them with sand, shells and a pillar candle. Instantly you have an island feel and a soft, beautiful addition to any table.

An absolutely essential element to a Hawaiian Luau is the food and drinks your guests will enjoy. For some great authentic Hawaiian recipes you can visit  Sam Choy’s website. He is a popular Hawaiian chef who has several restaurants around Hawaii. On his personal site there are a variety of island recipes worth a taste! For additional Luau insight and history check out this Wikipedia link to Luau’s. No matter what your party experience level, a Luau is possible with an open mind, a lot of creativity and the time and energy to allow magic to happen.

Photo Credit Flickr Luau Dancer by: Sparky Leigh

Photo Credit Flickr Tropical Fruit Bowl By: opdstudent