Because of Covid we had almost no luaus until mid-April….when SoCal’s desire to party suddenly exploded! Then we had the challenge of training a very large staff of new workers, since we had lost nearly everyone during 2020’s pandemic. It was a pretty sharp learning curve, but our new workers did their best and we successfully pulled off 197 luaus in the next 8 months. We ended the year having put together more luaus than we have ever done. We are exhausted and ready for the slow season!
Because of Covid, nearly all of our December luaus cancelled, so we were free to perform for our church's Covid-safe Drive-by Christmas Party. Our grand-daughter, accompanied by the Chief, warmed the hearts of over 200 people who drove up to our house to see the show. We decorated our front yard with a Mele Kalikimaka theme, and encouraged folks to take an Almond Joy bar (with some hand sanitizer) on a curbside table.
Not only are we having more luaus than ever, but we have been doing a wedding nearly every weekend. It is amazing how many memorials we do, and of course big milestone celebrations for people, as well as more and more swanky corporate events! The pressure is on, because we know that each luau is a very BIG deal to our client. They are inviting the most important people in their lives and they expect us to sweep them off their feet. Maril loves the challenge!
Panesi Afualo was the lead musician for the Islanders back in the day! He was an amazing guitarist and lead vocalist, wrote and arranged songs for us, and accompanied all of the dances with live music. He was a masterful emcee who always had guests roaring with laughter. He was a self-taught guitarist who started his musical career with a garage band in Santa Ana California, back in the 60’s. He went to BYU-Hawaii where he played volleyball and was voted MVP of the National Championship Tournament. To make ends meet, he worked at the Polynesian Cultural Center where he became the lead musician for the their famous night show. After graduation his sister, Susiana, hired him as the lead musician for her Islanders show, which kept him busy for the next 30 years. When we realized that customer's often didn't have the budget for a full band, he recorded all of the parts for his music, part by part, into his synthesizer, and he became a one-man band. Our kids affectionately called it the Pan Band. Panesi trained his children musically and often brought them along to back him up. He was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, but continued performing for us for another 14 years while he battled the cancer. His last show was only a few weeks before he passed in the summer of 2015. He is a legend in our family and in our business.
We thought we were pretty creative when we came up with our "Fiji Foto Booth". So, we were totally surprised when we arrived at the airport in Fiji this month, and they had their own Fiji photo op wall (and floor) mural for travelers to snap a photo. It was incredibly creative. By placing your hand on the wall, where the post is painted, and setting our luggage on the floor, where the bridge is painted, It looks like we are really on a suspended bridge! #PhotoBooth #LuauEntertainment
Here are some of our favorite shots taken at luaus in the last couple of years!
In 2017 Islanders Luau had 159 events at venues all over SoCal. Here are some fun pictures and videos from a handful of those tropical events!
Islanders Luau has been our family business for almost 50 years. Our roles have changed, but everyone in the family still gets involved--because we love what we do!
