Oh, We're Going To A Hukilau

The Hukilau 2010

Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

"A Hukilau is a traditional Hawaiian festival held in the fishing villages of old. A large net is cast into the sea to herd fish then the villagers slowly pull the net to the shore. The feast that follows is meant to emphasize the spirit of family and community, or 'ohana. Our mainland Hukilau is a metaphorical net thrown out to the entire world, bringing lovers of Polynesian Pop or Tiki culture together for our own special celebration."

I'm on the mailing list for this yearly festival and it is a dream of mine to be able to attend. I may not make it this year, but I will definitely be there next year! This year's events, to be held June 10th—13th, include the Master Mixologist Cocktail Challenge, the Sarong-O-Rama Fashion Show, Marina the Fire Eating Mermaid, the Hukilau Tiki Art Show, the Tiki Treasures Bazaar, the Jeff "Beach Bum" Seminar, parties galore and a lot more!

I have attended several hukilaus in my lifetime. We held several at Paradise Cove in Malibu, California when my family lived there in the 60s and, of course, I went to one in Hawaii with second husband. One day I'll have to pull out those pictures and scan them in to share with you.

The Hukilau Song was written by Jack Owens in 1948 after attending a luau in Laie, Hawaii. You can find one older version in my playlist and sing-a-long, the lyrics are below. Come on, you know you want to. Just fire up my Mixpod, pretend you're on a beautiful island in Hawaii, the sun is shining, ocean breezes are calling your name, the villagers are beginning to pull in the net and you're getting ready for a feast to begin!

Oh, we're going to a hukilau
A huki, huki, huki, huki, hukilau
Ev'rybody loves a hukilau
Where the laulau is the kau kau at the big luau

We'll throw our nets out into the sea

And all the ama ama come-a swimming to me

Oh, we're going to a hukilau
A huki, huki, huki, huki, hukilau
Ev'rybody loves a hukilau
Where the laulau is the kau kau at the hukilau

What a beautiful day for fishing
In the old Hawaiian way
All the hukilau nets are swishing
Down in old Laie Bay
Oh, we're going to a hukilau
A huki, huki, huki, huki, hukilau
Ev'rybody loves a hukilau
Where the laulau is the kau kau at the big luau

There now don't you feel better? Did you escape the winter blues for a minute? To find out more about this year's Hukilau in Fort Lauderdale click here. Who knows? Maybe I've see you there!

Since we're still waiting for our beach weather to return, I decided that visions of a Hukilau would be perfect to post for Outdoor Wednesday.

Aloha!