The Hale Koa Hotel , which means House of the Warrior in Hawaiian , is an Armed Forces Recreation Center (AFRC) resort hotel located on Waikiki Beach and owned by the United States Department of Defense . It sits on the southeast corner of Fort DeRussy on the western end of Waikiki in Honolulu . The hotel has more than one million guests every year, all of whom require the United States Uniformed Services Privilege and Identification Card to lodge at the hotel. Though owned by the DoD, the hotel is entirely self-sustaining, and does not receive any government funding.
30-445: The hotel was originally planned to be built on the site of Battery Randolph in the early 1970s, but the battery proved to be too resilient to demolish. The hotel opened at Waikiki beach on October 25, 1975, with a traditional Hawaiian ceremony. A major expansion came in 1991. The hotel added a new pool, a beverage bar, and a luau garden. Later, the Maile tower was built across the lobby from
60-516: A 1986 interview Beach described his role in shaping private, home based lūʻaus into larger public affairs, where he included entertainment from singers such as Alfred Apaka . Lei (Hawaii) A lei ( / l eɪ / ) is a garland or wreath common in The Pacific Islands of Polynesia and also in Asia ( Philippines ). More loosely defined, a lei is any series of objects strung together with
90-459: A backing such as hala , laʻi , paper, or felt. Each successive row of lei material is overlapped on the previous to create a scale-like effect. Bougainvillea lei and feather hat lei often are made with this method. Kui : pierce, piercing stitch. A method of making a lei by sewing or piercing the decorative material with a needle and stringing it onto a thread. This is probably the style with which most Westerners are familiar. This method
120-587: A form of honor to each other and their gods. The religion of the Native Hawaiians as well as the hula custom is tied into the leis that they wore. Native Hawaiians, who are Polynesian, brought the tradition of lei making and wearing with them to the Hawaiian islands when they arrived. On the first of every May, an event called Lei Day is celebrated to honor the act of lei making and the custom surrounding it. There are many customs and protocols associated with
150-582: A leaf or cloth backing. In Niue the iconic lei is the kahoa hihi which made from strings of tiny, distinctively yellow snail (hihi) shells. Many modern Polynesian celebrations include the giving and receiving of leis in various forms, including recent adaptations of the flower/plant lei in which candy, folded currency bills, rolls of coinage, and even spam musubi are tied into garlands. "Non-traditional" materials such as cloth ribbon, sequins, cellophane wrap, curling ribbon, and yarn are often used to fashion leis in various forms today. Among residents of Hawaiʻi,
180-440: A series or pattern and worn as a wreath or a necklace. The Hawaiian island of Niʻihau is famous for its lei made of tiny gem-like shells ( pūpū ). The eight most common methods of making lei are: Haku : three-ply braid incorporating additional materials. A method of making a lei by using a base material, such as softened tree bark or long leaves, and braiding it while adding the decorative plant material into each wrap of
210-405: A song. A song composed out of affection for an individual is considered a lei . Lei may be open or closed, depending on circumstance. These leis are traditionally constructed using natural foliage. Leis were originally worn by ancient Polynesians and some Asian people as part of custom. They were often used by Native Hawaiians to signify their ranks and royalty. They are also worn as
240-986: A variety of reasons. Most commonly, these reasons include peace, love, honor, or friendship. Common events during which leis may be distributed include graduations, weddings, and school dances. Often the composition of a lei determines its significance. A lei made using a hala fruit , for instance, is said to be connected to love, desire, transition, and change. A lei may be composed of a pattern or series of just about anything, but most commonly consists of fresh natural foliage such as flowers, leaves, vines, fern fronds, and seeds. The most commonly used flowers are those of plumerias , tuberose , carnations , orchids , and pikake , though maile leaves, ferns , and tī leaves are extremely popular as well as traditional among hula dancers . Other types of lei may include sea or land shells, fish teeth, bones, feathers, plastic flowers, fabric, paper (including origami and monetary bills), candy, or anything that can be strung together in
270-461: A window to dry, allowing the natural fragrance to fill the room. This technique is often used in cars as well. In Polynesian cultures , a lei is something that is created by someone and given to another with the intent to decorate that person for an emotional reason—usually as a sign of affection. Common reasons include greeting, farewell, affection or love , friendship, appreciation, congratulation, recognition, or to otherwise draw attention to
300-592: Is a traditional Hawaiian party or feast that is usually accompanied by entertainment. It often features Native Hawaiian cuisine with foods such as poi , kālua puaʻa (kālua pig), poke , lomi salmon , lomi oio , ʻopihi , and haupia , and is often accompanied with beer and entertainment such as traditional Hawaiian music, kanikapila , and hula . Among people from Hawaiʻi, the concepts of "lūʻau" and "party" are often blended, resulting in graduation lūʻau, wedding lūʻau, baby lūʻau, and birthday lūʻau. In ancient Hawaiʻi , men and women ate meals separately, according to
330-502: Is an AFRC resort, it is not open to the general public. Reservations may only be made by: The Survivors' Family Program extends to family members and sponsored guests accompanying authorized users. Eligible users are defined as family members who have suffered a loss of a sponsor in the event of an active duty death regardless of the cause (combat, accident, suicide, illness, etc.) and also may be uniformed personnel. Luau A lūʻau ( Hawaiian : lūʻau , also anglicized as "luau")
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#1732891468016360-470: Is commonly used to string flowers such as plumeria , rose , carnation , etc. Wili : wind, twist, crank, coil. A corkscrew-type twist, as found in a pig's tail and the seed pod of the wiliwili tree. A method of making a lei by winding fiber around successive short lengths of the decorative material. Sometimes base materials such as hala , laʻi , strands of raffia, or even strips of paper are used to make wrapping easier. Haku mele : to braid
390-403: Is made using this method. Hipuʻu / nipuʻu : a method of making a lei by knotting the stems of the decorative plant material and stringing the next stem through the knot. It requires a very long stem on the decorative material. Similar to a daisy chain. Humu / humuhumu : sew to a backing, usually using a basting stitch. A method of making a lei by sewing the decorative material to
420-500: The Ilima tower, bringing the total number of rooms to 818. Also constructed was an adults-only pool, a fitness center, a parking garage, and Bibas, a new café located on a porch underneath the Maile tower. The Ilima tower was fully renovated in 2010, as was the Maile tower in 2019, and a new ocean-side pool complex replaced the hotel's original pool. There are several dining facilities on the hotel's beachfront property: Because Hale Koa Hotel
450-408: The braid. Normally used for flowers and foliage with long pliable petioles or stems . Hili : braid or plait with only one kind of material. Most commonly made from three or more strands of supple vine or fern braided together. Hilo : twist, double helix, intertwine. A method of making a lei by twisting two strands together to form a "rope". The popular and simple lei lāʻī ( tī leaf lei)
480-512: The following day the palace grounds were thrown open to the native population, large numbers of whom visited the King and Queen, and partook of a luau (or native feast), prepared for them. A luau was also served up at the residence of Dr. Rooke.” The modern name comes from a food often served at a lūʻau: lūʻau stew , a stew that is made with lūʻau (lit. young taro leaves) and usually consist of octopus ("squid") or chicken, and coconut milk . However,
510-411: The giving, receiving, wearing, storing, and disposing of lei. A story that originated during World War II tells of a hula dancer who dared to give a lei to a US soldier along with a kiss, leading it to become a tradition of lei distribution in modern times. To this day, leis remain a notable aspect of Hawaiian culture. Traditionalists give a lei by bowing slightly and raising it above the heart, allowing
540-544: The guests can be invited to make their own lei to wear. Live music and entertainment are often enjoyed, such as kanikapila style. The instruments used are typically the ukulele , guitar and sometimes drums. There are also often hula dancers. Some credit Donn Beach with the initial popularity and commercialization of lūʻaus within the continental United States. A Life article from 1946 graphically displays one of his famous lūʻaus that he held in Encino, California. In
570-433: The highlight of many lūʻau is the kālua puaʻa , a whole pig that is slow-cooked in an imu ( earth oven ). Another dish that is served is poi , made from the roots of taro . This feast was usually served on the floor, on the mats often decorated with large centerpieces typically made of tī leaves ( Cordyline fruticosa ). Utensils were never present during a lūʻau; everything was eaten by hand. The thickness of poi
600-715: The intent to be worn. Lei of various styles are given as gifts to honour people throughout the Pacific , being presented, for example, to visiting dignitaries, graduates, or to loved ones who are departing. Lei gained popularity in the United States due to the common practice of presenting one to arriving or leaving tourists in Hawaii. Sampaguita leis are also used in the Philippines for religious reason, typically worn to their Anito or religious statues. A lei can be given to someone for
630-504: The islands announcing that eating was free and the kapu had fallen. This is when the lūʻau parties were first created, dinners or smaller gatherings called pāʻina or larger feasts called ʻahaʻaina . The modern name comes from a food often served at a lūʻau goes back at least to 1856, when so used by the Pacific Commercial Advertiser. It referenced the wedding celebration of King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma: “On
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#1732891468016660-455: The islands, while others settle for artificial lei , maitais , and a poolside atmosphere. To have a lūʻau-themed party, it is essential to have an open area, such as a backyard, because lūʻau are celebrated under large tents in outdoor areas. Also a lei is a very common item in a lūʻau. A lei is a necklace made of plant material such as flowers, ferns, ti leaves , or kukui nuts (polished candlenut shells). At lūʻau-themed parties,
690-431: The lei measured 5,336 feet (1,626 m) in length, more than a mile. Notable Hawaiian artisans of feather lei (lei hulu) making include Mary Louise Kekuewa , and Johanna Drew Cluney . All of the major islands celebrate Lei Day, and each island is symbolized in pageantry by a specific type of lei and a color. The old custom for welcoming guests in the Philippines is by giving a flower necklace made of sampaguita,
720-401: The most popular occasions at which nā lei can be found are birthdays, graduations, weddings, funerals, retirement parties, and bridal showers. It is not uncommon for a high school or college graduate to be seen wearing so many nā lei that they reach their ears or higher. On May 1 each year, Hawaiians celebrate " Lei Day ", first conceived in 1927 by poet Don Blanding . At the time, Blanding
750-423: The musician's music stand or microphone stand. Lei should never be thrown away casually, or tossed into the trash. Traditionally they should be returned to the place they were gathered, or if that is not possible, they should be returned to the earth by hanging in a tree, burying, or burning. A lei represents love, and to throw one away represents throwing away the love of the giver. Many types of lei can be left in
780-416: The recipient to take it, as raising the hands above another's head, or touching the face or head, is considered disrespectful. By tradition, only open lei are given to a pregnant or nursing woman. If due to allergies or other reasons a person cannot wear a lei which has just been given (for instance a musician who would tangle the lei in their guitar strap), the lei is displayed in a place of honor , such as
810-575: The recipient. In Samoa , similar garlands fashioned of entire flowers, buds, seeds, nuts, plant fibers, leaves, ferns, seashells, or flower petals are called "asoa" or "ula", while single flowers or clusters worn in the hair or on the ear are called sei . In Tahiti such garlands are referred to as "hei" and in the Cook Islands they are called an "ei". Tongans are known for creating unique "kahoa" leis made of chains of flat, crescent or triangular arrangements made of flower petals and leaves sewn onto
840-422: The religious kapu (taboo) system which governed the way of life of Native Hawaiians in every aspect. Commoners and women were not allowed to eat foods that were rarely eaten or foods that were only served during special occasions. However, in 1819, King Kamehameha II performed the act of eating with the women, thus ending the kapu , and entering the period called the ʻAi Noa . Messengers were then sent over
870-524: Was employed by the Honolulu Star Bulletin , and he shared his idea with columnist Grace Tower Warren, who came up with the phrase, "May Day is Lei Day". The Hawaiian song , "May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii" was composed in 1927 by Ruth and Leonard "Red" Hawk. At the 81st Annual Mayor's Lei Day Celebration at Kapiolani Park in 2008, Honolulu set the record for the World's Longest Lei. Unofficially,
900-486: Was often identified by the number of fingers needed to eat it: "three-finger" poi has the thinness of applesauce; "two-finger", thickness of pudding , or the thickest, "one-finger poi" often non-diluted and non-fermented freshly pounded taro called paʻiʻai . A traditional lūʻau consists of food such as: Lūʻau-themed or Hawaiian-themed parties vary in their range of dedication to Hawaiian traditions. For example, some extravagant affairs go so far as to ship food from
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