• A luau is a great for a sweet 16 birthday party.hawaiian plumeria image by Jeannine Comeau from <a href='http://www.fotolia.com'>Fotolia.com</a>
  
  Many young girls look forward to their sweet 16 birthday party, which marks their coming of age. Theme parties are especially fun and luau themes are great for girls, but can also incorporate the boys they like. Complete with punch, leis, grass skirts, Hawaiian music and tropical foods, throw a sweet 16 luau party your 16-year-old will never forget.
  
  

Decorations

• Decorations are essential for setting the luau theme. Use light and bright colors such as yellow, pink and orange. Hang tropical lights and luau lanterns above the dance floor. Arrange inflatable or artificial palm trees around the area and play soft, beach or island music. Provide guests with leis, grass skirts and coconuts cut in half to work as a cup. Tiki torches and a bamboo stick for playing limbo are also nice additions. Place tropical fruit and flower centerpieces on all of the tables with tea light candles.
  
  

Food

• Luau food is a great way to solidify the theme of the party. Serve fruit punch, fruity virgin mixed drinks, grilled fruit kabobs and other Hawaiian-style finger foods like grilled portobello burgers and teriyaki chicken wings. Also offer a variety of tropical fruits such as papaya, mango, starfruit, kiwi and pineapple. For dessert, serve coconut or pineapple upside-down cake with ice cream or tropical fruit sorbet.
  
  

Sweet 16 Traditions

• More-customary sweet 16 traditions such as the candle-lighting ceremony, the tiara ceremony, the father-daughter dance or a video montage can be easily integrated into a luau party as well. Elements of the luau theme, such as using ocean-scented candles, playing Caribbean or Hawaiian music during the father-daughter dance or replacing a tiara with a handmade fresh flower lei can tie the traditions and luau them together.