"The White House specifically wanted a Samoan knife twirler"

[Clio the Leo]

WH luau takes shape
By CAROL E. LEE | 06/24/09 6:10 PM

Preparations are well underway for Thursday night's first-ever White House luau, set to showcase the traditions of President Obama’s home state.

Slabs of wood were being cut and painted on the North Portico Wednesday, where vegetables were also being chopped and steaks prepped. On the South Lawn, tents have gone up. And a stage was being set for the hula dancers, fire-burning knife twirlers and a 10-by-4 foot pahu, the sharkskin-covered traditional Polynesian instrument.

President Obama, who grew up in Hawaii, is expected to host about 2,500 people on Thursday for the luau-themed annual picnic for members of Congress, staff and their families. The first family is also expected to attend.

And from the looks of things so far, it is shaping up to be an eye-popping affair.

In addition to the predictable term “Aloha,” White House staffers were writing the words “Dunking Booth” in green paint on freshly-cut wooden signs Wednesday afternoon. According to one of them, Social Secretary Desiree Rogers said she wanted to give the signs a Gilligan’s Island feel.

The luau will feature a menu of Hawaiian cuisine – roast pork, dried fish, poi – all prepared by the state’s renowned chef, Alan Wong, who flew in 84 pounds of macadamia nuts and 130 pounds of salted salmon from the island state. Wong has been at the White House whipping up some 1,200 eggs, 200 pounds of tilapia, 4,400 Manila clams, 600 pounds of red snapper, 650 pounds of pork and 185 racks of lamb.

For the entertainment portion of the luau, the White House solicited performers from Hawaii’s Tihati Productions’ Polynesian shows to dance and sing on the South Lawn. A troupe of about 20 musicians and dancers will be on stage.

“The White House specifically wanted a Samoan knife twirler,” a representative of the company told the Honolulu Advertiser.

(more)
http://www.politico.com/politico44/perm/0609/oh_poi_ba77fe36-960c-46aa-a45d-ebc0a99970a3.html

(I fully admit that I ONLY created this OP because I knew it might be my only chance in 8 years to use the phrase, "Samoan knife twirler.")

JACKEENS!!!! Get them picture posting fingers ready!!!!!! I will NOT be satisfied until I see the FOLLOWING people in loud floweredy shirts.... Barack Obama .... Joe Biden ..... Rahm Emanuel ..... Robert Gibbs ...... and I want to see Pelosi in a coconut bra!!!!

[Ian David]

1. Bush liked peanutbutter and honey sandwiches and pizza. n/t

[Clio the Leo]

4. The Politico headline on this when it first came out a fews ago was...

"Brisket is out!"

[Cha]

9. Don't forget pretzels and beer!

No matter how sneaky he was.

[Duke Newcombe]

2. "...Pelosi in a coconut bra!!!!"

I don't think I'll be able to "unsee" that in my mind's eye. Thanks!

[TheWraith]

6. My father would probably get a kick out of that.

He thinks the Speaker is kind of hot.

[PopSixSquish]

19. I Have an Older Gentleman Friend Who Does as Well

he likes the whole "Italian grandmother who will kick your ass" thing about her...

[panader0]

3. Salmon fron Hawaii?

I went from 8th grade thro high school there and I'm pretty sure there are no salmon in Hawaii. Mahi Mahi yeah.

[styersc]

Oddly the Pineapple is a symbol of Colonial New England.

Maybe the president has roots in pilgrim stock.

[styersc]

5. Delete

heavy fingers make for duplicates.

[Cha]

10. I was tending to agree but found this..

It was "introduced"..

http://books.google.com/books?id=aj6soKpGouwC&pg=PA86&lpg=PA86&dq=salted+salmon+from+hawaii&source=bl&ots=QZUK8T7-q-&sig=znDDUwjMWRovksAHfnZFatobHOA&hl=en&ei=GqxCSq7cKKW_twe8z9XyCw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2

[styersc]

13. The book fails to mention my very favorite native Hawaiian fish.

When I visit the islands I troll for "Come on I wanna Lay 'ya".

Don't ask about bait.

[PopSixSquish]

20. Ok, I Just Spit Red Wine all Over My Computer Screen

Damn you...


:toast:

[nini]

16. well, I stand corrected from my post below

I didn't realize this.

interesting :-)

[nini]

15. the fish itself isn't from Hawaii

but it is a dish common there - especially with the Japanese.

[namahage]

31. Probably talking about "lomilomi salmon," which is almost required at Hawaiian luaus.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lomi_salmon

Lomi salmon (more commonly known as lomi-lomi salmon) is a side dish in Pacific island cuisine. It is a fresh tomato and salmon salad, believed to have originated in the Polynesian islands, and common today in Hawai'i. It is typically prepared by mixing raw salted, diced salmon with tomatoes, sweet gentle Maui onions (or sometimes green onion), and occasionally flakes of hot red chili pepper, or crushed ice. It is always served cold. Other variations include salmon, diced tomato, diced cucumber, and chopped sweet onion.

The name lomi-lomi salmon is taken from the method of preparation. The shredding (dicing) and mixing of the salmon is done by massaging the salted fish with other ingredients by hand (lomi-lomi is Hawaiian for "to massage").

Lomi-lomi salmon is a traditional side dish served at Hawaiian lū‘aus. It is said to complement traditional Hawaiian food consisting of sashimi, raw diced ahi tuna, poke, kalua pig, laulau, and poi. Lomi-lomi salmon is a classic and integral part of most Hawaiian parties and gatherings, such as traditional luaus, and can be considered a Hawaiian ethnic food.

[nini]

32. mmmmmmm that looks good

:9

[alsame]

7. Oh, the pics are going to be priceless! What a great idea this was. nt

[Cha]

8. The more I read the bigger I

smiled:D This is so like the Obamas and it's Logical that someday they'd have a luau in the White House..but, it caught me completely off guard! B-)

Imagine the whines to equal the fun they're going to have!:bounce:

The Hawai'ians(native and otherwise) are going to be Over the Moon about this!~

[proud patriot]

11. man it's been too long since I've been to Hawaii

I luv me some roast pork and salmon ..Where's the Mai Tai's ?

[Cha]

17. I love running on the beach at

sunset, boogie boarding, and the flowersB-) If I had to pick only 3.

[proud patriot]

29. just scent of the air , full of Flowers

Snorkling with turtles while listening to the whales sing off in the distance .

Oh my !

[Cha]

33. Next year! I'm moving

back to Kaua'i when I retire. I just got to hang in there one more year!

[grantcart]

12. I hope they are going to keep the Samonan knife twirler for health care negotiations

[nini]

14. I actually know a Samoan Knife Twirler

That guy could dance and it scared the crap out of me every time.

:-)

[Pacifist Patriot]

18. The following has to be the funniest line in the story.

The first family is also expected to attend.

It's their house! Are you going to make them eat hot dogs in the kitchen while the guests have a luau on the South Lawn?

I know, I know. They're talking about Michelle and the girls, but come on. Doh!

[PopSixSquish]

21. They Could Always Ask Rahm to Do It

Oh come on, I can't be the first person to think of this...

[Retrograde]

22. Will there be spam musubi?

Or a plate lunch, maybe with Kalua pork (a food of the gods)? And can I come?

[ellisonz]

23. Plate Lunch > Alan Wong Gourmet

[Uzybone]

24. Showing us that America is more than just about suits, ties and cowboy hats.

[underpants]

25. Exactly-this is pretty damned cool

Obama is if nothing else cool

[ellisonz]

27. It's about forcible annexation...

[Leo The Cleo]

26. I wasn't Invited

After all I've done, I wasn't invited to this event. I am feeling mighty bummed.

[Bonobo]

28. Funny!

(I fully admit that I ONLY created this OP because I knew it might be my only chance in 8 years to use the phrase, "Samoan knife twirler.")

Love that line, Clio. :)

[Clio the Leo]

30. And who can blame him?

I ALSO would an enjoy a Samoan Knife Twirler....



... although perhaps NOT in the same manner the President does. ;)

[RollWithIt]

34. Ok, they will say OMGZ too much money!!!!!! But what did it cost to fly Bush to his ranch?

And get security detail, then fly back.

Essentially. There is no real vacation for Obama. He has no get away. Washington is his home. I would bet 1,000,000,000 dollars the cost of flying Air Force 1 to Crawford Texas with the POTUS onboard is MORE than this party. Not to mention the whole not working thing.