The Grossmann Family

This is the web site of Ernie & Darlene Grossmann

We're a military family, happily serving in the Air Force for over 18 years.

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Hale Koa Luau

The Hale Koa Hotel is a 50+ acre resort located on the beaches of Waikiki on the island of O'ahu (Honolulu, HI) that caters exclusively to Department of Defense employees (military and civilian). During a recent TDY to Hickam AFB, HI, I had the opportunity to attend a Luau hosted at the Hale Koa (I was staying at a different hotel). Hale Koa is Hawaiian for "Hero Warrior".

I only have one other Luau with which to compare, that is the one at Paradise Cove (western coast of O'ahu). They both have similar openings, with activities, photos, and history lessons. Paradise Cove was a bit better in this aspect. The Luau feast itself was a bit better at Paradise Cove, mostly because it is a commercial enterprise and they are able to pay for more employees and charge customers accordingly (the Hale Koa Luau is about 1/2 the cost).

But where the marked difference resides between the two is the show. While the Paradise Cove Luau was entertaining, the Hale Koa was phenomenal. It was a history of much of Polynesia, going from Hawaii, to Tahiti, to New Zealand, to Samoa. Being a military-focused hotel, the Luau concluded with a memorial to those fallen Airmen, Marines, Sailors, and Soldiers that have gone before us ending with the entire Luau singing Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the U.S.A."

Below are some photos/video of the show.

Tree climbing demonstration.	The Story of how fire came to the Islands....Pt 1	The Story of How Fire Came to the Islands...Pt 2
The Story of How Fire Came to the Islands...Pt 3	The Story of How Fire Came to the Islands...Pt 4	The Story of How Fire Came to the Islands...Pt 5
The Story of How Fire Came to the Islands...Pt 6	Dancers from Hawaii	Dancers from Tahiti
Dancers from New Zealand	Dancers from Samoa	The 2011 Firesword Champion (Youth)