Skip the poi. It's delish if it's made fresh and by someone who knows what they're doing, but en masse, it comes out like wallpaper paste...

What I learned is make sure to attend the committee meeting. They like to nominate those who are absent ;) You need to have Spam, somehow. I used to live there, and they're big on it. Not really ham, so maybe thinly sliced spam? Annie is 100% correct on poi. No one but tourists eat that junk.

pickles wrapped with cream cheese and ham, sliced into bite size pieces. tea sandwiches, veggies and dip, BBQ mini hot dogs, meatballs, variety of small size party breads.

Never would have thought of spam. Great idea. We are having little smokies-forgot to mention that in my original post. Poi was never in the running. We are not aware of any food restrictions of the guests and with this kind of function it would be difficult to accommodate. We should have enough of a variety that everyone can be satisfied. I believe the caterer is also doing a fish entree.

Sugar and Salt are big in Hawaii. Spam is a staple; it comes in a zillion varieties. Your pupu platter could include Spam. Pieces of poke make good pupu's. You could make a dip and color it purple; voila, "poi". Can you get King's Hawaiian Bread (sweet)for the dinner (sweet)? Will you have Kona coffee? (Costco sells it.) Paper umbrellas for drinks? (More Trader Vic than "Hawaiian", but fun.) Will you great guests with flower lei for the women and ti leaf lei for the men? (You could substitute single blossoms and bobbi-pins for the ladies to pin behind their ears.) Do you have a supply of Hawaiian music to play? Matson Line posters? Ti leaf placemats?

Spam is a must. Here are Spam appetizers—

http://www.spam.com/recipes/category/appetizer

If they have the flowers for ladies' ears, they'll need to know which ear Chi!

;)

I suggest something vegetarian. With 85 people, you have a good chance of having some, and it doesn't look like there's anything for them other than rice and veggies.

Ya the spam its not really meat. LOL..Just joking.

ETA I've seen cans of spam but what is it?

Spam, for sure!

Did anyone see Jimmy Fallon last night? He made like a spam junkie, standing on a Hawaiian street corner, almost in DT's while waiting for his spam dealer.

Mamapinky, spam is made from pork and lots of sodium.

go on pinterest, they have a ton of appetizers. What is your preference, I have a bunch saved

I've always understood that Spam is short for spiced ham...don't know how true it is!

Wow great ideas. I am not involved in decorating, drinks or program but I know there will be leis and some kind of spiked punch with paper umbrellas along with beer, wine, water and soft drinks. We want to keep the appetizers simple-mostly finger foods. I'll check out the recipes for spam. Thanks.

Just saw a news story where they are locking spam up in Hawaii due to thefts. You have to ask for it now, can't just get it on the shelf

I feel bad at how much I laughed at that!

Moonie Thank You. I've heard jokes about spam so I figured it must be pretty bad but if its recommended for a gathering maybe not. But made of pork and high in sodium I'm sure its a **bad** food that tastes good. LOL. I've avoided it so I'll continue I don't want to risk loving it....unless I crash Satines mystery dinner and sneak a taste. Haha

Spam haters gonna hate lol. I can definitely enjoy the occasional fried spam burger with lettuce and fresh grown tomatoes. It does now come in a variety of flavors including BBQ, pepper, bacon, smoked, etc. I have tried the smoked but usually go with original on the very rare occasion that I indulge. Fried with eggs is like a breakfast of ham and eggs.

When I read the title of this, I thought you were going to talk about how you eye-roll with a co-conspirator in a meeting and then you both get tickled over some dumb remark someone made in a meeting. Yeah, I’ve been there. Sorry to go off topic.

How timely! Tonight’s dinner is Scalloped potatoes with Spam. I think Spam has so much more flavor than ham. It’s in the oven, will be ready in 15 minutes, Yum!

kathyG in MI