Aloha,

After a year of waiting and preparation the torches were lit once again by the Moai at The Tiki Resort in Lake George for the third annual OHANA Luau at the Lake. And once again the event was sold out by an enthusiastic group of fun seeking tikiphiles from around the nation and the world.

Official events began Thursday night when the Paradise Lounge opened for happy hour featuring classic and original cocktails made with liqueurs provided once again by event sponsor Bols. The complex cocktails on the menu were no trouble thanks to the variety of items sent by Bols and additional donated syrups and bitters from Fee Brothers. Then it was time for the kick off party and everyone donned their most retro attire and walked across Canada Street to the bowling alley. There they found plenty of open lanes and competitive Whacky Bowling. After a surprise visit by Elvis the kick-off party ended but many old and new friends continued socializing into the night.

Friday arrived and registration and the entertainment started up in the Paradise Lounge and Whispers Night Club. Cocktails were being served up fast in the lounge and every single one had another stunning event swizzle designed and produced by Royer Corporation. Registration was also buzzing as people picked up their badges and gift bags which included Ohana 2011 glassware from Trader Vic's, product samples from Dole Foods, and a variety of swizzles, cards and matchbooks from tiki hot spots like Frankie's Tiki Room and Forbidden Island. Everyone was admiring the signature event mug, "Woody," which was designed once again by Squid.

Pablus and his uke warmed up the crowd and then 9th Wave took the stage to get things rocking with popular favorites and new material from their sixth album, "Victory at Sunset." Then it was time for a break on the stage so the crowd headed out for the first round of room crawling of the night. On the way out, anyone who needed a snack stopped by the Velveteen Lounge Kitsch-en tent to grab free hot dogs, spam sliders and other unique treats. After enjoying the hospitality of the Boston Tea-ki Party, the Painkiller Lounge and, WAITIKI attention returned to the stage and the sounds of Bamboo Saxotica. After another lively show Carl "Granite Tiki" Ayotte and his band ended the evening with a fantastic arrangement of The Lion Sleeps Tonight with vocals by Suzanne of Forbidden Island. Then it was time for more room crawling in a bomb-ed shelter, a Christmas party and more.

As Saturday dawned a warm rain steadily soaked into the ground. But the Moai would not be daunted and the decision was made to delay the start by an hour and then go outdoors. It seemed crazy but by sheer force of will, the strength of the Aloha spirit, and weather radar the clouds parted and the party spilled out onto the pool deck and lawn of The Tiki Resort.

The Ohana Silent Auction was once again an assortment of rare items that drew bidders immediately. Several lots of donated items from Frankie's Tiki Room were hotly pursued as were donated items from new event sponsors Cats Like Us and PopTiki of Colorado. One of the most stunning items was a custom carved Tiki Resort purse by DeTiki.

All around the auction was a tent city of vendors, random carnival games to amuse people of all ages and free samples from Kona beer and Ryan & Wood Distilleries. In addition to the already familiar and popular Folly Cove Rum, everyone was eager to try the new straight rye whiskey from Gloucester. Competition at the Dole Cocktail Contest was fierce as known and unknown mixologists vied for top marks and a hand carved trophy. Our newest judge, Moss from Frankie's Tiki Room, joined Suzanne from Forbidden Island and representatives from Ryan & Wood and Dole Foods to sort through the contenders.

The mood and the weather continued to brighten as a few thunderstorms threatened and then went around Lake George. The masked mechanics of mayhem, Go! Tsunami, took the main stage in the mid-afternoon and by then the sun was warm enough for the band to toss aside their instruments and end the set by diving off the stage into the pool as a group. WAITIKI's performance by the pool was a memorable one as they returned to their quartet roots and played some crowd favorites.

Then the word went out that the pigs had arrived and with everyone enjoying plates of food the evening continued. As the crowd gathered on the pool deck to the sounds of Pearls of Paradise the Ohana Mystery Bowl auction began. Bidders had to compete for four bowls donated by Trader Vic's including two hard to find conch shell shaped Rum Giggle bowls. As always the bowls came complete with a mystery drink fashioned by Suzanne using donated materials from Bols and Fee Brothers. Winning bidders were greeted by an unusual assortment of mystery dancers delivering the bowls including a large group of brightly colored monkeys.

After the crowd settled down it was time for the show and as the sun set the hula dancers came out on stage while torches reflected on the water of the pool.

As the evening ended and people gathered to socialize or watch the drive-in movies, everyone could be heard saying, "see you next year!"

And we hope yo see you next year also. June 21-24, 2012. For updates visit us at www.luauatthelake.com and join our mailing list. Or become a fan of Ohana Luau at the Lake on Facebook: www.facebook.com/OhanaLuau.

See you at the Lake!

—Tagata Maori Rogorogo