MEDIA RELEASE

The tastes and talents of Hawaii will take center stage in the national spotlight Thursday, June 25 as President Barack Obama, the first president from the Aloha State, hosts the first-ever White House luau.

The South Lawn luau is a twist on the annual picnic for members of Congress and their families and will feature the best in contemporary Hawaiian cuisine with a menu created by award-winning chef Alan Wong, whose Honolulu restaurant has been recognized as one of the best in America and the Pacific Rim.

Along with Hawaii’s finest delicacies, the evening will feature Hawaii’s largest entertainment company, Tihati Productions.

The program will include 20 dancers and musicians from Hawaii showcasing the historical and cultural stories of the islands through traditional song and dance, known as hula.

“President Obama is bringing the Hawaii family spirit of ‘ohana’ to the White House and to all Americans through the first White House luau,” said John Monahan, president and CEO of the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau.

Thursday’s luau will spotlight Hawaii’s contemporary cuisine, which is based upon the freshest ingredients from the land and sea and which combines all of the ethnic influences that have contributed so much to Hawaii.

“This event gives us a chance to showcase to all Americans the Hawaiian contemporary cuisine that is based on fresh local ingredients and which blends all of the island’s many ethnic influences,” said Alan Wong, whose Honolulu restaurant was rated No. 8 in the United States by Gourmet magazine.

The White House plans to stream live video from the luau: www.whitehouse.gov/live