Staten Island Sweet 16 features authentic Hawaiian entertainment, lots of ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ at Richmond County Country Club (Photos)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — When the time came time for Gianna Montanti to plan her Sweet 16 birthday bash and select a party theme for the milestone event, it was easy as pie for the astute young adult who has always loved the island of Hawaii.

And of all the vacation destinations she’s visited with her family and friends throughout the years — the Aloha state was her very favorite — hands down.

Gianna recounts so vividly the time she visited Hawaii with her family in the year 2019 when her parents — that’s Stacey and Peter — and grandparents duplicated their honeymoon trip back in 2005 and re-visited and retraced their steps that led to several of their most loved hotels and hot spots.

So, once Gianna came up with the Hawaiian luau idea, the Montanti’s ran with it — that is with the help of assistant Eddie Russo, who offered innovative, fun and fabulous ideas.

BREATHTAKING HAWAIIAN DECOR

And just to make sure Gianna’s birthday party would not be ordinary — but rather extraordinary — the Montanti’s went over-the-top and got super creative with music, costumes, live entertainment and elaborate decor that adorned the Grand Ballroom of the Richmond County Country Club.

“We purchased everything from the traditional straw table chargers etched with banana leaves to real totem poles and totem pole glasses for a welcome Blue Hawaii mocktail,” said the Montanti’s collectively. “All drinks were garnished with colorful mini umbrellas and authentic bamboo straws.”

A few more highlights — and there were many: Live tropical plants and real palm trees all exquisitely arranged by Flowers by Bernard dotted the ballroom that also came festooned with five-foot pink flamingos — and smaller green flamingos — that were scattered throughout.

The center of the ballroom window was adorned with a hand crafted 5-foot pineapple tree also made by Flowers by Bernard, which was surrounded by an array of innovative appetizers, entrees and desserts.

GUESTS AND GREETERS

Guests arrived bedecked in a colorful assortment of classic Hawaiian attire from brightly colored shirts and mini and maxi dresses to skirts and vibrant print tops — all the while sipping high-style martinis and signature Hawaiian crafted cocktails.

Gianna’s mom Stacey donned a traditional orchid lei and Gianna a traditional Haku lei worn as a head crown — fresh flowers that were flown in from Honolulu especially for the festive occasion.

And teens even had their very own Tiki bar replete with a vast array of non-alcoholic Hawaiian-themed frozen drinks such as Pina coladas, mudslides, strawberry daiquiris — and then some.

Upon entering the Hawaiian luau, revelers were welcomed by a Hawaiian greeter who saw fit to place an authentic hand painted KuKui Nut Lei around the neck of party goers.

FYI: The leis came all the way from a Hawaiian boutique that was familiar to the Montanti’s from their last trip to the Big Island.

THE WELCOMING TOAST AND SPEECH

Gianna’s dad Peter offered the toast and welcome speech that came directly from his heart and explained the deep rooted meaning of the placing of the lei. Peter in fact was wearing a lei that he received 18 years ago on his honeymoon.

“Kukui nut leis, also known as candlenut leis, have many meanings in the Hawaiian culture,” he said. “Love, respect, and admiration: A token of a deep bond between people, such as friends, family, or lovers. And Aloha is a gesture of warmth and affection, enlightenment, protection, guidance, and peace…It’s a symbol of the kukui nut tree, which is also the state tree of Hawaii.”

He added: “We wish with this lei to express to you our love and appreciation for being here and celebrating with us.”

He would go on to express that as parents both he and his wife Stacey are proud of all of Gianna’s accomplishments and achievements throughout the years and called to mind Gianna’s first birthday party hosted at the Molly Pitcher Inn in Red Bank, N.J.

“It was a time when we marveled over Gianna’s accomplishments,” he added. “And you can imagine how proud we are now – after 16 years.”

He continued: “Hold fast to your beliefs, continue to excel in your education, keep your generous and kindhearted nature, always willing to step in with a helping hand and keep your faith. God will always be on your side and continue to bless you as you develop into a beautiful, talented and caring and witty young woman…”

AUTHENTIC HAWAIIAN ENTERTAINMENT

But the piece de resistance was no doubt the authentic Hawaiian entertainment by the Hawaiian Luau Entertainment Company that included dance performers from the Polynesian and Hawaiian Islands, in addition to a fire dancer who performed with fire swords on the outside patio of the former Italianate mansion.

Trio entertainment constructed a white cabana more than 20 feet in length inside the ballroom that came etched with white leather couches and tables that were lighted and dressed with palm trees, surf boards and tropical plants — that served as a night spot for teens.

Trio also doubled as the evening’s deejay and lighting specialists illuminated more than a dozen authentic palm trees.

THE EXTENSIVE HAWAIIAN MENU

Manuel Ochoa, executive chef at the Richmond County Country Club, left no stone unturned.

Together with the Montanti’s they developed a Hawaiian menu second to none, inclusive of a suckling pig, a made to order stir fry, pasta stations, raw bar, mashed potato bar, other carving stations, in addition to standard favorites and many other specials served by six uniformed chefs that were stationed around the ballroom.

Dessert dishes consisted of flaming Banana Foster, chocolate fountains and a variety of Hawaiian desserts and a special tropical three-tier cake custom designed by Sweet Sweet Sues in Tottenville.

As revelers exited the ballroom they came face to face with an authentic candy truck that was was parked outside the portico of the club so revelers could help themselves to some sweet treats.

Favors consisted of a keepsake T-shirt for teens that read “Gianna’s Sweet Sixteen,” and canvas tote bags that brimmed with two Hawaiian print beach towels, silk leis — and what else but a pineapple for guests to savor.

Happy Sweet Sixteen, Gianna!