Lūʻau
Scroll to Continue
Lūʻau of Hawaiʻi
One of the most festive experiences to be had on a visit to the Hawaiian Islands is a lūʻau – a Hawaiian feast featuring lively music and vibrant cultural performances from Hawaiʻi and greater Polynesia.
History of the Lūʻau
The first feast in Hawaiʻi resembling a modern-day lūʻau was probably held in 1819. Before then, the kapu system of restrictions, religion and resource management separated men and women at mealtimes, even in times of celebration. Other names for these feasts are ʻahaʻaina or pāʻina, but over the course of time, the nickname lūʻau – a reference to the taro leaves at the core of many popular dishes – stuck.
Two centuries later, lūʻau are still being celebrated. But it is important to note that despite the name and its Hawaiian roots, not all food or entertainment at a lūʻau today is Hawaiian. A contemporary lūʻau in Hawaiʻi reflects our multi-cultural society. Food at a family lūʻau is as diverse as the various branches of the family tree. Entertainment at a visitor lūʻau often includes dances and music from other Polynesian cultures.
Popular Lūʻau Dishes
- Poi: Pounded taro plant root; a starch meant to be eaten with everything.
- Kālua Pig: Pork prepared in an imu (underground oven) and shredded.
- Laulau: Meat wrapped in lūʻau (taro) leaves and steamed, traditionally prepared in an imu.
- Haupia: Coconut pudding.
- Poke: A term that literally means to cut into pieces, this newly global delicacy is traditionally prepared with raw fish, shoyu (soy sauce), green onions, kukui nut (candlenut), and limu (seaweed).
Find a Lūʻau to Attend
Where to Experience a Lūʻau
At CocoNene, we create authentically fun products that celebrate home, ʻohana and Hawaiʻi's unique [...]
Waikiki’s only oceanfront dinner show is a culinary and sensory celebration, commemorating Hawaiian [...]
As the premier farm to cup coffee company in Hawai'i, we are focused on creating the ultimate experience [...]
KTA Super Stores is a homegrown, locally owned family grocery chain, proudly serving Hawai‘i Island [...]
Established in 1977, Big Island Candies is home to Hawaii’s finest cookies, chocolates and [...]
Our abalone are served up live, grilled abalone, and in a variety of abalone-centric menu options [...]
Noeau is home to over 100 local small businesses both Native Hawaiian and kamaaina. You will find a [...]
Our 8 acre Alpaca Farm Estate is located on the beautiful slopes of Haleakalā National park. Come feel [...]
On the island of Oahu in the heart of Waikiki International Market Place creates a retail, dining and [...]
Aloha! Our Maui Tea Farm is Maui, Hawai'i’s first and only tea farm and a local, family-run small [...]
Green Point Nurseries, Inc. is a Hawaii grower/shipper/wholesaler providing services with Hawaiian [...]
Welcome back to simpler times when Hawaiian celebrations were family Luau — festive dress, freshly [...]