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
Our award-winning tour company is passionately committed to providing you with immersive and [...]
Our small group guided tours provide free pickup at Waikiki hotels or Honolulu Pier and take you across [...]
Pāʻina Waikiki, a unique dinner party luau where the vibrant stories of Waikiki's legendary eras come [...]
Join us for a Waikiki Sunset Cocktail Cruise! See spectacular sunset and city lights views aboard [...]
Where WWII ended with the Surrender of the Japanese Forces. With over six decades of life at sea and [...]
Founded in 1995 as the original nature adventure company on Oahu, we offer the finest Circle Island [...]
The Sunset Luau overlooks the ancient fishponds of 'Anaeho'omalu Bay - As the sun sets over [...]
Join our ʻOhana for an exciting evening under the stars as we take you on a voyage across Ka Moana (the [...]
With sweeping ocean views, tucked beneath the stunning Ko‘olau Mountains, Aloha Kai Lū‘au offers [...]
The background sound of the ocean surf against a soulful steel guitar. A welcome lei and Mai Tai. Tables [...]
Located at 276 Haili Street in historic downtown Hilo, the Lyman Museum and Mission House tells the [...]
It's a celebration of life on Kauai at Smith's Tropical Paradise Garden Luau. Enjoy the local [...]