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
Named Maui’s ‘Restaurant of the Year’, Fairmont Kea Lani’s highly acclaimed signature restaurant [...]
Lanai City Bar & Grill is a fresh, flavor-forward New American restaurant in the historic Hotel Lanai, [...]
The Eating House 1849 pays homage to Hawaii’s vibrant culinary heritage, using what was available from [...]
Experience one of the best restaurants on the island and enjoy farm-to-table oceanfront dining from the [...]
The Veranda is the hottest spot for the trendy Honolulu crowd as well as hotel guests searching for the [...]
Every day at 2:20 pm, guests gather around Hawai'i's only water performance venue - the magnificent PCC [...]
Reflecting on Peter’s personal style, the restaurant combines the feel of a neighborhood bistro with [...]
As the sun sets across famed Kaanapali Beach, beating drums and the call of a conch shell signal the [...]
Here at the Kauai Coffee Estate, you’ll have the opportunity to stroll through our coffee orchard, [...]
It’s easy to feel drawn to THE GROVE Restaurant & Bar at THE MODERN HONOLULU. Arbors, bougainvillea [...]
Pāʻina Waikiki, a unique dinner party luau where the vibrant stories of Waikiki's legendary eras come [...]
Gaylord’s offers one of Kauai’s most beautiful settings for lunch, dinner or Sunday brunch. Located [...]