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
Hawaii Meetings + Events exceeds expectations with innovative experiential programs using premium event [...]
Perched at the ocean’s edge overlooking famed Waikiki Beach, Hula Grill Waikiki presents diners with [...]
Mamahune’s is a retro-inspired tiki bar and restaurant that offers contemporary Hawaiian cuisine, [...]
Providing the Freshest Hawaiian Gifts, Alohawear Uniforms, Delicious Gourmet Gifts Treats and Branded [...]
We print what businesses needs. Full design and printing capabilities. Signs, banner, event displays, [...]
Whether we are teaching a cooking class or preserving the seasons, our mission is to celebrate the [...]
The cuisine is fresh, light, and innovative. The ever-popular Hoku's Ahi Musubi remains on the menu as a [...]
Kualoa Ranch is a ~4,000 acre private nature reserve located on the windward coast of Oahu. It is also a [...]
Tiki's Grill & Bar is a locally owned, hip, casual, retro South Pacific-style restaurant featuring [...]
Named Maui’s ‘Restaurant of the Year’, Fairmont Kea Lani’s highly acclaimed signature restaurant [...]
The Kona Coffee and Tea Company is a single-estate Kona coffee farm, that is family-owned and operated. [...]
Founded in 1985, and honored by National Geographic as "Hawaii's premier helicopter tour company," Blue [...]