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
Red Salt’s diverse menu by acclaimed Executive Chef and Kauai native Noelani Planas celebrates fresh [...]
CXI specializes in providing foreign currency exchange at a great rate and with superior customer [...]
At Maui Marketing, we are more than just a marketing agency; we are your partners in success. Born from [...]
CXI specializes in providing foreign currency exchange at a great rate and with superior customer [...]
High above the Kapalua coastline in Hawaii, on the island of Maui, sits The Plantation House Restaurant, [...]
HEPA is a democratic, locally owned group of emergency physicians who cover 12 hospitals in Hawaii. We [...]
Annabel Chotzen is an award-winning motivational speaker, corporate trainer, professional development [...]
The open-air Don the Beachcomber signature restaurant located at the Royal Kona Resort features a prime [...]
The cuisine is fresh, light, and innovative. The ever-popular Hoku's Ahi Musubi remains on the menu as a [...]
Northstar Meetings Group, the premier online platform for business and sports event organizers, planners [...]
We raise Japanese Ezo Abalone, using pure deep sea water. Abalone is one of the most precious seafood in [...]
We focus on regional and global cuisine while creating impactful flavors. Hawaii is a haven for fresh [...]