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
Full service DMC - Destination and Events Management company specializing in creative and customized [...]
Surfrider Foundation Kauai is a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to the protection and [...]
Island Style Innovations is a full-service Destination Management Company (DMC) based in Hawaii. With [...]
Hawaii.com is committed to being the Internet's all-inclusive Web site for travel to, from and around [...]
E Hawaii is a premier Destination Management Company providing a fresh service forward approach toward [...]
Nicknamed the "Garden Island," Kauai's stunning natural beauty includes the rugged Na Pali Coast and the [...]
Marketing, media, public relations, & business development firm specializing in Japan & other Pacific [...]
The Royal Coconut Coast Association is a great link to information about Kauai’s convenient Wailua to [...]
Come early and stroll the Plantation's tropical grounds as you enjoy the late afternoon sun or walk [...]
Founded in 1985, and honored by National Geographic as "Hawaii's premier helicopter tour company," Blue [...]
Hawaii Meetings + Events exceeds expectations with innovative experiential programs using premium event [...]
It's a celebration of life on Kauai at Smith's Tropical Paradise Garden Luau. Enjoy the local [...]