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
In the Upcountry region of Maui, nestled on the slopes of Haleakala (House of the Sun), is the mystical [...]
Aloha from Maui, the most dreamed of spot on Earth! There is no place in the world that can compare to [...]
Aloha from Maui's Happy little wedding company! We are small by choice and different by design. Our [...]
We are a team of professional photographers dedicated to capturing your special moments. Whether it's a [...]
Originally built in 1940, Kapalua’s Cliff House was once a facility for the managers of the historic [...]
Founded in 1985, and honored by National Geographic as "Hawaii's premier helicopter tour company," Blue [...]
Resting on a sandy beachfront amid 11 acres of tropical gardens in the heart of the Kaanapali Resort [...]
Our 8 acre Alpaca Farm Estate is located on the beautiful slopes of Haleakalā National park. Come feel [...]
Situated on 40 acres on Ka’anapali Beach, this resort is an authentic Hawaiian experience set in [...]
As the sun sets across famed Kaanapali Beach, beating drums and the call of a conch shell signal the [...]
For over 20 years, Maui Ocean Center has operated with one mission at its core —fostering [...]
Haleakala Ecotours offers amazing tours of Haleakala National Park, Upcountry Maui, and Hana. Our luxury [...]