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
Providing deluxe helicopter tours from the Lihue Airport for over 40 years, Island Helicopters is the [...]
Paradise Helicopters is a locally-owned and operated helicopter tour company offering air adventures [...]
Sunshine Helicopters, offering Helicopter Tours of Maui, Kauai and Big Island. Experience the Adventure [...]
Come early and stroll the Plantation's tropical grounds as you enjoy the late afternoon sun or walk [...]
Honoka'a Chocolate Co is located in the historic plantation town of Honoka'a in the S. Hasegawa [...]
Kualoa Hawaii is a 4000 acre Private Nature Reserve and working cattle ranch on the island of Oahu. You [...]
Our goal at The Fresh Shave is to serve the best all–natural and delicious shave ice. We offer a [...]
Kipu Ranch Adventures is an off-road and 4×4 touring operation. We offer tours along the historic Kipu [...]
We raise Japanese Ezo Abalone, using pure deep sea water. Abalone is one of the most precious seafood in [...]
Open since 1974 and located in Kula, Maui this winery produces wines made from grapes, pineapple, and [...]
The Point at Haleiwa is a 60-acre private North Shore estate that is oceanfront with over 1 mile of [...]
Come play in Kauai's lush tropical jungle on an easy to use all terrain vehicle. View rare wildlife and [...]