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
Kilohana Plantation is a historic landmark and premier visitor attraction offering visitors and locals a [...]
Greenwell Farms legacy began in 1850 when Henry Nicholas Greenwell first set foot on the fertile soil of [...]
Paradise Helicopters is a locally-owned and operated helicopter tour company offering air adventures [...]
Visit our beautiful Kona Coffee Estate overlooking Kailua Bay and sample our "Crack-u-lated kona [...]
Experience Oahu's most authentic Hawaiian luau at the Polynesian Cultural Center’s Ali‘i Luau. Set [...]
Open since 1974 and located in Kula, Maui this winery produces wines made from grapes, pineapple, and [...]
Our 8 acre Alpaca Farm Estate is located on the beautiful slopes of Haleakalā National park. Come feel [...]
In the Upcountry region of Maui, nestled on the slopes of Haleakala (House of the Sun), is the mystical [...]
Come early and stroll the Plantation's tropical grounds as you enjoy the late afternoon sun or walk [...]
State of the art working goat dairy with over 25 cheeses including 11 National Award winners. Daily [...]
We raise Japanese Ezo Abalone, using pure deep sea water. Abalone is one of the most precious seafood in [...]
Aloha! Maverick offers VIP-level service and has the worlds largest and youngest fleet of ECO-Star [...]