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
Oceanfront elegance on Kauai in the sunny Poipu Resort area. Luxurious one and two bedroom/2 bath suites [...]
17 Palms Kauai is two vacation rental cottages in a garden setting named by Conde Nast Traveler Magazine [...]
Wayfinder is a new boutique hotel in the heart of vibrant Waikiki, where a hidden oasis reveals an [...]
One bedroom condo at Kaluakoi Villas and Resort on Molokai, with beautiful ocean and golf course views.
Aloha, we manage beautiful Maui properties with exceptional customer service and guest experience. Our [...]
Step into the airy lobby of Aqua Ohia Waikiki Studio Suites and feel the aloha spirit from friendly [...]
These fabulous new townhouses have a spacious, split-level design and large picture windows for dramatic [...]
This 216-room beachfront resort is nestled across ten landscaped acres next to the scenic Wailua River. [...]
Hotel / Condominium offering 17 completely furnished vacation condominiums overlooking Hana Bay and the [...]
Volcano Art Center Gallery is located in the historic 1877 Volcano House Hotel in Hawaii Volcanoes [...]
Destination Residences Hawaii offers an exclusive collection of private vacation homes in seven [...]
Come away to the Cliffs at Princeville, where tropical mountains meet crystal blue waters. Located on [...]