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
No trip to Hawaii is complete without witnessing Kauai’s sacred Napali Coast. This stunning stretch of [...]
Kauai Island Brewing Company, Kauai’s oldest Brewery has been serving great, local, hand-crafted brews [...]
Kauai Sea Tours offers catamaran snorkel, sunset dinner cruises and raft adventures explore the world [...]
Common Ground is a creative campus on the North Shore of Kauai. We strive to find common ground through [...]
Lihue Airport Lei Greeting. Authentic, Fresh Flower Greeting Upon Arrival On Kauai. Optional Photo. [...]
Encounter the golden beaches of Ko‘a Kea Hotel & Resort, an upscale boutique oceanfront property in [...]
Located within the picturesque Princeville community on the island of Kauai, the Pahio neighborhood and [...]
Chef Zack Sato creates an array of delightful preparations featuring locally-grown, organic produce and [...]
Kuhio Shores Oceanfront Condos are located on the sunny South Shore at Poipu Beach, juststeps from the [...]
The Lodge at Kukui`ula is a collection of luxury homes in Poipu on Kauai. These Club Cottages, Club [...]
Hawaii.com is committed to being the Internet's all-inclusive Web site for travel to, from and around [...]
Makana Charters is the only Na Pali tour company offering personalized or private morning and afternoon [...]