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
For it’s written in the stars. Inspired by the Kilolani, to help you seek balance within. Premiering [...]
At Lappert's Hawaii, we make everything by hand from scratch using only the finest ingredients. From our [...]
Inspired by ancient Hawaiian traditions, therapies at The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua Spa embrace [...]
In the Upcountry region of Maui, nestled on the slopes of Haleakala (House of the Sun), is the mystical [...]
Aloha! Our Maui Tea Farm is Maui, Hawai'i’s first and only tea farm and a local, family-run small [...]
Housed in a 1902 Plantation Manager's home, the Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum offer self guided tours [...]
As the sun sets across famed Kaanapali Beach, beating drums and the call of a conch shell signal the [...]
Lā Kāhea Community Farm, nestled in the heart of Maui, invites you to discover one-of-a-kind [...]
Founded in 2005, Maui Brewing Company is Hawaii’s largest craft brewery known for quality & [...]
Our 8 acre Alpaca Farm Estate is located on the beautiful slopes of Haleakalā National park. Come feel [...]
FAMOUS ROAD TO HANA & WATERFALLS Relax and let us pamper you as a VIP guest to show you the beauty on a [...]
Spa Montage Kapalua Bay honors the wellness traditions of the local culture by offering a unique spa [...]