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
Our small group guided tours provide free pickup at Waikiki hotels or Honolulu Pier and take you across [...]
Aloha Motorsports is Hawaii’s largest motorsports rental company with 4 locations on three islands. We [...]
In response to the Covid-19 virus outbreak Original Hawaiian Chocolate has decided to temporarily stop [...]
Kualoa Hawaii is a 4000 acre Private Nature Reserve and working cattle ranch on the island of Oahu. You [...]
Quiora - where the flavors of Italy, the Mediterranean, and the spirit of Hawaii come together. With a [...]
Experience one of the best restaurants on the island and enjoy farm-to-table oceanfront dining from the [...]
Every day at 2:20 pm, guests gather around Hawai'i's only water performance venue - the magnificent PCC [...]
Island of Hawaii - Discounted rates on Jeep Wranglers 4WD, convertibles, SUVs, vans and cars from major [...]
At Lappert's Hawaii, we make everything by hand from scratch using only the finest ingredients. From our [...]
As the sun sets across famed Kaanapali Beach, beating drums and the call of a conch shell signal the [...]
Here at the Kauai Coffee Estate, you’ll have the opportunity to stroll through our coffee orchard, [...]
Alaska Airlines offers low fares and the most nonstop flights between Hawaii and the West Coast. Learn [...]