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
One of Hawaii’s best resorts located on the best stretch of one of the world’s top beaches, Sheraton [...]
Hotel / Condominium offering 17 completely furnished vacation condominiums overlooking Hana Bay and the [...]
Founded in 1985, and honored by National Geographic as "Hawaii's premier helicopter tour company," Blue [...]
Kamaole Sands is one the most popular condominium resorts on Maui. Accommodations are spacious and [...]
Maui Sunset is located on the oceanfront in sunny Kihei, Maui. We are a condominium resort with 10 acres [...]
Nestled on 54 acres, The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua showcases a stunning, AAA Five-Diamond oceanfront [...]
Aloha! Welcome to Hotel Moloka'i, a genuine hideaway from all things mainstream. Located on the exotic [...]
An ideal Maui getaway, Aston at Papakea Resort in Kaanapali is an oceanfront condominium resort that [...]
Located along the spectacular shoreline of Wailea, on the magical island of Maui, Wailea Beach Villas [...]
The award winning Kaanapali Alii, on Maui's famed Kaanapali Beach features one- and two-bedroom [...]
Located on a half-mile stretch of Pa’ipu Beach, the Makena Surf is a perfect choice for a secluded [...]
Azure water, sun-drenched beaches, grass-skirted hula dancers and, of course, drinks served in coconuts. [...]