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
Nestled on a quarter mile of white sand beach. Provides an irresistible combination of Hawaiian [...]
Founded in 1985, and honored by National Geographic as "Hawaii's premier helicopter tour company," Blue [...]
Poipu Shores is conveniently located oceanfront on Kauai's sunny south shore within the world famous [...]
Just steps away from beautiful Kalapaki Beach, Banyan Harbor offers one and two bedroom condominium [...]
Nestled in the heart of Kauai, between the Wailua River and the majestic Na Pali Coast, discover 1 Hotel [...]
Here at the Kauai Coffee Estate, you’ll have the opportunity to stroll through our coffee orchard, [...]
A luxury resort located in the 450-acre Hokuala community along the Pacific, Timbers Kauai combines [...]
Island of Kauai - Discounted rates on Jeep Wranglers 4WD, convertibles, SUVs, vans and cars from major [...]
Let the light from the flickering tiki torches and the warm tropical breeze set your o’hana spirit [...]
Kuhio Shores Oceanfront Condos are located on the sunny South Shore at Poipu Beach, juststeps from the [...]
Mauna Loa Helicopters has been offering private sightseeing tours over Kauai since 2006, and we recently [...]
Encounter the golden beaches of Ko‘a Kea Hotel & Resort, an upscale boutique oceanfront property in [...]