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
Courtyard By Marriott Maui Kahului Airport hotel features the latest contemporary Courtyard hotel design [...]
Stress-free, affordable & romantic wedding and vow renewal packages on Maui, The Big Island of Hawaii, [...]
At Lappert's Hawaii, we make everything by hand from scratch using only the finest ingredients. From our [...]
The vacation residences featured in the Private Paradise Villas boutique collection serve as Your Own [...]
Opened in 1971, Kula Botanical Garden was developed by Warren and Helen McCord. The garden is located on [...]
Explore the road less traveled at Hana-Maui Resort Nestled along the famed Road to Hana—a 64-mile [...]
Located on world-famous Kaanapali North Beach, Honua Kai Resort & Spa is Maui's newest luxury resort. [...]
Located in Sunny South Maui just across the street from a wide stretch of Maui's beautiful and [...]
Once the beloved retreat of Hawaiian ali‘i, or royalty, the cherished coastal sanctuary of Kapalua Bay [...]
Aloha from Maui's Happy little wedding company! We are small by choice and different by design. Our [...]
Experience a Maui Pineapple like no other. Nothing is as synonymous with the Hawaiian landscape and [...]
Oceanfront, fully-furnished one and two bedrooms. 45 steps to the beach. Sunsets right in front of you. [...]