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
You cannot leave Kauai without an authentic luau experience and, to get one you need only visit us at [...]
Waimea Plantation Cottage, a beautiful island resort with 59 one- to five-bedroom authentic, heritage [...]
Azure water, sun-drenched beaches, grass-skirted hula dancers and, of course, drinks served in coconuts. [...]
Tasting Kauai offers three food tours that explore the North Shore, South Shore and East Side. All tours [...]
Aloha! Welcome to the Kauai (Na Pali, Waimea) Self-Guided Driving Tour Buckle up for a tropical [...]
Encounter the golden beaches of Ko‘a Kea Hotel & Resort, an upscale boutique oceanfront property in [...]
This 216-room beachfront resort is nestled across ten landscaped acres next to the scenic Wailua River. [...]
Surfrider Foundation Kauai is a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to the protection and [...]
Kalapaki Sunset Catamaran Cruise Join the legendary Kauai Beach Boys aboard our new 50-foot catamaran on [...]
Here at the Kauai Coffee Estate, you’ll have the opportunity to stroll through our coffee orchard, [...]
Worldwide delivery. Tropical plants, leis, and flowers shipped FX to U.S. Flowers for every occasion, [...]
Find out for yourself why we are recommended by Conde' Nast Traveler, The Essential Guide to Kauai, [...]