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
Pleasant Holidays has sent more than 10 million visitors to Hawaii since 1959, featuring value-packed [...]
As the sun sets across famed Kaanapali Beach, beating drums and the call of a conch shell signal the [...]
Pāʻina Waikiki, a unique dinner party luau where the vibrant stories of Waikiki's legendary eras come [...]
Join our ʻOhana for an exciting evening under the stars as we take you on a voyage across Ka Moana (the [...]
Promoting health and wellness using Hawaiian culture healing and arts, take a journey and let your body [...]
As Hawaii vacation experts, we offer personalized, customized travel arrangements to Maui, Kauai, Oahu, [...]
Located on world-famous Kaanapali North Beach, Honua Kai Resort & Spa is Maui's newest luxury resort. [...]
My goal is to exceed my clients' expectations - I specialize in destination weddings and custom dream [...]
For it’s written in the stars. Inspired by the Kilolani, to help you seek balance within. Premiering [...]
Come early and stroll the Plantation's tropical grounds as you enjoy the late afternoon sun or walk [...]
Love Big Island is written by people that love the Big Island for people that love the Big Island. Our [...]
Offering treatments from massages to facials performed by licensed estheticians and therapists, many [...]