A luau is a celebration, party, or get-together that is traditionally associated with Hawaii and the Polynesians.
The celebration includes live music, arts and crafts displays, traditional games, and traditional Hawaiian fares such as pork, fish, taro corms, and desserts made with coconut milk.
The Luau is a highly distinctive celebration with lots of traditional cuisine and entertainment, much to the joy of all attendees.
Colors, happiness, folklore in the Polynesian manner, friendliness, participation, and a sumptuous meal!
Hula dancers with their vibrant costumes, torches, spears, a plethora of “Lei” garlands, music, drinks, and scenographic cuisine (such as the ever-present pork cooked in the sand).
While some feel that today’s luaus have grown overly commercialized, we think that the combination of these aspects makes for a wonderful experience that captures the spirit of Hawaii.
A little bit of History
The term “luau” is a modernization of the phrase “gathering feast,” aha’aina (or pa’ina).
Men and women dined separately in this Hawaiian aha’aina in the early 19th century, and only Hawaiian leaders were permitted to eat certain dishes.
In ancient Hawaii, religious reasons prohibited women from having meals with males; also, some unique delicacies or dishes offered on special occasions were restricted to them.
Therefore, before the entrance of the Protestant missionaries, the term “luau” had a different meaning, referring to the main course served at these royal Hawaiian parties: “chicken cooked in coconut milk with taro.”
These religious restrictions were lifted by King Kamehameha II in 1819, and he also started eating with women. The Luau came its existence at this very moment.
The food was served on long leaves of the taro plant, and they ate while seated on mats on the ground throughout the event (a tuber similar to potatoes, but purple in color and very healthy).
The Luau was the dish that was most popular and gave the celebration its name since it was made with taro and chicken (or octopus) that was cooked with coconut milk.
King Kamehameha III organized one of the biggest Hawaiian luaus ever in 1847.
There were 482 huge gourds packed with poi, 3125 saltwater fish, 245 coconuts, 1,820 freshwater fish, 4,000 taro plants, and 271 pigs at the gathering.
Today in Hawaii the concepts of luau and party overlap, so much so that they are used as synonyms: therefore, there are, for example, the graduation luau, the birthday luau and the wedding luau.
Every guest at a luau wears a traditional Hawaiian lei, and the celebration has always been social, cultural, spiritual of social, cultural, spiritual, and fun.
They have found a way to transcend the confines of this Pacific Ocean archipelago and have developed into a global representation of camaraderie, amusement, goodwill, and sharing.
Almost location in the globe has luaus, especially during the summer.
Where to attend a Luau?
A luau-themed party can be held anywhere as long as it is outside in a public area.
It can be kept as a public or private memento on the beach, at home, in a forest, or garden.
Make sure to dress comfortably if you’ve been invited to a luau by donning Hawaiian shirts, blouses, shorts, summer pants, and sandals.
People host luaus for a variety of reasons.
Good personal reasons include getting married, having a child, celebrating a wedding anniversary, or recovering from illness.
But these informal celebrations will also center on a profitable commercial venture, a significant group accomplishment, or a healthy harvest.
The festival traditionally kicks off with an imu ceremony.
It’s the time when the organizers open the wood-fired oven’s layers of leaves and fabric to reveal the cooked pig.
Poi, Kalua pork, chicken long rice, laulau, lomi lomi fish, haupia, and poke are among the most well-liked luau meals.
The Hawaiian luau becomes a popular tourist destination. In Hawaii, theme parties are frequently held in hotels, cultural institutions, public spaces, beaches, and in other public places.
There are planned luaus on all of the major Hawaiian islands; they frequently occur at sunset on the beach, and the selection of options is truly embarrassing
Large hotel companies including Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, and Sheraton frequently organize the events.
Of course, not every luau is the same in terms of its qualities and traits. For instance, some luaus focus more on the food and less on the entertainment; some luaus are more “party-loving” and packed; others are more traditional; and so on. In this instance, people take part in hands-on activities using Hawaiian arts and crafts.
Additionally, some luaus cater to younger visitors by providing a separate buffet that includes foods like chicken nuggets and hot dogs.
Book your Luau!
Maui Activities – Kaanapali Sunset Luau | Maui Sheraton Luau in Kaanapali Beach
Maui Activities – Te Au Moana Luau at the Wailea Marriott Resort