All Topics  
Luau

 

 

 

 

 

Luau


 
 




A luau (in HawaiianHawaiian language

The Hawaiian language takes its name from that of the largest island in the tropical North Pacific archipelago where it deve...
, lu‘au) is a Hawaiian feast. It may feature food, such as poiPoi (food)

Poi is a Hawaiian word for the primary Polynesian staple food made from the corm of the kalo plant....
, kalua pig, poke, lomi salmonLomi salmon

Lomi salmon is a seafood dish that originated in Hawaii....
, opihi, haupiaHaupia

Haupia is a traditional coconut milk-based Hawaiian dessert often found at luaus in Hawai‘i and in local confections t...
, and beerBeer

Beer is one of the world's oldest alcoholic beverages, possibly brewed for the first time over 10,000 years ago, according t...
; and entertainment, such as Hawaiian music and hulaHula

Hula is a dance form accompanied by chant or song....
. Among people from Hawaii, the concepts of "luau" and "party" are often blended, resulting in graduation luaus, wedding luaus, and birthday luaus.

Etymology and history

According to Pukui & Elbert (1986:214), the name "luau" goes back "at least to 1856, when so used by the Pacific Commercial Advertiser." Earlier, such a feast was called a "paina" (pa‘ina) or ahaaina (‘aha‘aina). The newer name comes from that of a food always served at a luau: young taroTaro

Taro , more rarely kalo , is a tropical plant grown primarily as a vegetable food for its edible corm, and secondarily...
 tops baked with coconut milkCoconut milk

Coconut milk is a sweet, milky white cooking base derived from the meat of a mature coconut....
 and chicken or octopus.

Common luau foods

  • PoiPoi (food)

    Poi is a Hawaiian word for the primary Polynesian staple food made from the corm of the kalo plant....
    . "[T]he Hawaiian staff of life, made from cooked taroTaro

    Taro , more rarely kalo , is a tropical plant grown primarily as a vegetable food for its edible corm, and secondarily...
     corns, or rarely breadfruitBreadfruit

    The Breadfruit , Malayalam: kada-chakkai, Hawaiian: ulu, Indonesian: sukun Tagalog: kolo; is a tree and frui...
    , pounded and thinned with water" (Pukui & Elbert 1986:337). It can be thick or thin, and can be new and sweet, or old and tangy (fermented). Hawaiians also had poi mai‘a "[m]ashed ripe bananas and water" before 1778, and thereafter, poi palaoa "[f]lour poi, made by stirring flour in hot water, eaten alone or mixed with taro poi". Breadfruit poi is called poi ‘ulu. Another of the various pois is poi ‘uala, or pa‘i ‘uala, "[c]ooked and compressed sweet potatoes allowed to ferment slightly and used as a substitute for poi when poi was scarce" (Pukui & Elbert 1986:303, 337). Mashing is a common characteristic of Hawaiian food preparation.
  • Poke. The traditional Hawaiian poke was raw fish, gutted and sliced across the backbone. The slices still had skin and bones, which were spit out after all the flesh had been eaten. Poke was eaten with condiments such as salt, seaweed, and crushed roasted kukui nuts. Modern poke is made with skinned, deboned, and carefully filleted fish, and takes a variety of dressings and condiments. Poke means "slice" in Hawaiian (Pukui & Elbert 1986:337).
  • Lomilomi salmonLomi salmon Overview

    Lomi salmon is a seafood dish that originated in Hawaii....
    . Raw salmon "worked with the fingers and mixed with diced tomatoes, onions and seasoned with seasalt" (Pukui & Elbert 1986:212). Lomi means "mash".
  • LaulauLau lau

    Lau lau is a Hawaiian dish consisting of taro leaves, salted butterfish, and either pork, beef, or chicken....
    . "Packages of ti leaves or banana leaves containing pork, beef, salted fish, or taro tops, baked in the ground oven, steamed or broiled" (Pukui & Elbert 1986:196).
  • Kalua pig. Pork cooked in a pit oven (imu). A whole dressed pigPig Overview

    Pigs are ungulates native to Eurasia collectively grouped under the genus Sus within the Suidae family....
     (pua‘a) is salted, wrapped, lowered into the ground oven, and covered. Kalua is the earth-oven cooking method (Pukui & Elbert 1986:123).
  • Opihi (‘opihi). Raw limpet meat. Three species are called koele (ko‘ele), alinalina (‘alinalina), and makaiauli (makaiauli) (Pukui & Elbert 1986:292).
  • Chicken long rice. Cellophane noodlesCellophane noodles

    Cellophane noodles, are a type of clear Asian noodle made from mung bean starch, water, and sometimes also other ingredients...
     (also known as "long rice"), simmered in chicken broth and served hot with pieces of chicken.huk
  • Rice.
  • HaupiaHaupia Overview

    Haupia is a traditional coconut milk-based Hawaiian dessert often found at luaus in Hawai‘i and in local confections t...
     (haupia). Coconut-arrowroot pudding. Cornstarch is substituted for the arrowroot (Pukui & Elbert 1986:62).
  • KuloloKulolo

    Kulolo Hawaiian dessert made primarily from mashed taro corms and either grated coconut meat or coconut milk....
     (kulolo). Coconut-taro pudding (Pukui & Elbert 1986:181).


At modern luaus, drinks may include beer, soda, juice, etc. Many 19th century public luaus would have been "teetotal". At the lavish private luaus hosted by 19th century figures like the genial King KalakauaKalakaua

Kalakaua — born as David Laamea Kamanakapuu Mahinulani Nalaiaehuokalani Lumialani Kalakaua and called The Mer...
, imported wine and hard liquor were prominent items on the menu.

Hawaiian feasts before 1778 would have featured pig, chicken, dog, seafood, bananas, coconuts, sweet potatoes, and taro. None of those, except seafood, were indigenous to the Hawaiian islands, but were introduced by Polynesian settlers. Many of the foods now considered "traditional" at luaus were introduced by Europeans, Americans, or Asians. Dog meatDog meat

This article is about meat taken from dogs....
 is no longer eaten (legally) in the islands.

Before the breaking of the kapuKapu

Hawaiian KapuThe Hawaiian word Kapu is usually translated as "forbidden"....
s in 1819 (the ‘Ai Noa), Hawaiian men and women ate separately, and certain foods, such as pig and most species of bananas, were forbidden to women.

Luau-themed parties

Luau-themed or Hawaiian-themed parties can be differentiated from authentic luaus by a lack of traditional food and techniques as described above. These parties range dramatically in their range of dedication to Hawaiian traditions. For example, some extravagant affairs go so far as to ship food from the islands, while others settle for artificial leis, maitais, and a poolside atmosphere. None of these are considered Luaus by purists, or tourists.

Commercial luaus


Primarily in the Hawaiian islands, there are numerous commercial luau productions, which generally consist of dinner and Hawaiian or Polynesian dancing. Some of these productions are held at hotels, usually outdoors (weather permitting), and some are held at private locations without any connection to a specific hotel.
These luaus are geared for tourists and have a variety of souvenirs, crafts, and photos for purchase.
The following is a list of select commercial luaus:

  • OahuFacts About Oahu

    Oahu , the "Gathering Place", is the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands and most populous island in the State of Ha...


  • Hale Koa HotelHale Koa Hotel

    The Hale Koa Hotel, which means House of the Warrior in Hawaiian, is a hotel located on Waikiki Beach and owned by the U...
    , Waikiki, Hawaii — only open to military
  • Polynesian Cultural CenterPolynesian Cultural Center

    The Polynesian Cultural Center is a living museum located in La'ie, on the northern part of Oahu, Hawaii....
    , Laie, Hawaii — no alcohol served
  • Paradise Cove Luau, Kapolei, HawaiiKapolei, Hawaii

    Kapolei, Hawaii, despite its status as an incorporated community within the City and County of Honolulu in Hawaii, is design...
  • Germaine's LuauGermaine's Luau

    Sorry, no overview for this topic
    , Kapolei, HawaiiKapolei, Hawaii

    Kapolei, Hawaii, despite its status as an incorporated community within the City and County of Honolulu in Hawaii, is design...
  • Creations, Honolulu, HawaiiHonolulu, Hawaii Overview

    Honolulu is the capital and largest city of the U.S....
     — held indoors in a ballroom at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani


  • MauiMaui

    The island of Maui is the second-largest of the Hawaiian Islands at 727 square miles....


  • Feast at Lele, Lahaina, Hawaii
  • Old Lahaina Luau, Lahaina, Hawaii


  • KauaiKauai

    Kauai is the oldest and fourth largest of the main Hawaiian Islands, having an area of 1,430.43 km....


  • Smith Family Garden Luau, Wailua Marina State Park, Hawaii


  • OrlandoOrlando, Florida

    The city of Orlando is the county seat of Orange County, Florida....


  • Spirit of Aloha, Lake Buena Vista, FloridaFacts About Lake Buena Vista, Florida

    Lake Buena Vista is a city in Orange County, Florida, United States.It is mostly known for being home to the Walt Disney Wor...
     — held at Disney's Polynesian ResortDisney's Polynesian Resort

    Disney's Polynesian Resort is a Disney-owned Deluxe resort located at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Florida that be...


External links