Many people book luaus for their Hawaiian vacations knowing relatively nothing about the traditions. They really are a genuine way to experience old Hawaii, because luau creators strive to present their guests with an authenticity that cannot be matched. With classic performances from professional hula and Tahitian dancers, fire dancers, musicians, and storytellers, the artists perform with a sincere desire to share their love of Hawaii with others. You’ll also taste some of the staple foods that are traditionally Hawaiian, like breadfruit and pork in the forms of decadent salads, lau lau, and kalua. Not to mention the tasty cocktails, dancing, and all-around good time you’ll experience, it’s quite a night of entertainment!
Hawaii Aloha Travel offers a Hawaii luau on almost every island. And we’ve got the best rates too. Many people who vacation on Hawaii can’t afford to take the whole family to a luau, with individual prices being way outside of budget, but with our prices and discounts, we make it affordable for everyone. We also offer various luaus within each island, because as a booming business, there are many companies who offer this activity. We can help you choose the perfect luau, no matter which island you’re traveling to. And we’ve got the connections to get you the best price, without compromising the quality; And the quality of specific luaus are always subject to opinion. Which is why we’ve partnered with some of the best luau companies to give our clients the ultimate experience.
Some luaus may skip out on some of the most important aspects of the celebration. Traditionally, the main focus of a luau was centered around the imu, or underground oven. This is where the pig cooks within the earth, on a bed of ti or banana leaves. It was a common practice to have a party after a pig was caught, given that the people would be feasting on savory flavors of tender Hawaiian pork. Today, at many luaus, the focal point still remains at the imu, where guests can watch the unearthing of the pig and the traditions associated with this.
Next is the entertainment. Hula and Tahitian dance is a long held practice that tells a story through a different language; the language of song and dance. It is common for hula to be danced to a live performer, singing ancient words from traditional Hawaiian songs, while Tahitian is danced to the beating of drums. These two forms of art are truly beautiful to watch, and many times, the performers encourage the audience to share in the hip shaking as well!
The elaborate meal is served buffet style, with foods ranging from Hawaiian fish, to teriyaki chicken, to pork lau lau. Fresh salads with tropical fruits, tasty side dishes, traditional poi, and savory desserts are laid out in a spread that your eyes (and mouth) will feast upon. Guests leave luaus not only with a full belly, but with a bit of Hawaiian culture and tradition to take home as well. Check out our luau options online, or call one of our agents standing by to begin creating the perfect package for your Hawaiian luau.
Since 2006 Bruce Fisher has been publishing the Hawaii Vacation Blog and the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast which, create daily content about Hawaii Travel and Tourism. This Blog is the only online resource providing Hawaii-based information aimed at travelers seven days per week. Postings reflect the Hawaiian Islands, their culture and their lifestyle as accurately and thoroughly as possible.
Last night we had the opportunity to check out a brand-new luau and show combo at Jimmy Buffett's Beachcomber in Waikiki. This combines the best of both worlds with a terrific luau complete with the Polynesian dinner show and first-class entertainment featuring the world-renowned Las Vegas headliner Lani Misalucha. The show is called "Return to Paradise" and could very well be the best dinner and show value here in the islands at only 103.00 per person!!
If you would like tickets or more information just give us a call at 800-843-8771
Since 2006 Bruce Fisher has been publishing the Hawaii Vacation Blog and the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast which, create daily content about Hawaii Travel and Tourism. This Blog is the only online resource providing Hawaii-based information aimed at travelers seven days per week. Postings reflect the Hawaiian Islands, their culture and their lifestyle as accurately and thoroughly as possible.
No lūʻau in Hawai‘i is complete without a big, juicy, steaming laulau. The translation of the word laulau in a food context literally means “wrapped package," and is truly a little gift of ‘ono (oh-NO; delicious). Today, salted pork or beef is the usual meat source for laulau. In ancient times, Hawaiians used dog as the main source because pigs were reserved for ceremonial purposes and not consumed as often.
Over the years, technology has allowed laulau to become more accessible. It can be found pre-made and sold in the refrigerated or frozen sections of any grocery store in Hawai‘i (just microwave and enjoy!). And instead of selling cookies for fundraising ventures, many Hawai‘i schools, church groups, sports teams and hula groups often sell laulau.
During your visit to Hawai‘i, try laulau at any lu‘āu or stop by one of the Hawaiian food shops that serve it. You can also make it yourself in the comfort of your hotel room.
Here is a recipe with the ingredients and tools used for making laulau. It is good to remember that every island and ʻohana (family) does things a little differently, and I am only sharing what has been taught to me. I altered this a bit so that you should be able to find all of the ingredients in a local grocery store.
Pork Laulau (Makes about 10)
1lb. Pork Shoulder
2 Packages Fresh Lūʻau:
Lūʻau can be the festivity you attend while in Hawai‘i, but it also refers to the leaves of the taro plant. When cooked, it tastes a bit like spinach. Lūʻau must be cooked as the heat breaks down and neutralizes the calcium carbonate crystals (druses and raphides for you sciencey folk) in the lūʻau, thus making it edible. You can tell if a laulau hasn’t been cooked all the way if your throat becomes itchy!
Hawaiian Salt:
These chunky salt crystals are a kitchen staple in any Hawaiian home. Look for the “Old Time” brand at any grocery store.
Fish:
Small pieces of fish such as mahimahi or butterfish can be an optional addition to your laulau.
The tī plant (Cordyline fruticosa) is an extremely useful plant in pre-contact and present Hawaiʻi. It can be used for medicine, clothing, cooking and has even been made into liquor! In this case, the tī leaf is used to wrap up the laulau in order to seal in all the flavor and juices. *Note: If tī leaves are not accessible, you can wrap your laulau in foil instead.
1 Large Steamer:
Traditionally, laulau was cooked in an imu (underground earth oven). Though imu are still used today, many also choose to cook their laulaus in modern stovetop steamers.
Preparation
Lightly salt beef and fish (if available).
Rinse lūʻau leaf under cool water. Place 2-3 leaves on top of each other, holding it like a plate.
Place 2-3 pieces of beef in the middle of the lūʻau and one piece of fish if available.
Wrap meat in the lūʻau (like a present), making sure that the contents will not fall out. Continue to wrap the laulau in tī leaf and then aluminum foil, or just the foil if tī leaf is not available.
Steam for 2- 2 ½ hours. Once the laulau is done cooking, unwrap it from the tī leaf and dig in! The fat and juices from the meat will have soaked into the lūʻau, creating a succulent and ʻono meal! Aloha.
Laulau can be bought at the store. It's a popular fundraising item for schools and sports clubs.
Posted by Serena Kaldi Follow me on Twitter Serena_Divina
Since 2006 Bruce Fisher has been publishing the Hawaii Vacation Blog and the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast which, create daily content about Hawaii Travel and Tourism. This Blog is the only online resource providing Hawaii-based information aimed at travelers seven days per week. Postings reflect the Hawaiian Islands, their culture and their lifestyle as accurately and thoroughly as possible.
Dramatic drum beats and gong hits poured into Waikīkī's buzzing streets below, starting from the door of a Pacific Beach Hotel ballroom. A colorful Chinese lion bobbled its over-sized head to the concussive musical medley and danced around guests celebrating my nephew's first birthday last Saturday. The party included more than 100 of our family members and close friends and was probably bigger than some of the wedding receptions I've been to!
Modern baby lū‘au includes cake, while an ancient Hawaiian one might have had haupia for dessert.
As you can tell, first birthdays in Hawai‘i are a big deal. It's a way to kick off a long and healthy life as well as another reason to enjoy good food and great company. Some families host parties in their backyards while others have it at the beach or at kid-friendly places, like Chuck E. Cheese. No matter where the location, the mark of a child's first year never goes unnoticed.
This type of celebration has been happening for centuries in many cultures around the world. Most children didn't live to the age of one due to a lack of the medical advancements that we're fortunate to have today. In ancient Hawai‘i, children who beat the odds were honored with a huge feast, better known as a pā‘ina or ‘aha‘aina. The newer term (first baby lū‘au) came about in the 1850s, referring to the lū‘au leaves in laulau served at the gathering.
Traditional feasts included pig, chicken, seafood, coconuts, sweet potatoes and taro. Hawaiians rolled out the lauhala mats and ate on the floor using nothing but their fingers to enjoy the delicious foods. Fresh flowers, ferns and ti leaves decorated the occasion while hula and Hawaiian music decorated the tropical air.
Today the lū‘au, like Alexander's, has taken a modern twist. Colorful balloons and a banner with an airbrushed illustration of my nephew lit up the hotel ballroom. Even the kids were colorful, with face paintings and airbrushed tattoos. They refueled on some sweets at a candy buffet before running off to play in the toy corner or watch episodes of Disney's "Phineas and Ferb" (the party's theme) on a big screen projector.
Balloons, candy and face painting make today's modern baby lū‘au fun for kids.
A food buffet of greens, fruits, meats, pastas and different types of pies made the adults extra happy, but what got everyone on their feet was the live entertainment by Natural Vibes – one of Hawai‘i's premier local bands. The dimmed lights and camera phones in the air could have led someone to mistaken the birthday party for a rock concert; everyone was on their feet or bobbing their heads to the music that threaded throughout the ballroom.
The Chinese lion dance at the beginning of Alexander's party showed how culturally diverse Hawai‘i has become. The lū‘au celebrates the start of a child's life, while the lion dance brings in good fortune to the birthday honoree and to those who attended. "Feeding" the lion money also brings good luck. Other parties may have Tahitian performances or require that the one-year-old dress in special clothing, like the tol-bok worn in the Korean culture.
But regardless of how a first birthday is celebrated, it still holds a special place in almost all societies. They bring together loved ones over food and entertainment. And in Hawai‘i, the first baby lū‘au has become a nice blend of multiple cultures at one time. I'm so glad to have been a part of Alexander's big day and am looking forward to celebrating his many birthdays to come!
A Chinese lion brings in good fortune at Alexander's first birthday party!
Since 2006 Bruce Fisher has been publishing the Hawaii Vacation Blog and the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast which, create daily content about Hawaii Travel and Tourism. This Blog is the only online resource providing Hawaii-based information aimed at travelers seven days per week. Postings reflect the Hawaiian Islands, their culture and their lifestyle as accurately and thoroughly as possible.
Published by Bruce Fisher
Modern baby lū‘au includes cake, while an ancient Hawaiian one might have had 
Balloons, candy and face painting make today's modern baby lū‘au fun for kids.
