Luau – Kauai, Hawaii
What, exactly, is a luau? The luau was born when, in 1819, King Kamehameah II abolished the traditional practice of men and women eating their meals apart. Commoners and women of all ranks were also forbidden by the ancient Hawaiian religion to eat certain dishes. When King Kamehameah II abolished the practice he had a feast where the King ate with the women and the luau was born.
The name Luau comes from the food that was served at these events. Young and tender leaves of the taro plant were combined with chicken, baked in coconut milk and called luau, therein, the name for the party!
Originally utensils were not used to eat, the poi and other foods were eaten with your fingers, today there are utensils for eating but much of the food is the same as in the old days, poi, sweet potatoes, dried fish or meat, coconuts, taro plants and other delicacies.
Some of the best luau food and Polynesian entertainment in the Islands can be found at "commercial" luaus.
Preparations for cooking in the "imu" are begun early in the morning of the day of the luau. A large pit is dug in the sand. Kiawe logs are placed in the bottom of the pit and topped with river rocks. A fire is started and after a couple of hours, the hot coals and hot rocks are ready for the next step. The rocks are evened out on the bottom of the pit and moist banana stalks are placed on top followed by a bed of banana leaves to put the pig on.
The pig, sweet potatoes and laulau are placed in the imu and covered with more banana leaves and ti leaves. Usually several wet burlap bags top this to add steam and keep the heat in. A tarp of some kind is then placed over the whole affair and then the pit is covered with sand. After 6 to 8 hours of this steam-cooking, the kalua pig is ready.
Other foods which are usually found at a luau are poi, chicken long rice, lomi salmon, haupia or coconut custard, sweet potato, salad, fish, rice and lots of specialty items.
Luaus are always held at sunset. Many are located on beautiful estates adjacent to beaches with a view of the setting sun over the ocean. A luau typically lasts about 3 hours and by the time it’s over you’ll have had more than a "taste of the tropics."
There are a number of different places to go to a luau in Kauai (and the other islands) so here are some suggestions that have been recommended by the islands tourist offices.
’Smith’s Tropical Paradise Luau’ is probably the most memorable luau on the island.
Smith’s Tropical Paradise Luau
Located along the beautiful Wailua River in a rich, tropical garden, Smith’s offers one of the most spectacular luau settings in Hawaii. You’ll want to arrive early so you can stroll through the meandering pathways where you’ll see lagoons teeming with fish, exotic peacocks, endangered "singing tree ducks," and over 20 types of fruit in their orchard. If you’re in the mood, you can buy a tram ticket for a narrated tour of the grounds, which begins at 5:30pm.
At 6:00pm, you can watch the unearthing of the traditional pig during the Imu Ceremony. Your succulent dinner has been cooking all day in the underground oven! Then, Mai Tais (an Islnd favorite), beer, wine, standard bar drinks, and soft drinks are served, as tables go one at a time through the international luau buffet. You will be entertained with wonderful Hawaiian music and humor throughout the dinner hour.
After the feast, the conch shell blows and the torches are lit at the Lagoon Amphitheatre for the start of Kauai’s most spectacular show! Night blooming lilies open before your eyes as the Hawaiian Goddess of the Volcano, Pele, dramatically emerges from the fiery lava to tell her story.
Kauai Coconut Beach Luau
The famous Coconut Plantation is the setting for this great luau. Beginning with a shell lei greeting and island arts and crafts before unveiling the featured dish, Kalua Pig, you’ll enjoy the many Hawaiian specialties at the all-you-can-eat Polynesian buffet, and a never ending supply of Mai Tai’s and punch from the open bar.
Tihati Productions brings you "Tihati’s Hiva Pasefika" celebrating the special connection between Kauai and the South Pacific in song and dance — taking you on a voyage of discovery from Tahiti to Hawaii. Conch shells, drums of the South Pacific, Tahitian dancers, fire dancers of Samoa, and more!
Reservations for the Kauai Coconut Beach Luau are required. Location: Resort Quest Kauai Beach at Maka’iwa, East Kauai
Time: Evening
Duration: 2.5hrs
Available: Tu -Sun
Toll Free:
1-877-877-1222
Enjoy the experience!
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Aloha, We just wanted to compliment you on your article, it reads well and offers some good insight on prepping for a luau. But if you don’t mind… we would add that its worthwhile to hit one of the shrimp farms prior to going to a luau so you have something to tie you over till food is served. Mahalo