SOUTH MAUI LUAUS

WEST MAUI LUAUS

Luau Cuisine

A luau—then and now—chiefly focuses on food. While some modern luaus, such as the Feast at Mokapu on Maui, serve plated meals, most rely on buffets or an ‘ohana (family)-style sharing of dishes. At nearly every luau, you can expect to find a mix of foods from ancient Hawaii and foods brought to the islands by immigrants from Europe and Asia. These include:

Poi:

While taro is not the only food presented at a luau (of course), it does play a mighty role. Called kalo in Hawaiian, the tuber, slightly sweeter than a potato, is considered a “canoe crop:” Foods, such as coconut and breadfruit, that were brought aboard the vessels ancient Polynesians took to Hawaii. Taro was a mainstay of the Hawaiian diet and was most often used to create poi—ground taro that manifests as a starchy paste and is eaten with most meals.

Laulau:

Prepared in an imu—or underground oven warmed with hot coals—laulau is comprised of protein (chicken, fish, pork) and wrapped in leaves (taro, luau, and ti), resulting in a tender, salty dish that’s beloved by locals.

Lomi Salmon:

With its roots tracing back to the influx of whalers and merchants in the early 1800s, lomi salmon is comprised of chilled salmon, diced tomatoes, green onions, and white onions.

Kalua Pig:

This salty, smoky pork is generally prepared in an imu before being shredded. Our advice? Dip it in your poi!

Poke:

Defined as “to cut or slice” in Hawaiian, poke is raw, cubed fish, typically ahi, that’s marinated in soy sauce, sesame oil, and spices.

Chicken Long Rice:

Influenced by the Chinese contract laborers that came to Hawaii in 1852, chicken long rice is slivered chicken in broth with vermicelli noodles. In short, mild and comforting.

Haupia:

This coconut pudding—which has the consistency of jello—is the perfect way to end your luau feast. (Some luaus may also feature standard desserts such as brownies and cookies, or kulolo—a pudding loaf made of grated taro, sugar, and coconut milk.)

Luau guests can expect to also find salad, fresh fruit, and, at select luaus, keiki buffets complete with kid faves such as macaroni and cheese and chicken nuggets. Luaus feature beer, wine, and cocktails, from the standard mai tai to Old Lahaina Luau’s uala lager (a beer made with sweet potatoes by Maui Brewing Co.) to The Feast at Mokapu’s personally-tailored libations, which are crafted with fresh-pressed juices and syrups made in-house daily.

Polynesian Dancing

At a tie with the dishes featured at luaus? The entertainment! Polynesian dancing is the whole pulse of a luau—and for good cause: It’s an enormous part of the Polynesian culture, called upon to tell stories both mythical and factual.

Hula mainly defines this. Some luaus feature hula kahiko—the ancient style of hula, characterized by slow, graceful movements, primarily through one’s hands. Others boast hula auana, the modern form of hula, which moves at a quicker pace and is accompanied by ukulele music and contemporary melodies. Others still feature Tahitian ori (ori being Tahitian for dance)—a fast, high-energy mix to beats on a toere (a Tahitian log drum). For the best of the best, check out the annual Merrie Monarch competition.  

Several, including “Drums of the Pacific” at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa, present an otea, a traditional Tahitian dance distinguished by its percussion-led, hip-shaking (and mesmerizing) actions. Luaus that incorporate all or most of Polynesia may also feature the haka, a traditional dance, unique to the Maori culture of New Zealand, that was popularized by Aotearoa’s national rugby team, the All-Blacks, and the Samoan Sasa, which enlists a number of dancers.

The grand finale at many luaus is the siva afi, or Samoan fire dance. This spectacular performance dates back to ancient Samoa when warriors would exhibit their strength with a war club, normally at ceremonial processions. The war club evolved into metal with serrated edges to a machete wrapped in towels with its blade exposed; it wasn’t until 1946 that Samoan-American Freddie Letuli, who once toured the world as Freddie Letuli and the Flaming Sword of Samoa, introduced fire to the display. (And what a display it is: For most, it is the peak of a luau’s entertainment.)

Cultural Displays

To know ancient Polynesian culture—or to at least get a taste of it—requires an acquaintance with the rituals that were conducted, both on the spiritual front and in the quotidian sense. To this end, many luaus boast displays—and instruction—that were a part of everyday life for Polynesians: kapa making, lei making, and games. Some, such as the aforementioned The Feast at Mokapu at Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort, also feature temporary tattoos (or tatau) and/or kupee (a weaving of flowers and greenery to wear as a bracelet or in your hair).

Others, such as Paradise Cove on Oahu, offer guests the chance to not only see but also participate in pulling fishing nets from the beach. And one of the most popular parts of a luau is the imu ceremony, wherein guests can observe how Hawaiians used the underground oven to roast their eats.

Luau Attire and Etiquette

Intrigued by the concept of a luau? One of the most common questions is what to wear. Aloha attire is warmly welcomed, from dress shorts or slacks and aloha shirts for men to casual dresses for women. (More elegant affairs may require posher apparel.) And be sure to wear a comfortable pair of shoes—you, too, may want to get up and dance.

As for etiquette:

Attendees at bygone luaus didn’t use utensils and a few luaus maintain this tradition (even Colby’s birthday party had her guests eating with their hands). Most, however, will provide utensils. Meanwhile, lei greetings—flower, shell, or kukui nut—are a ubiquitous part of the modern luau. Out of respect, a lei should always be accepted (and should not be taken off in front of the person who gifted it to you). During WWII, leis were tossed into the water to determine one’s return; the tradition holds but, to protect wildlife, the string must be removed beforehand. You may also return your lei to Earth—by hanging it on a tree, for example—or use it to fragrance your room, letting the luau you’ve just seen linger with you even longer. Not like you’ll need it, of course: Most are unforgettable.