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Culture of the Hawaii Islands
Lu'au (Traditional diner & dance)
In ancient Hawai'i men and women ate separately, but today the lu'au is a celebration that brings together an entire family and community. The lu'au is a contemporary expression of a traditional Hawaiian feast set with food cooked in an earthen pit oven, the imu, covered with hot rocks and leaves This traditional form of cooking is found throughout Polynesia. wpeC4.jpg (30543 bytes)
Foods at a lu'au are as varied as the people of Hawai'i. The word "lu'au" refers to the leafy tops of young taro plants cooked in coconut milk, as one dish at a traditional feast. A contemporary meal includes this and a variety of other Hawaiian foods. 

Try these recipes.

  • laulau using kalua pig, pork cooked in the imu
  • fish
  • opihi, raw limpets
  • haupia, coconut milk custard
  • Hawaiian staple, poi, a pounded starch made from cooked taro root

A lu'au usually includes an array of other ethnic foods including

  • char sui introduced by Chinese immigrants,
  • sushi by Japanese,
  • chicken adobo by Filipinos,
  • macaroni salad by U.S. mainlanders
  • lomi-lomi salmon, which can be traced back to whalers from the Pacific Northwest

Below you find some typical Lu'au recipes:

Adobo chicken

1 3-pound stewing chicken (or 5 pounds thighs), cut up
1/2 cup vinegar
1 cup water
2 cloves parlic, minced
1 inch ginger, grated
1 bay leaf
2 tablespoons soy sauce
salt
pepper

1. Chop chicken into serving-size pieces. Mix with vinegar, water, garlic, bay leaf, soy sauce, salt, pepper.
2. Cook chicken in a pot on high heat. As the liquid thickens, turn heat to low and continue cooking until meat is tender and slightly brown. Stir chicken from time to time, cooking for about 30 to 35 minutes.
Note: To make adobo pork, follow the same procedure but add 1 teaspoon allspice.

Connie Camarillo, Hilo Hawaii

Char Sui (Chinese smoked spareribs)

3 pounds spareribs, cut in half lengthwise

Marinade: 1 cup sugar
1/2 cup soy souce
2 tablespoon Hoi Sin sauce
1/2 teaspoon Chinese five spices powder
1 tablespoon coarse Hawaiian salt
1/8 teaspoon red food coloring

1. Slit the hard bone and score spareribs. Parboil, rinse and drain well.
2. combine marinade ingredients and marinate meat overnight in the refrigerator. Turn and mix occasionally
3. Smoke in a kamdo or smoker for 2 hours, basting occasionally with sauce.

from June Tong, Honolulu, HI

Haupia (Coconut Pudding)

3 cups frozen coconut milk, thawed (or 2 cups fresh coconut milk mixed with 1 cup water)
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
pinch of salt

1. In a saucepan, combine coconut milk and sugar. Gradually mix in cornstarch. Add vanilla and salt. Stir and cook on medium heat until thickened.
2. Pour into an oiled 9-inch square pan. chill for at least 1 hour. Cut into 36 squares.

Jane Goo, Anahola, Kauai, Hawai'i

Laulau (Taro Leaf Bundles)

1 1/2 pounds pork shoulder, cut into cubes
1 1/2 pounds beef brisket or roase, cut into cubes
1 1/2 pounds salted cod, cut into cubes
3 TO 4 large taro leaves (or fresh spinich

1. Lay 2 taro or spinich leaves crosswise to each other. Place meat and fish on leaves. Gather the corners and tie in a bundle.
2. Steam for 3 hours in a steamer.

Jane Goo, Anahola, Kauai, Hawai'i

For more information on Lu'au recipes, go to:

For more information on Lu'au Feasts, go to:
  • Big Island of Hawaii Luaus: Your guide to all of the major luaus on the Big Island of Hawaii.
    • Island Breeze Luau
      At the King Kamehameha Hotel in Kailua-Kona, with A Royal Procession leading guests to the buffet and continuous music throughout dinner
    • Kona Village Resort's Luau
      Located at the rather remote Kona Village Resort, this is by many considered the Big Island's best and most authentic luau.
  • Kauai Luaus Your guide to all of the major luaus on the Garden Isle of Kauai.
    • Drums of Paradise
      Held at the Hyatt Regency Kauai at Poipu, this luau does not have its own website - a rarity.
    • Gaylord's Reflections of Paradise Luau
      Held on Mondays & Thursdays at 6:30 pm in the Kilohana Carriage House.
    • Kauai Coconut Beach Luau
      Recipient of Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau's prestigious Kahili Award - presented to Hawaii's most authentic luau.
    • Pa'ina 'O Hanalei
      A beachside luau held Monday's and Thursdays at the Princeville Resort on Hanalei Bay, this is often considered the best luau experience on Kauai.
    • Smith's Tropical Paradise
      Featuring a garden luau and Polynesian Review. Run by the folks who take you up the Wailua River to the Fern Grotto.
  • Maui Luaus A guide to all of the major luaus on Maui, Hawaii including our article on what is considered by many to be the best luau in Hawaii, the Old Lahaina Luau.
    • Drums of the Pacific
      Held twice nightly at the Hyatt Regency, Maui.
    • Mariott Luau
      The most attended luau on the island of Maui for the past 8 years is located at the Maui Marriott Resort on Kaanapali Beach
    • Old Lahaina Luau
      Considered by many to be Hawaii's best luau, we'll show you what you can expect to do and see if you decide to attend the Old Lahaina Luau.
    • Outrigger Wailea Resort Luau
      Held oceanfront at the Outrigger Wailea resort four nights weekly, complete with Imu ceremony, lavish buffet, open bar and a colorful Polynesian Revue. World Champion fire knife dancer, Ifi, will please young and old alike.
    • Royal Lahaina Luau
      One of the oldest luaus on Maui, held nightly on the grounds of the Royal Lahaina resort.
  • Oahu Luaus A guide to all of the major luaus on Oahu, Hawaii.
    • Germaine's Luau
      The choice of many locals as the best luau on Oahu, Germaine's buses guests to their private beach about 40 minutes from Waikiki.
    • Paradise Cove Luau
      The largest luau on Oahu also buses guests from downtown Waikiki for an evening of food, fun and entertainment.
    • Polynesian Cultural Center Luau
      Winner of the coveted Kahili Award for preserving Hawaiian culture, the Ali'i Luau is considered the island's most authentic luau.
    • Royal Hawaiian Luau
      Held on Mondays on the beach of the famous Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikiki.
For more general information on Hawaii, go to:

For more regional information on Hawaii, go to:

For more product information on Hawaii, go to:

For our special offers to Hawaii from Europe, go to:

These specials are individual tour packages, including the roundtrip flights from Europe, interisland flights, hotels, transfers and rentalcars. Another option is to create your own package to the Hawaii by utilizing the separate travel components, like hotels, flights, Carrental and excursions on the islands.
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