| A luau is a Hawaiian feast. You may have been to a | | | | Traditional luau feasts are eaten on the floor, while |
| luau party here on the mainland, or visited a luau on | | | | sitting on special mats. Foods included sweet |
| your recent vacation to Hawaii. This meal and party | | | | potatoes, dried fish, and other dried foods laid |
| often features traditional Hawaiian food, including poi | | | | directly on leaves. Another traditional luau food in |
| and salmon, and is often known for the kalua pig, | | | | these early decades was poi. Poi is a staple of the |
| which has been roasted in earth for at least a day | | | | Hawaiian diet to this day, and it is made from taro |
| prior to the festivities. Luaus are also known for the | | | | root that has been pounded into a thick paste. All of |
| entertainment, including Hawaiian music and hula | | | | these items were eaten with the fingers; no utensils |
| dancing. | | | | were used. |
| Today, luaus are often synonymous with parties for | | | | Today, 'luau' parties are often simply Hawaiian |
| those from Hawaii, so you may see graduation luaus, | | | | themed. They may lack the traditional taro tops or |
| birthday luaus, or even wedding luaus. However, the | | | | kalua pig, and range drastically in their adherence to |
| concept of a luau is actually quite old, and originally it | | | | luau traditions. In fact, most are not considered luaus |
| meant a very specific type of celebration. | | | | by purists or many who were raised on the islands, |
| The name 'Luau' dates back to the mid-nineteenth | | | | although they can be a fun way to bring a little island |
| century. Before that, this type of party was called a | | | | spirit to your summer parties. |
| paina or ahaaina. The name 'luau' originated from a | | | | Today, there are many commercial luaus put on just |
| type of food traditionally served at a luau celebration: | | | | for tourists. In Hawaii, these are held weekly at the |
| young taro (a type of tuber plant) tops, baked with | | | | most popular hotels. Often they are held outdoors on |
| coconut milk and served with octopus or chicken. | | | | the hotel grounds. These outdoor parties often sell |
| Luau parties originated because in centuries ago, men | | | | crafts, souvenirs, and photos to tourists. Like luau |
| and women ate separately, and commoners and | | | | parties you may stage in your backyard, these vary |
| women were forbidden by ancient Hawaiian customs | | | | greatly in their style and adherence to the luau |
| from eating certain foods, considered delicacies. In | | | | tradition, because they are geared towards the |
| 1819, however, King Kamehameha II abolished this | | | | tourist market. They often include Hawaiian or |
| practice. In a symbolic feast, the King ate with | | | | Polynesian dancing; during many luaus, hula dancers |
| women. The luau was born out of this feast. These | | | | may teach visitors how to dance a simple hula dance. |
| original luaus were quite large affairs, often with | | | | Such luaus can be found all over the islands, and are |
| hundreds of guests. In fact, some luaus thrown by | | | | often seen in brochures or other tourist-aimed |
| the King had visitors eating in shifts because there | | | | publications. |
| were hundreds invited to these gatherings. | | | | |