No trip to Hawaii is complete without a luau. This traditional Hawaiian feast often includes a Hula Show as part of the entertainment. Many luaus also demonstrate other traditional dances from islands in the Pacific as well as the hula, including those from Tahiti, Samoa and New Zealand. This sometimes includes the knife fire dance — where men dance with knives that are on fire — which is something you don’t want to miss. The announcer will explain the significance and history of the dances, and guests may even get a chance to learn one or more of these dances as part of the festivities. While the ukulele and guitar are often used to create the music at a Hula Show, historically these instruments weren’t used during this dance. The music was provided by drums, castanets, gourds and rattles. While the dancers wore leis, they didn’t wear the grass skirts that are now common during hula performances. These skirts came into use as the dance became more commercialized.
The entertainment isn’t the only great thing about the luau, however. Guests also get to partake in an all-you-can-eat feast containing traditional Hawaiian foods. For example, Business Name, one of the better-known luaus near Waikiki, provides a buffet containing traditional roasted pig, a taro root dish called poi which is a Hawaiian staple food, a coconut pudding called haupia, sweet dinner rolls, lomilomi salmon, chicken long rice, pulehu chicken, island fish, pineapple, and a number of more typical American foods for those who are a bit less adventurous. Traditionally, people at luaus ate with their hands while sitting on mats on the ground, but these days utensils, tables, and chairs are common, especially at those events that are open to tourists and other visitors.
Those who are taking part in a luau arranged for tourists will typically get greeted with leis and also have lots of opportunities to take photos or have their photo taken by the staff of the luau for a keepsake of the event. This doesn’t mean that a luau is just a touristy experience, however. It’s a way to learn more about and experience traditional Hawaiian culture while having a lot of fun at the same time. You can also follow them on Twitter for more updates.
