This Calls for a Luau!

~Blog Post #2~

April 13, 2015

By: Mary Vanco

In ancient Hawaii, groups of people got together for special events, like the birth of a child or a victory in battle. Hawaiians would gather with friends and family and honor the gods of their religion. However, historically, the women and men were not allowed to eat the meals together. When King Kamehameha II ended this tradition, he called for a celebration and they called such celebrations luaus.

At a luau, one staple food that is always present is poi. Poi is a sticky paste made from mashing the taro root, and water is added to it to get the right mushy consistency.

The main dish at the luau is often kalua pig. Kalua means “to bake in the ground oven.” It takes many hours of cooking to get the right juicy and smokey taste, but it is all part of the luau experience.

Other traditional hawaiian specialties include lomi salmon, sweet potatoes, haupia, and bananas. Originally, certain foods represented strength or goals that attendees wished to achieve.

In addition to the celebratory feast, luaus include polynesian dances, lei making lessons, games, and shows. 

The hula was once performed with chants to honor the hawaiian gods, but now since Hawaii has strayed from pagan beliefs to more christian ones, the hula is performed for entertainment.

Works Cited:

"History of the Luau." History of the Luau. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2015. <http://www.polynesia.com/history-of-the-luau.html#.VSyL8UswLwI>.

"Hawaiian Luaus." Aloha Hawaii RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2015. <http://www.aloha-hawaii.com/things-to-do/activities/luau/>.

"13 Delicious Hawaiian Foods You Need To Eat Right Now." BuzzFeed. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2015. <http://www.buzzfeed.com/mbvd/ono-hawaii-foods#.vdxjydOr4>.