Luau Waikiki For A Traditional Feast

By Evelyn Walls


The beachfront community of Waikiki is located in the city of Honolulu on the island of Oahu. Waikiki attracts many tourists for its public parks, white sandy beaches and views of Diamond Head. There are many luxury hotels and high end shops located here to accommodate tourism. If you are planning a visit to Waikiki for business or for pleasure, be sure to attend a luau Waikiki to celebrate the traditions and people of this area.

There are several tourist businesses where you can purchase tickets to a luau. They typically offer round trip transportation from the hotel to the festivities. Guests will not have to worry about getting back to the hotel after they have enjoyed a few mai tais. As soon as you arrive, you will be greeted with a beautiful lei made of flowers, shells or kukua nuts. Most luaus next include the imu ceremony.

An imu is the underground oven used to cook the the pork for the feast. At the ceremony native Hawaiians dressed in traditional costume, prepare the cooked pork for shredding. There is not a lot of ceremony involved, but it does give the guests a chance to see the traditional way of preparing food. The shredded pork, poi, sweet potatoes, and fresh fish are some of the staples of the local diet and are likely to be on the menu.

Next on the agenda may be a hukailau, where everyone gets together to pull the net from the ocean to gather the fish. Many years ago, ancient Hawaiians developed this way of fishing. Again, the simplest things are steeped in tradition. You know your fish for the evening will be fresh, since you just helped catch it.

Typically the mai tai punch is complimentary, and cocktail mai tais can be purchased by the adult guests. The Hawaiian revue will entertain guests and educate them about more of the culture. There are many traditional dances which will be performed by men and women in full costume. There certainly will be some hulu dancing and guests may be invited to join in, but you will be amazed by the variety of dances and ceremonies.

At last, it will be time to eat a feast like you have never seen before. If food is a way to welcome guests, this buffet is one enormous welcome. Like many cultures, Hawaiians use food to give their guests a warm welcome.

The luau you purchase may be basic to deluxe. Typically three price ranges are offered. The deluxe package may include a traditional Hawaiian gift for you to remember the evening. If you are going all the way to Hawaii, you may as well get the deluxe package. The difference is price in still affordable.

As wonderful as the luau will be, it is only a small slice of Hawaiian culture. In 1959 Hawaii became a state when it officially joined the United States. The citizens of the Hawaiian islands continue to welcome people from the continental United States and from all over the world. Make the most of your visit to this island paradise that is part of our country.




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