“Aloha is a value, one of unconditional love. Aloha is the
outpouring and receiving of the spirit.”
The
ways of Aloha
Who
would go to Hawaii and not go to a luau? Not Joe and I for sure.
We were excited about having the opportunity to be able to go to one
since our cruise ship was spending the night in Maui. We were able to go with a large group from my work which made this event even more fun.
We
arrived in Lahaina a couple hours before sunset so we would have
plenty of time to enjoy the night. Lahaina is an old whaling town
and has over a hundred year history and at one time was the capital
of the Kingdom of Hawaii from 1820 to 1845.
As
we walked through the gates and entered the Luau, a beautiful
Hawaiian woman wearing a grass skirt put a flowered lei around our
necks and gave us a warm welcome. We noticed some of the women also
wore a flower in their hair. We learned if the flower was placed
over her right ear, it means she is available. If the flower is
placed over the left ear, it means she is married or unavailable.
When
we got inside, they offered us a nice tropical drink which we carried
around as we checked out the beautiful grounds that went right up to
the ocean. We got to see the dug out pit where the pig was
roasting. The pig was covered with Taro leaves and dirt and put in
the underground oven called a “imu”. We couldn’t see the pig
since it was all covered while it cooked.
There
were various booths with Hawaiians selling their wares, like
beautiful wooden carvings, totems, jewelry, Hawaiian crafts, and many other items. It
was fun walking around and down the path next to the ocean. The
views were spectacular.
As
the sun started to fade into the ocean, they made a big ceremony of
bringing the pig up and uncovering it for the feast. A big crowd had
formed to see the event. The pig smelled wonderful.
Then
came the feast which included traditional Luau fare including the
roasted pork, Poi, which is steamed and mashed taro – a potato like
root, Ahi Poke – a raw yellow fin tuna with green onions and
seaweed, He’e Poke, which is pieces of octopus cooked with onions
and salt, and taro salad. Taro and Lu’au leaf mixture with creamy
coconut milk, and local sweet potatoes sliced.
Then
the feast continued on with more food and our choice of steak,
chicken and rice, Maui style fish, or salmon, vegetables and salads.
It was truly a feast. When luau’s originally started, utensils
were not used to eat. They ate with their hands and sat on the
ground on mats.
As
the sun set, the sound of the Pu, a Hawaiian Conch Shell, sounded off
meaning the beginning of the show. The Pu blows like a trumpet and
can be heard as far away as two miles away. The Pu was used to warn
others of the arrival of troops or oncoming ships, as well as the
beginning of feasts or events.
They
started the show with an ancient Hula dance performance. This
section showed us stories of Pele, the fire Goddess who sent her
sister, Hi’iaka on a journey the distance of the Hawaiian islands
in search of her lover, Lohi’au. Then came a section about the
missionary’s that came to Hawaii and banned the hula from being
preformed in public. At King David Kalakaua coronation ceremony in
1883, he lifted the ban and hula was performed.
The
grass skirts that the hula dancers wear were introduced in the early
1800’s by laborers who arrived from the Gilbert Islands. They
used Ti leaves since they were wider than the grass that is used
today.
The
finale of the show was amazing with modern hula, and a fire and knife
dancing show which originated in Samoa. It was fascinating to watch
and scary at the same time since it is a fierce and dangerous dance.
This
night was one we will remember always and if you are considering
going to a Luau; go. You will not regret it. It is a fond memory
now that I will cherish for years to come
.
In
the early days of Luau’s, years ago, men and women did not share
meals together. Women and commoners were not allowed to eat certain
foods that were considered male foods. Some of the forbidden foods
were Mo, which is a reef fish, Pork, bananas, and Poi were all
considered masculine foods and only given to chiefs. They used
these ceremonies to honor their gods and attached certain foods to
celebrate the unity of people. In 1819, King Kamehameha II removed
all religious laws that were practiced. He sat down with the women
and shared a meal with them. That was when the first modern luau
party started and they used these celebrations for a victory at war,
launching a new canoe, or a baby surviving their first year.
What
an amazing tradition and we are so blessed the Hawaiians share their
history and culture with us. As the Hawaiian say, “Me Ke Aloha
Pumehana” - Warmest Aloha.
