Old Lahaina Luau, Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii

“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

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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.