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Maui Luau - Food Music & DanceLuau is the Hawaiian word for feast, and that is exactly what you get - first a gastronomical feast of Hawaiian food, then a visual feast of dance and music on stage. This page describes what you will do at a luau - you can also read our reviews about any of the nine Maui luaus such as the Old Lahaina Luau or Drums of the Pacific luau.
Luau Food
ImuFirst you feast on traditional Hawaiian foods such as kalua pig roasted in an imu - a sort of natural sand underground steam oven.On the morning of the luau, river rocks are placed over firewood and heated. After several hours the firewood is removed and plants, such as crushed banana stumps saturated with water, are placed on top of the hot rocks to create the steam. Kalua PigThen the kaluau pig is placed in the pit and covered to seal in the steam.
Other foods may also be steamed in the imu along with the kalua pig. The word kalua comes from ka (the) lua (hole) - food that comes from the hole - the imu underground oven. PoiDuring the luau, you will get to taste other Hawaiian staples. Poi is prepared by first steaming or baking the root of the taro plant, then mashing the cooked root until it is a liquid.
Poi is referred to as two finger or three finger, depending on how many fingers are needed to scoop it out of the bowl based on how gooey it is. The poi story is better than the poi taste and appearance - for the normal vacationer, poi looks like purple paste, and a couple spoonfuls is our normal ration. Haupia
Haupia (coconut custard) is a luau staple for dessert. Haupia is more like a gelatin-based dessert than a custard or pudding. Cut into squares and served alone, it has a smooth texture.
Haupia is integrated into all types of desserts - you may be served haupia pie or haupia cake. Even the Hawaii McDonalds replaced the filling in their apple pie turnover with haupia and created a Haupia Pie.
When you place all your luau food such as kalua pig, lomi-lomi salmon, macaroni salad, poi, and haupia on your platter, the end result is visually appealing. Then you get to settle back and enjoy the luau music and dance.
Luau Music and DanceMany luaus offer an hour or so of Hawaiian crafts and Hawaiian activities as guests are arriving, getting their official luau portrait taken (offered for sale after the luau), and wandering around the luau grounds with refreshments. Then after your feast of Hawaiian luau food, you have a visual feast with a show of dance and music. Different luaus have different combinations of Hawaiian, Samoan, Tongan, Tahitian, and other types of Polynesian culture. You may see two types of hula at a Hawaiian luau. The first type is hula kahiko - ancient style hula performed to the accompaniment of chants, drums and other percussion instruments.
Depending on which luau you attend, you may be treated to a traditional Hawaiian hula dance, and menacing New Zealand Maoris (the mean looking men that hang their tongues out at you). The grand finale for most luaus is the Samoan fire knife performance.
To get the current exact cost and schedule for any Hawaii luau, or to make reservations, click here to go to the barefoot Tours website. Click on the Hawaiian island where you will be staying, then select Luaus.
Or call 888-820-2097 to call Maui and talk to a luau expert at Barefoot Tours right now (they're on Hawaii time). Tell them Randy Willis sent you.
Other Maui Luau PagesWatch some free Maui hula shows, or find the right luau for you without blowing your budget.Maui luaus Overview Lahaina LuausFeast at LeleOld Lahaina Luau Kaanapali LuausHyatt Maui LuauWailele Polynesian Luau Royal Lahaina Luau Kaanapali Sunset Luau South Maui LuausWailea Marriott Luau
Maui Prince Luau
What will I do and see at a luau? Selecting a luau? Best Maui Luau Watch Maui luau videos View Maui luau pictures View or print Maui luau map What is Ulalena? Go to Barefoot Tours website for Maui luau cost, schedule or reservations. Click on Maui, then select Luaus. Return to Maui Luau Reviews from Maui Luaus
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After the pig has roasted for several hours in the covered underground pit imu, it is uncovered in a ceremony at the beginning of the luau.
Water is added to get to different levels of mushiness, from liquid to dough-like.
The second type is hula auana - the graceful modern hula performed to the accompaniment of songs and Western syle musical instruments such as the ukulele, double bass, and guitar and steel guitar.
