Hawaiian Luaus in Kauai

The traditional Hawaiian luau can only be found in Hawaii and thus your visit to Kauai would be incomplete without attending at least one Hawaiian feast. There are a number of Hawaiian luaus on Kauai and they all include luau food, hula dancing the fire dance and other aspects popularized most recently in the Disney movie Lilo and Stitch.

Kauai luaus are essentially a giant feast which includes Hawaiian entertainment such as the hula dancing and a considerable amount of socialization in the tradition of the "aloha spirit".

The food at a Kauai luau: No Hawaiian feast is complete without luau food and the sharing of the "gift of food" is an integral part of every Hawaiian luau on Kauai.

The main ingredient in any of the luaus is what is referred to as the "Kalua Pork" or pig. Preparations for the cooking of the pig are begun early in the morning of the day of your Kauai luau. A large pit is dug in the sand, which is called the "imu". Dry, Kiawe hardwood (known in North America as Mesquite) is placed into the pit with many rounded river rocks assembled on top. The wood is lit on fire and after a couple of hours all that is left on the bottom are hot coals and incredibly hot rocks which will maintain the heat for hours to come. The rocks are then evened out on the bottom of the pit and juicy fresh cut banana stalks are placed on top followed by banana leaves to provide a bed to place the pig upon. The pig is then place in the pit and covered with more banana leaves and ti leaves and usually a gunnysack to keep the heat in. A tarp of some kind is then placed over the whole affair and then the pit is covered with beach sand. The rocks heat the juicy banana stalks causing a steam or pressure cooker effect in the imu and after about 6 to 8 hours the pig is unveiled. The intense steam has cooked the meat to the extent that it just falls away from the bone and the moisture from the banana stalks has kept the meat moist and delicious.

Other delicacies which are usually provided at Kauai luaus are chicken long rice, lomi lomi salmon, haupia (coconut desert), poi (very nutritious), veggies, salad, steaks, roasted chicken, fresh fish, rice, lots of specialty items, deserts and much more. An open bar is also usually provided on most Kauai luaus which includes Mai Tai's and other adult beverages. The children are provided with lots to drink as well.

Although you will probably find a number of the items on your plate at your Hawaiian feast that are unusual to say the least, you can rest assured that there will still be plenty of luau food available that has some semblance of what you are familiar with.

The entertainment at a Kauai luau: Another integral part of every Kauai luau is of course the entertainment including hula dancing and the fire knife dance. Here you will find some variation with regard to what various Kauai luaus provide. Only a very few of the luaus in Hawaii are traditional Hawaiian in that they will only provide dance and song that is specific to the culture of old Hawaii. No such luaus exist on Kauai. The vast majority of the others will provide entertainment that can be found from other cultures throughout the Pacific Rim such as from Tahiti, Samoa, Fiji, and New Zealand. The most notable and perhaps the most famous and exciting of all forms of entertainment at the Kauai luaus would be the fire dance from the island of Samoa. This usually comes near the end of each luau and is a favorite among children in the spirit of Lilo and Stitch.

All Kauai luaus are held during sunset. Each luau will last about three hours or so in duration and there is no question that you will not only leave full and happy, but with an extra bit of the "spirit of aloha" that Hawaii is so famous for.

Helpful Tips from Tom Barefoot - Luaus in Kauai:

• Hawaii is the only place to attend an authentic Hawaiian luau, this is a "don't miss" on your list of things to do on Kauai.

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