Tuesday, December 15, 2015

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.

Luaus tend to have a sequence of events, so here is what takes place at a typical luau. You can get round trip transportation so your ride to and from the luau will be worry free. As soon as guests arrive a beautiful lei is draped around their necks. Leis are often made of flowers, but they can also be made of shells and kukua nuts. The imu ceremony will be the next item on the agenda.

An imu is used to cook the pig. It is a large underground oven where the pig is wrapped and steamed for hours. At the imu ceremony, traditionally dressed Hawaiians remove the pig from the oven and transport it to the kitchen where it will be shredded. This simple ceremony shows the value that the Hawaiian people place on customs and culture. The feast you are about to enjoy will include the pulled pork, fresh fish, sweet potatoes, poi and other native dishes.

Next up will be the hukailau, which is a way of fishing done by Hawaiians since ancient times. A big net is placed in the ocean and everyone gets together when it is time to pull the net out of the sea. The net will be filled with fresh fish for dinner. Many simple customs in Hawaii continue to be done much the same as Hawaiian ancestors did them in the past.

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.

After all these festivities, it will be time to eat. The buffet will have more food than you thought possible. Cultures around the world share the custom of offering food to guests as a warm welcome. This is also true for Hawaiians. Everyone present will share in this welcoming feast.

Luaus come in a range of prices from a basic package to a deluxe package. The difference in price per reservation is around sixty dollars. If you purchase a deluxe package you may receive a Hawaiian gift made by the locals. If your party is small in number, you might as well go with a deluxe package.

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.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment