23 December 2015

Luau Waikiki For Fun And Food

By Evelyn Walls


On Oahu in the capital city of Honolulu, you can discover the white sandy beaches of Waikiki. This particular beachfront community attracts more than its share of tourists. If you are lucky, you will be one of them. With its public parks, amazing sunsets and bounty of nature at its most amazing, there will more things to do than time will allow. However, you will probably take time to eat every night, so this is one good reason to enjoy a luau Waikiki.

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.

You may be wondering what an imu is. It is an underground oven that Hawaiians use to cook an entire pig. The meat is steamed for hours making it very tender. At the imu ceremony Hawaiians dressed traditionally for the ceremony pull the cooked pig from the oven and take it to the kitchen for shredding. The ceremony is simple, but guests get a chance see how food is prepared on the islands. Shredded pork, sweet potatoes, fish and poi will be some of the items on the luau menu.

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.

At last, it will be time to eat a feast like you have never seen before. If food is a way to welcome guests, this buffet is one enormous welcome. Like many cultures, Hawaiians use food to give their guests a warm welcome.

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.

Your luau will give you the chance to experience several Hawaiian customs and traditions. Even though Hawaii became a part of the United States in 1959 it maintains its own culture and traditions. Despite the Western influences, much of the old Hawaii remains. The people are friendly and welcoming and eager to share their culture. Enjoy your fantasy vacation in paradise.




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