Luau Customs

At a luau, food often is served in a hollowed-out pineapple shell.

Whether a resort luau, a traditional first-year birthday luau in Hawaii, or a summer luau on the mainland, the customs observed at the feast are quite similar. The luau traditionally features Hawaiian-style foods and beverages, tropical ambiance, music, Polynesian dance and flower leis.

The Buffet

Luau custom dictates that the feast be served buffet-style, and that the food be provided potluck style, by the hosts, or by a catering service. The food served at the luau (the Hawaiian language does not pluralize words) may be authentic Hawaiian or Pacific Rim, local fare and/or mainland foods with Hawaiian flavors. Authentic Hawaiian foods include desserts such as haupia (similar to pudding and made with coconut), side dishes such as sweet potatoes and poi, and always kalua pig.

Kalua Pig

Shredded pork with a smoky flavor, called kalua pig in Hawaii, is a luau custom both in the islands and on the mainland. Resorts in Hawaii, as well as many home cooks there, roast the pig in a the traditional Hawaiian style -- in an underground oven, called an imu, with banana and ti leaves. The popular alternative is to cook pork in a crock pot with smoke flavoring until it is tender enough to shred easily.

Drinks

Whether involving a host- or no-host bar, it's luau custom to serve tropical drinks such as Mai tais, along with beer, wine and non-alcoholic tropical blends. Children's luau customarily serve Hawaiian punch. Drinks are often served with cocktail umbrellas or other tropical garnishes. Some luau hosts go all out by creating cups out of hollowed out pineapples or coconut shells and setting up a tiki bar.

Ambiance

Luau custom calls for a friendly, relaxed, Polynesian ambiance. To this end, Hawaiian and other tropical d cor is often used. For example, in Hawaii the buffet table is often decorated with ti leaves. Tiki torches or other firelight, such as candles, are another popular luau custom. Faux or real plants, thematic table settings such as tiki, surf, floral or other Hawaiian designs are also used.

Flower Lei

At a resort luau in Hawaii, it is customary for every guest to be given a flower lei. At family and community luau in Hawaii and on the mainland, flower lei may also be given to every guest, or they may be reserved for the guest of honor. Depending on the size of the guest list and availability of flowers, the lei may be made with real flowers -- usually plumeria, carnation, or orchid -- or with artificial materials.

Music and Dance

In Hawaii, it is customary for hula to be danced at a luau and for Hawaiian music to be played. The commercial luau often participate in the custom of ending the luau show with the Samoan Fire Dance and may feature Hawaiian hula or a variety of Polynesian dance.

At the more informally hosted luau in Hawaii, guests so inclined spontaneously perform hula, play guitar and ukulele, and sing.

On the mainland, a hula or Polynesian dance troupe is more likely to be hired to entertain. The dancers traditionally bring their own recorded music and usually will bring up guests to dance at some point. The luau customarily will also include background Hawaiian music via recordings or a band.

Tags: luau Hawaii, luau custom, Polynesian dance, every guest, Hawaii customary