No visit to Hawaiโi would be complete without attending a lลซโau, an island feast featuring an abundance of tropical delicacies and an array of riveting hula performances. Originally called an โaha โaina or pฤโina in the old days, these feasts were a way to thank the gods and celebrate the bounty of the land. While lลซโau have changed significantly in modern times, itโs still an essential part of life in Hawaiโi and is something every visitor should experience. Here on the Garden Isle, there are different ways to lลซโau.
Set amidst a beautiful garden, the Grand Hyatt Kauaโi Luโau welcomes visitors with fresh flower lei to the sound of a blowing conch shell. Learn to hula, make Hawaiian crafts and watch wood carvers before heading to the open bar and all-you-can-eat buffet of salads, fresh island fish, roasted pig, coconut pudding and other traditional and contemporary Island favorites. The โHavaiki Nui … A Journey to New Landsโ show will take you on a journey across the Pacific, from Tahiti to New Zealand and Samoa and Hawaiโi, telling the epic tale of Polynesian migration, culminating in an exhilarating fire-knife performance. Thursdays and Saturdays, 5:30-8 pm. (808) 240-6546.
On Kauaโiโs โCoconut Coastโ on the banks of the sacred Wailua River, the Smith Family Garden Luโau is held on the grounds of Smithโs Tropical Paradise, a lush 30-acre cultural and botanical park. After touring the gardens, watch as a pig is ceremoniously unearthed from an imu, or underground oven. Meet members of the Smith family, who have been offering tours of Wailea River and Fern Grotto for four generations. During the luโau feast, the Rhythms of Aloha show includes traditional dances from around the Pacific and Asia in the spacious open-air, torch-lit Pele Amphitheater. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 5-9 pm. (808) 821-6895.
The Garden Isleโs โonly oceanfront luโauโ is just footsteps away from the crescent shaped Poโipu Beach. The Sheraton Kauaโi Resortโs โSurf to Sunset Luโauโ features award-winning entertainment, an extensive menu, and is great for the whole family. The elaborate banquet features both traditional Hawaiโi foods, like kฤlua pig, poi and poke, dishes inspired by North and Southeast Asia and an array of tropical desserts. Two packages are available, the traditional, or upgrade to the Golden Circle package which includes premier, stage-side seating, table service and a signature lei. Mondays and Fridays, 6 pm (808) 742-1661.
