Luau and Hula

Luau and Hula– A Luau (Hawaiian: lūʻau, pronounced as “LOO-ow”) is a traditional Hawaiian party usually including food and entertainment. For most visitors to the Big Island, going to a Luau means joining many other tourists at a Luau experience including a buffet with food traditionally served at such events accompanied by a Polynesian show with music, dance, and stories.

Hula is a form of dance that is accompanies by a chant or song. Hula was first developed here on the Hawaiian islands and is a way of story telling: hula dancers portray the words being sung/chanted with a complex hand motions and a graceful dance motions.

History of Luau

The history of the Luau traces back to the year 1819 when King Kamehameha II removed the religious law mandating that men and women ate their meals separately. Soon after, the king performed the symbolic act of eating together with women thus holding arguably the first Luau. This means that the Luau as we know it today was created almost 200 years ago and as such represents part of Hawaiian history.

A Luau show is a fun way to spend your evening but is probably not liked by everyone. It is also by no means the only way to experience Hawaiian culture.If your main reason to visit a Luau is to get to know Hawaiian culture, you may be better off at one of the free Hula shows or other cultural events organized throughout the Big Island.

Painted Church Manta Ray Dives and Snorkeling