Luau Oahu For A Traditional Feast

By Evelyn Walls


The beautiful island of Oahu is not to be missed. This island is home to the state capital, Honolulu. With over nine hundred thousand residents, Oahu has the largest population of all the islands. The remarkable sights of nature include the sunsets, the beaches, volcanoes, waterfalls and exquisite flora and fauna. What better way to celebrate this bounty of beauty than with a luau Oahu rich in Polynesian tradition.

Several local businesses have luau packages to suit your budget and your tastes. From the basic up to deluxe packages, the difference in price is not substantial. The festivities promise to be in keeping with traditions and culture of the island and its people.

Some packages are for the party, feast and entertainment. Others include so much more, so guests and tourists have the chance to immerse themselves in the Polynesian culture and history. This type of planned event lasts all day long, from noon to nine pm, and is priced comparably to the luau only package.

If you have never experienced this traditional island party, here is what you can expect. There will be Polynesian food like poi, fish, bananas and pork. Meat and fish are cooked underground in keeping with tradition. The festivities will include Hawaiian music and entertainment. Hula dancers in traditional grass skirts, leis and flowers in their long hair will perform. Some of the guests may want to join in the hula dancing. There will be non alcoholic punch for the underage set and exotic cocktails for the adults.

The feeling is one of togetherness and celebration. Historically, luaus were held to honor some milestone in the lives of islanders. They have never been considered as just a gathering for mealtime. Luaus have always been held in the spirit of unity, gathering friends and family to participate as one group. Long ago all the guests sat on the ground on a mat made of lauhala leaves from the hala tree.

The Oahu Polynesian Cultural Center is a wonderful resource for tourists. Their luaus are rich with the history and culture of the island. You can book tours of Diamond Head, have a guided tour of a volcano or visit Pearl Harbor. Be sure to visit their website to discover everything the Center offers.

Take some time to do some research and read what Oahu was like before and after the Westerners arrived. Oahu was a monarchy, and King Kamehameha the Great is possibly the most well known. In the 1800s the Christian missionaries came to convert the islanders. For better or worse, their mark is left to this day with the Christian churches and the melding of cultures.

The Hawaiian Islands joined the United States on August 21, 1959. The islands are officially a State, but they remain their own cultural experience. Certainly tourism and western business left their impression, but with any luck the fascinating culture of Oahu and the other Hawaiian islands will remain.




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