What Is a Luau in Hawaii? A Deep Dive Into Local Traditions

The Best Way To Experience a Hawaiian Luau

By Melissa Alvarado Sierra | Published on August 16, 2025

A luau in Hawaii is a vibrant cultural festivity, celebrating significant events with Hawaiian food, dance, music and stories. During my visit to the Hawaiian islands, I knew I could not leave without attending a luau. Everyone I knew recommended making it the number one item on my Hawaii vacation bucket list, and for good reason. These exciting parties are a fun way to get to know Hawaii, though I wanted to know more about luau history before I experienced one for myself. I also discovered that these celebrations, sometimes called aha aina, have evolved into a traditional Hawaiian festivity and continue to thrive in Hawaiian luaus across all the islands, from Oahu to Maui. So, what is a luau? Let's find out.

What Is A Hawaiian Luau?

First things first: What is a luau party? Luaus are traditional festivals that feature live mele (songs), hula (dance) and mea‘ai (food). These cultural performances and dishes are from Hawaii and greater Polynesian culture. Grand luau events form a significant part of Hawaiian culture and life, a time for locals to celebrate family milestones. Luaus are also held to honor guests and visitors, which is why public luaus take place all across the Hawaiian Islands. I joined this spectacular attraction and had some of the most delicious Hawaiian cuisine, sipped on local drinks under the stars and watched authentic hula performances that told important stories of these paradisiacal islands.

While you can attend a luau during daytime, sunset's usually the best time to visit. Many ceremonies incorporate the setting sun into the performance, and the fires become even more striking as night begins to creep in. Whether you’re looking to experience a luau feast showcasing cooked imu (underground oven) delicacies, the luau celebration offers guests a chance to immerse themselves in local culture. If you're cruising to Hawaii with the kids, a luau is a family-friendly event for even tiny travelers.

To learn more Hawaiian luau history, I visited the Polynesian Cultural Center in Oahu and then the Smith Family Garden Luau in Kauai, though there are popular luaus on each island. Some of the best luaus in Hawaii include:

• Germaine's Luau and Chief's Luau in Oahu
• Smith Family Garden Luau and Luau Kalamaku in Kauai
• The Myths of Maui and Old Lahaina Luau in Maui
• Island Breeze Luau and Hawaii Loa on Hawaii Island

In each of them, you'll see various elements of cultural significance, from knife dancing to hula dancing, and learn about popular luau locations, like Paradise Cove luau, which is known for its breathtaking seaside views.

Dance the night away at a luau when you cruise to Hawaii.

What Is the Purpose of a Luau?

How Did Luaus Become Internationally Popularized?

Luaus became internationally recognized in 1946, when Don Beach, an American adventurer and "founding father" of tiki culture, threw a birthday party at his Encino, California, plantation for model and actress Anita Colby. According to Life magazine, the party's theme was something very close to a luau. Beach had traveled extensively throughout the Polynesian islands and Hawaii and had been fascinated by how people celebrated milestones. Those attending his party shared that the venue featured banana trees, palms, suckling pig and coconut-stuffed salmon, as well as dancers in sarongs. They all ate on the floor and drank delicious concoctions from hollowed pineapples, instantly falling in love with the island theme. But it wasn't until the 1960s, when Hawaiian and surf culture became hugely popular, that the luau gained momentum, both as a tourist attraction and a Hawaiian export.

What's the Significance of Food in a Hawaiian Luau?

Luaus, new and ancient, focus on one particular aspect: the cherishing of good food. In ancient Hawaii, the luau was called "aha'aina" and it was deeply religious and restrictive, prohibiting men and women from eating together. Traditional Hawaiian luau foods at the time, like moi, pork and bananas, were only eaten by chiefs and the King of ancient Hawaii, mainly because these foods symbolized virtues the person consuming them hoped to attain. King Kamehameha II abolished the Kapu (taboo) system in 1819 and commemorated this trailblazing decision with a feast that included women. With this change, he revolutionized the tradition and ended the religious influence on Hawaiian celebrations. This, in turn, gave way to the modern luau. Understanding this historic background made me appreciate how luaus in Hawaii have become so welcoming and inclusive today.

What Is Served at a Luau?

Some luaus today serve plated meals, though most are presented in the form of a buffet or "ohana," which is the family-style sharing of food. The modern Hawaiian luau mirrors the state's multicultural society and because of this, you can expect the traditional luau foods to vary depending on where you go. This also applies to family luaus — they are as varied as the families that prepare them. I attended a visitor luau, which served dishes like pork, rice and fresh fruits.

Intrigued by the idea of a Hawaiian luau? Imagine this: Heart-pounding Hawaiian chanting, captivating dance routines, and sweet-scented leis. I had arrived at my first luau and a feast awaited. As soon as I laid eyes on the buffet, I knew this was a festival of food, a celebration of Hawaiian bounty. This took me back to my visit to the Polynesian Cultural Center, where I learned that ancient luaus consisted of what trans-Pacific Polynesians could carry on their canoes, mainly fish, birds, breadfruit, coconut, seaweed and taro. Once the Hawaiian archipelago started to receive an influx of foreigners — mostly missionaries and whalers from Japan, Korea, China, Portugal and the Philippines — influences began to take hold. What I was witnessing at the luau's buffet was a product of all of those culinary connections. I even saw lomi salmon served alongside staples like cooked imu pork, which underscored how diverse and layered this luau feast can be.

The long buffet tables looked like beautiful gardens. They were adorned with palm fronds, taro leaves and flowers. I grabbed a plate and tried kalua pig (Hawaii’s shredded pork), which is cooked in in the imu oven. This was love at first bite for me, one of my top five favorite dishes. Then it was time to try chicken long rice, a savory soup introduced by the Chinese and made with chicken, onions, ginger, garlic and, you guessed it, long rice.

Next was Huli-Huli chicken, a classic roadside dish known as "only-in-Hawaii food" by locals. It's barbecued chicken, but don't be fooled, this is not average. Here, the secret is literally in the sauce — a blend of brown sugar, honey, sherry, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, Sriracha, soy sauce and ketchup. I have one word: Scrumptious. Another favorite dish was the Molokai uala (sweet potatoes), which was a staple in early Polynesian diets. They are simply made, usually baked or roasted with minimal seasoning. The ones I tried had shaved coconut on top and were simply delicious. Lastly, I felt lucky to try haupia. I still have dreams where I'm running toward a tray of this dessert. It's a heavenly pudding made with sugar, vanilla and coconut milk, then dusted with toasted coconut. Need I say more?

What To Expect When You Attend Luaus In Hawaii

A Hawaiian luau is an opportunity to share a beloved local tradition and share that experience with friends and family. It's also a time to celebrate life and your incredible Hawaiian family vacation — and the experience is worth every second of the wait.

What is appropriate to wear to a luau?

First, make sure to dress casually and comfortably as you dance the night away. Luaus are informal events that take place outdoors where you will typically sit to eat on the floor, so stretchy fabrics and breezy layers are recommended. Bright colors and floral prints will definitely help you dress the part! Upon arrival, you will most likely be greeted with a kukui nut or flower lei, these are a sign of affection and being welcomed. You should always accept the lei as a sign of respect.

From start to finish, a Hawaiian luau is a performance. Before eating, there will be an imu ceremony. The hosts will remove layers of cloth and leaves from the oven to reveal the food you will be eating later at the buffet. After the feast, the dancing commences! Talented performers will dance in the traditional style, such as the hula dance, to Hawaiian and Polynesian music. Sometimes, luaus even end with a dazzling Samoan fire dance, marking the end of an incredible experience on your Hawaiian vacation.