Luau

May 10th, 2004

Attend a Hawaii Luau
There are luaus to attend on every island, usually at a hotel, almost always at sunset. You are probably going to spend at least $50 per adult ticket for a quality luau. They last about 3 hours with plenty of food, good hawaiian music, and spirited hula dancing. I think every visitor would enjoy at least one.

Some Luau menu items

• Kalua Pig
  Usually authentically roasted in an imu (underground oven). I don't particularly like pork, but I love Kalua pig when it is offered at baby luaus or other parties we go to.
• Poi
  Traditional Hawaiian starch made from pounding taro root and fermenting it. I don't like poi too much, but I will dop other food in it, like my kalua pig - that is quite good.
• Lomi Lomi Salmon
  Salmon, sweet onion, and tomato diced or shredded and mixed. Quite tasty.
• Chicken Long Rice
  Mmmm mmm, yummy. Make sure you try the chicken long rice - this is my absolute favorite. it looks kind of like watery chicken swimming in noodles and tastes quite unique, but mild enough that most people like it.
  
  Most luaus will also have fresh island fruit and other traditional hawaiian foods, plus chicken or fish or other items for people who prefer other foods.

How to throw your own luau
Here in Hawaii, there is no end to luau-catering businesses for baby's first birthday or other parties. On the mainland however, you may have to get creative.

Kid Luau
Ideas for crafty games and projects that kids will enjoy helping with.

Traditional Luau Ideas

Oriental Trading's Luau Items
If you need lots of hawaiian-themed party favors or invitations try this section of the oriental trading site. We ordered pinata-fillers for my son's first birthday from Oriental Trading. The prices were spectacular and the shipping was reasonable and quick, however, some of the stuff we got was pretty cheaply-made and fell apart easily (we paid very little for it so it really didn't surprise me).