Hawaii Luaus And Shows

Oahu Luaus And Shows

Rich History of Oahu Luau

Of all the Hawaiian activities, the Oahu Luau has the distinction of being the very first activity of the visitor industry in Hawaii. After all it was the luaus in Oahu that were a prominent feature in the first entertainment that was presented to the first visitors to the first hotels in Waikiki in the early 1900's. The luau tradition was transferred from the Hawaiian host culture to the visitors of the islands in ceremonies that forever established the luau as the quintessential Hawaiian activity. In the years since, those first luaus have emanated outward to the neighbor islands but the original roots of the luau feasts enjoyed by Hawaii visitor's have remained firmly entrenched in the history of twentieth century Oahu. Tom Barefoot's Tours offers discounted pricing to many of these Hawaiian feasts on Oahu and other islands as well.

Luaus in Oahu are still the premier activity on the island

Oahu's rich history of luaus has continued forward with many shows offered-up for the visitor's enjoyment. They still can be found in Waikiki and throughout the island and these programs remain the #1 activity appreciated by visitors to the island! Oahu luaus are heavily steeped in Hawaiian history, Polynesian history, hula dancing and all facets of Hawaiian culture.

Generations of visitors have come back again and again to enjoy an Oahu Luau

Oahu of course was the very first of the Hawaiian Islands to establish a tourist industry and since the quintessential Hawaiian form of entertainment is the luau feast, these luaus were the first to become known in Hawaii. Over the decades generations of visitors have attended Oahu's many island luaus and certainly it could be said that your visit to the island would be incomplete without enjoying one of these wonderful Hawaiian shows.

Your Oahu Luau is no longer just in Waikiki

One unusual aspect of the luaus in Oahu is that many of the larger ones are located some distance from the tourist centers of Waikiki. As a result these luaus will all provide transportation "to and from" or if you have your own vehicle you could drive on your own. If you're looking for a luau within walking distance to your Waikiki hotel, that can be arranged as well as Waikiki Beach has had a rich tradition of providing luau entertainment for visitors since the early part of the nineteen-hundreds.

The Food Options at your Feast

All of your luaus will provide the basics in terms of food preparation which are "by in large" traditional and are essential for any luau in Hawaii. These staples in cuisine will first and foremost include the Kalua Pork which is prepared in the underground oven or "imu".

Preparation of the Imu

• Early in the morning of the day of the event a big pit is dug in the sand.
• Kiawe logs (you might know them as Mesquite) are thrown in the bottom and lit on fire.
• Into the fire are now placed large river rocks which will in turn get extremely hot and will contain the heat for many hours to come.
• Over the hot rocks are placed freshly cut banana stalks and on those stalks is placed the pig over which are laid banana leaves and ti leaves to contain the moisture and steam produced from the juicy banana stalks.
• The entire imu pit is then covered by a tapa cloth or tarp and then covered with sand so that no steam will escape.
• At the time of your luau the pig is unearthed and the meat is so thoroughly cooked that it just falls away from the bone.

Additional foods included in your Feast

In addition to the pig your luau will also always include lomi lomi salmon, chicken long rice, poi, laulau, haupia and other Hawaiian delicacies. Much of the food found at your island dinner may seem foreign to you but you should taste it all. There will also always be plenty of more familiar foods at your luau which will include salads of all kinds, fish, beef, chicken, breads, rice dishes and a variety of desserts. Generally there will also be a full complement of alcoholic beverages, beer, wine and mai tai's and fruit juices and soft drinks.

The Entertainment

• The entertainment will take many forms but will of course always include Hawaiian hula dancing. Many luaus in Oahu will give you the opportunity to get up on stage and show off your newly acquired hula dancing skills which you will learn about and perfect right there on stage.
• Hawaiian chanting and dancing will also be a large part of any presentation and storytelling through the art of dance is an important part of the luau tradition.
• Most luaus will also pay tribute to their Polynesian ancestors and neighboring island cousins as the song and dance of the various islands of Polynesia are performed on stage. You will enjoy performances from the cultures of the islands of Samoa, Fiji, New Zealand and Tahiti. As a finale to most luaus you will be treated to the Fire-Knife Dance from the island of Samoa and this is almost always the favorite of the children.

The oahu luau is held at sunset time and continues into the evening and is filled with the romance of the islands and its people. Whether you're a child or a senior citizen, just-married or celebrating your 65th, this evening will be a special one for you, and a uniquely Hawaiian experience.