Lu'aus were originally celebrated after a child survived its first year - the ancient Hawaiian population dropped from 1 million to 40,000 in just one generation after contact with Europeans.
Before the meal, performers and artisans held wonderfully informative discussions and demonstrations of old Hawaiian crafts, cooking, fishing, etc. (We even learned how to kill an octopus!) Then, they unveiled the kalua pua'a (pig cooked over coals in an "imu" or underground oven) and the feast began! (Pssst! You might want to check back tomorrow for more about the kalua pig... Hint hint!)We sampled lomi lomi salmon (diced tartare-style with tomatoes and sweet Maui onions), poi (from mashed taro root), laulau (pork wrapped and steamed in taro leaves), island style mahi mahi, bbq mango chicken, and MANY other delicacies!
Ono loa! (Very delicious!)
Most importantly, the performances were spectacular, beginning with the kahiko (ancient) style telling folklore of Pele the Fire Goddess and continuing through 'auana (modern) style when beachboys serenaded their wahine (women). Here's a short video showing some of the opening hula, just to give you a taste of the fun. Aloha oe!
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