Monday, 7 December 2015

Choose A Hawaii Luau For Culture And Cuisine

By Evelyn Walls


There is Hawaii the state, and there is Hawaii the island, commonly known as the Big Island. The state is made up of eight main islands and numerous smaller islands. If the Big Island is your destination, you can enjoy a Hawaii luau to learn about the cuisine and the culture.

Hawaii is called the Big Island. This nickname may be to eliminate confusion of the outsiders and to help them distinguish the Hawaii island from the state of the same name. Kona coffee plantations are big on the island and an important source of revenue. The five volcanoes alone would be worth the trip. The surrounding Pacific Ocean is home to vibrant coral reefs and dolphins and whales.

The luaus typically last three to four hours. Most of the luxurious hotels located on the Big Island hold their own feast, each with a different underlying theme. Any one of these will give you an evening to remember.

At the King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel you will discover the Island Breeze Luau. Guests are greeted by being adorned with a shell lei. They are given some free time to explore the array of arts and crafts presented. The evening would not be complete without a pig cooked in an underground oven called an imu. Retrieving the pig from the imu is a ceremony that shows the ancient way food was and still is prepared. The main attraction for this event is the Royal Court making a grand entrance dressed in traditional royal garb. The excitement mounts as the outrigger canoe approaches. Finally, the buffet is spread out and guests are entertained with a Polynesian revue.

The Fairmont Orchid Hotel proudly presents the Gathering of the Kings Luau. The entire event is a fusion of Polynesian and Hawaiian cuisine and culture. The dinner menu is on the exotic side, so they offer simple macaroni and cheese for children and the less adventurous guests. A fusion of modern and Polynesian dance will relay the stories of Hawaiian kings and the meaning of the star that guided each king. Hula dancers and the flamboyant knife and fire dance round out the evening.

You might select the Haleo Luau at the Sheraton Kona Resort. This particular one focuses strongly on the history of the culture and is most educational for the guests. The events are held under the hala trees where guests are immersed in the Hawaiian culture and history. The show will tell the stories of significant events in history, like the birth of King Kamehameha III and the surfing stories from another king, King Kalakaua. Many westerns do not realize that Hawaii was a monarchy for most of its history.

The Royal Kona Resort offers the Royal Kona Luau, which is similar to the Island Breeze. This one is billed as the best value. The revue uses dance and song to describe the story of ancient Polynesians making an epic journey across the Pacific Ocean and finally settling in Kona. True to the Polynesian theme, the last dance is the impressive Samoan fire dance.

Each of these luaus is wonderful in its own unique way. You cannot make a bad choice. With fine dining steeped in culture you will learn something about the Hawaiian people. This feast will round out your time in paradise.




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