The popular modern Maui luaus date back to the 19th century, about the year 1918. It is hence very obvious that the origin of this culture is very ancient and deeply rooted in the royalty and religion of Hawaii. However, the modern tradition of Maui luaus has come up since the rule of a king in the 19th century, the original luau culture dates long time back. The olden days had seen women and the men who are not of royalty being forbidden from the meals due to some religious and social taboos.
However, the king (as aforementioned) prominently banished these customs and brought in a symbol of equality in the custom of Maui luaus by having a feast with not just the royal men but also with the women and all of his subjects. These Maui luaus have been carried over as the treasured culture for over a century now and are extremely popular all around the world.
The name ‘Luau’ of the popular Maui luaus came from the most popularly served dish named “Lu’au” which is a delicacy of chicken and young tender leaves of taro baked in coconut milk. The dish has been so popular, that till date it is served in most of the Maui luaus and is very much enjoyed by all.
With time, the feasts have continued to prosper, yet the traditional customs of Hawaii still intact among their different foods and ceremonies. The traditional way of eating the food was with one’s fingers while sitting on the mats called ‘lauhala’ on the floor. Large groups of people sit surrounding the tables, covered with leaves and decorated with large and attractive centerpieces of fragrant flowers and leaves. The tables hold the different kinds of food like vegetables, fruits, fish, and meat and ‘bowls of poi’.
With generations passing, the Maui luaus have become more and more popular as these feasts and entertaining nights became parts of the people’s lives. The entertainment of course had the major attraction – the popular hula dance. Along with the hula dance evolved another entertaining piece – the fire knife dance. Together the nights would accommodate beautiful themes to heart whelming music to thrilling dances with fire and knives.
People visiting this wonderful place of nature and love never miss the Maui luaus which are some of the most popular Maui activities.
It is said that the biggest luaus ever held had over fifteen hundred guests and the luau with the most number of dishes had 3125 salted fish, 4000 taro plants, 271 roasted pigs and 2245 coconuts served in a single night. With so much around the table and with so many hearts united at a place, the luaus have surely been unforgettable nights for the guests. The modern Maui luaus remain as attractive as before and yet they get better every time a heart enjoys the moments of traditional feasting, hula dance and of course the gathering of the loving hearts.
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