Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Luau
In ancient Hawaii, a luau commemorated auspicious occasions, such as births, war vic-
tories or successful harvests. Modern luau celebrations, typically for weddings or a
baby's first birthday, are often large banquet-hall gatherings of the
ʻohana
(extended
family and friends). The menu might be daring - including Hawaiian delicacies such as
raw
ʻaʻama
(black crab) and
ʻopihi
(limpet) - but the entertainment low-key.
Hawaii's commercial luau started in the 1970s. Today, only these shows offer the elab-
orate Hawaiian feast and Polynesian dancing and fire eaters that folks expect. Bear in
mind, the all-you-can-eat buffet of luau standards is toned down for the Western palate,
with
kalua
pig, steamed mahimahi and teriyaki chicken. Most commercial luau are over-
priced and overly touristy, but one stands out: Maui's Old Lahaina Luau (
Click here
)
.
Food Festivals & Events
Festivals often showcase island-grown crops, such as the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival
on the Big Island, Hana's East Maui Taro Festival, the Maui Onion Festival in Kaʻanap-
ali, Oʻahu's Wahiawa Pineapple Festival, the Big Island Chocolate Festival in Kailua-
Kona and the Kapaʻa Coconut Festival on Kauaʻi. Beer drinkers should mark their calen-
dars for the Big Island's Kona Brewers Festival. And only in Hawaii will you find the
Waikiki Spam Jam, held on Oʻahu.
Gourmet culinary events are all the rage across the islands. On Oʻahu, Restaurant
Week Hawaii brings dining-out deals and special menus, while the Hawaiʻi Food & Wine
Festival lets star chefs and island farmers shine in Honolulu and Ko Olina. Honolulu's
Hawaii Fishing & Seafood Festival is a briny family-friendly feast. Maui hosts the Kap-
alua Wine & Food Festival for gourmands. Kauaʻi's Spring Gourmet Gala in Lihuʻe and
Taste of Hawaii in Wailua bring top chefs to the island, while the Garden Island Range &
Food Festival at Kilohana Plantation showcases cattle ranchers and farmers. The Big Is-
land's A Taste of the Hawaiian Range agricultural festival happens at the Hilton Waiko-
loa Village resort.
Where To Eat & Drink
The dining scene in Honolulu, with its variety and quantity, is a lot different than the
Neighbor Islands. On Kauaʻi, you can count the number of established Japanese restaur-
ants on one hand, while Oʻahu's selection will number in the hundreds, from impeccable
sushi bars to noodle shops to trendy
izakaya
(Japanese pubs serving tapas-style food).
That said, the Big Island and especially Maui are closer to Oʻahu as trendsetters, whether
at casual farm-to-table cafės or star chef's dining rooms.
