A luau is a traditional Hawaiian party or feast, usually accompanied by entertainment such as traditional Hawaiian music, kanikapila, and hula. It often features Native Hawaiian dishes including poi, kalua pig, poke, lomi salmon, lomi oio, opihi, and haupia. Among people from Hawaii the idea of a luau has become closely tied to the general idea of a party, giving rise to occasion-specific versions such as graduation, wedding, baby, and birthday luaus.
Facts
Partially Attested
Origin Period, To (Year)1856 is the earliest attested use of the modern name (Pacific Commercial Advertiser), used as the close of the origin window that began in 1819; the source does not name it an end of the origin period. Origin Period, From (Year)Sourced to the subject's own account Origin RegionSourced to the subject's own account Connections
Associated With
Poi, Dishes Poi is one of the Native Hawaiian dishes traditionally served at a luau.
Poke, Dishes Poke is one of the Native Hawaiian dishes traditionally served at a luau.
Sources
1. Lūʻau (Wikipedia)
WikipediaLead paragraph
A lūʻau, often anglicized as luau, is a traditional Hawaiian party or feast that is usually accompanied by entertainment.
History section, first paragraph
in 1819, King Kamehameha II performed the act of eating with the women, thus ending the kapu, and entering the period called the ʻAi Noa.
View the Source 2. Lūʻau (Wikipedia)
History, second paragraph, modern name sentenceQuote, History, second paragraph, modern name sentence
The modern name goes back at least to 1856, when so used by the Pacific Commercial Advertiser.
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