Home > Dining > Alii Luau
Discover
Hawaii's finest luau at the Polynesian Cultural Center
The Polynesian
Cultural Center's Alii Luau, which offers visitors and kama'aina alike
the best value and richest experience in all Hawaii, includes:
• |
A
flower lei greeting |
•
|
Hula,
of course |
• |
Hawaiian
music and entertainment |
•
|
Multi-lingual
hosts and hostesses |
• |
Comfortable,
covered seating |
•
|
All-you-can-eat
buffet service |
• |
The
Alii or royal court |
•
|
Clear
views of the imu ceremony |
• |
Authentic
Hawaiian food, served throughout the evening |
•
|
The
Center's "Ambassador of Aloha" emcee |
…and
the complete Polynesian Cultural Center experience,
including seven villages, the Rainbows of Paradise canoe
show, PCC's IMAX™ Theater
screenings, and lower-level seating for the spectacular Horizons evening
show. Luau in general, and the PCC's Alii Luau in particular, are
rich in Hawaiian and Polynesian heritage. Indeed, after Hawaii and
aloha, luau may be the best-known Hawaiian word in the world.
Discover
for yourself why the Polynesian Cultural Center's Alii Luau has
justifiably inherited the deeper
meanings of Hawaiian hospitality
and joy
inherent in this ancient feast, and add this unforgettable experience
to your Hawaiian vacation.
Learn
more about:
Throughout
the world, feasting has been and is a universal form of celebrating
happy and important events. However, the Polynesians, and especially
Hawaiians, have evolved this great pleasure into a truly unique cultural
experience.
Before
contact with the western world, Hawaiians called their important
feasts an 'aha 'aina. These feasts marked special occasions — such
as reaching a significant life milestone, the launching of a new
canoe or a great endeavor.
A few survive in modern forms, such as the luau for the one-year-old
baby, a graduation or wedding, that are common among Hawaiian and
local families
who
may not even realize the practice has ancient origins.
Historically,
the food and practices observed at an 'aha 'aina were rich with symbolism
and the entire event was designed to
unite the
participants,
similar
to the way the old Hawaiians braided strands of coconut husk
fiber, or sennit, into thicker 'aha cords and rope. For example,
certain
foods might represent
strength, while the names or attributes of other food items might
relate to virtues or goals the participants hoped to achieve.
Starting
about 150 years ago the term luau gradually replaced 'aha 'aina.
Luau, in Hawaiian and other Polynesian languages,
is actually
the name
of the taro
leaf, which when young and small is cooked like spinach and
is often mixed with other foods, creating Hawaiian favorites
such
as luau squid or luau chicken;
but today, luau is the commonly accepted name of a Hawaiian
feast.
Even so,
the abundant food served at the modern Alii Luau represents the
aloha spirit that brings guests and islanders
together in
a memorable setting
at
the Polynesian Cultural Center. Or as "Cousin" Benny
Kai, the PCC's "Ambassador
of Aloha" says, "Whenever you're at a Hawaiian
luau, you are 'ohana — family."
Come join
our family.
| Luau
Customs and Ceremonies |
|
The Polynesian
Cultural Center's Alii Luau is an immensely enjoyable experience
that can be broken into several
components
• |
A
flower lei greeting |
• |
Souvenir
picture taking (not included in the price of the package) |
• |
An
optional pineapple smoothie (not included in the price of the
package) |
• |
Live
Hawaiian music, including steel guitar styling. |
• |
The
Polynesian Cultural Center's own Ambassador of Aloha master of
ceremonies explains the cultural significance of the luau and
hosts the program |
• |
Polynesian
Cultural Center performers start the program portion of the Ali'i
Luau by singing a pule, or The Queen's Prayer — written
by Hawaii's last reigning monarch, Queen Lili'uokalani |
• |
The
Royal Court — consisting of representatives of Hawaii's
ruling alii or chiefs — enter the luau as the emcee explains
their relative ranks and the significance of their traditional
costumes |
• |
Two
young men uncover the imu or underground oven where a large pig
has been cooking throughout the afternoon. Ancient Polynesians
essentially devised a steam oven, called an imu in Hawaiian:
River rocks are heated over firewood for several hours. When
the rocks are sufficiently hot, any remaining firewood is removed
and crushed banana stumps containing a lot of water are placed
on top of the hot rocks — creating the steam — then
the food is added, and everything is covered to seal in the steam.
Depending on the amount of food, it may take hours for the feast
to cook |
• |
Multi-lingual
hosts and hostesses direct each table to one of the buffet
stations. Eat as much of the luau food as you like. Go back several
times; or as Cousin Benny, the PCC's Ambassador of Aloha says, "Don't
eat until you're full; eat until you're dizzy." |
• |
While
you're eating, the program continues with hula kahiko or hula
performed in the ancient style to the accompaniment of chants,
drums and other percussion instruments; and hula auana, the graceful
modern hula to the sounds of the steel guitar and beautiful Hawaiian
music. |
• |
At
some point in the program, the Ambassador of Aloha usually recognizes
people who are celebrating their birthdays; and he always invites
couples celebrating their wedding or anniversaries to come on
stage and dance to the Hawaiian Wedding Song. |
• |
Did
we mention you can go back to the buffet line as often as you
like? |
• |
Keiki,
or children, in the audience are invited onstage to join the
familiar strains of Aloha 'Oe, which brings the entertainment
portion of the Alii Luau to a close...but guests are welcome
to sit and relax for another half-hour; and, of course, go back
for thirds. |
The Polynesian
Cultural Center serves authentic modern Hawaiian food at its Alii
Luau, some based on ancient recipes, including several specialties
offered in sampler sized portions:
• |
Poi,
the traditional Hawaiian staple. It is a starch dish made by
pounding boiled taro roots and mixing with water until it reaches
a smooth consistency. "Taro is one of the most nutritious
starches on the planet," says Ambassador of Aloha Cousin
Benny. Some Hawaiians eat their poi with salt, some with sugar,
even soy sauce. Some like it thicker or thinner. Others like
it several days old for a little extra tang; and malahini, or
newcomers, might find it more to their liking at first if they
eat it with a bite of the other meat dishes. |
• |
For
those willing to try anything once, we offer poke, or raw fish
marinated in soy sauce, a dash of seaweed, onions, and other condiments. Normally
offered in the Hawaiian-style of raw fish with sea salt and seaweed,
we've chosen the more familiar modern preparation to introduce you to this
island favorite. If you want the more Hawaiian-style version, you'll
need to go a mom-and-pop local store, backyard luau or small Hawaiian restaurant
to get a taste. |
• |
Lomilomi salmon. In Hawaiian, lomilomi means to massage, or in this case
to break the salmon into small pieces, which are then mixed with
tomatoes, onions, and other small condiments, giving it a delicious
tangy taste that goes great with poi.This style of fish preparation
was introduced to Hawaii by early western sailors. |
| < |
