Friday, December 4, 2015

Luau Oahu For A Traditional Feast

By Evelyn Walls


Everyone who is lucky enough to have the chance to visit the beautiful island Oahu should really get into the spirit of the island culture. Be sure to see all the iconic sights and the beautiful beaches and sunsets. Also be sure to celebrate your time there by booking a luau Oahu. Luau guests begin to feel as if they were born in this naturally magnificent paradise.

Several local businesses have luau packages to suit your budget and your tastes. From the basic up to deluxe packages, the difference in price is not substantial. The festivities promise to be in keeping with traditions and culture of the island and its people.

There are packages that are strictly for the luau feast. Other packages include island village tours, canoe rides and more. These are all day packages that are topped off with the luau festivities. The prices for all packages are more reasonable than you would expect, so be sure to include this in your travel budget.

If this will be your first luau you can expect some the the following features. The food will be traditional Polynesian such as poi, fish, sweet potatoes and pork from a pig cooked slowly for hours in the ground. Naturally you can expect Hawaiian music from local entertainers. The festivities would not be complete without hula dancers. There will be professional dancers dressed in traditional hula skirts with flowers in their luxurious long hair. Some of the guests will try to learn the hula just for fun. The kids will be served punch made with native fruits, and the adults can choose from an assortment of fancy cocktails.

Luaus began before any Westerners came to the island. The structure was based on the societal culture of the day. They were held only as special occasions to mark a milestone or celebrate an important family event. Traditionally, guests sat on a mat made of leaves from the local hala tree. A sense of unity and family underscore the unique social event.

The number one attraction on this island is the Oahu Polynesian Cultural Center. The Center has packages that include the traditional island feast. Luaus are one of many ways for tourists to really learn something about this land that for many is heaven on earth. There are iconic sights that you will not want to miss. Take a tour to Diamond Head, visit Pearl Harbor, or reserve one of the guided tours to a volcano. Stay as long as you can because there is so much to see and do.

Doing some research about the island will make the trip and your luau more meaningful. Many did not know that originally Hawaii was a monarchy. Traditions and taboos were an integral part of the culture. When the Christian missionaries came in the 1800s, they sought to make changes to the culture they did not deem Christian. To this day, the Christian influence remains.

The Hawaiian Islands joined the United States on August 21, 1959. The islands are officially a State, but they remain their own cultural experience. Certainly tourism and western business left their impression, but with any luck the fascinating culture of Oahu and the other Hawaiian islands will remain.




About the Author:



No comments: