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Hawaiian Vacation for Two!
How to Do a Lu'au at Home
By Claire Morris-Dobie Published: 08/03/2007
Kalua Pig in the Oven
No lu`au is complete without kalua pig. The authentic way to cook it is in an imu (underground oven) but you can use a boneless or bone-in pork butt with enough fat to hold the moisture. There are several recipes available on the Internet or in the Taro Mama cookbook.
Conch Shell
The conch shell is like a trumpet, used to call your lu`au guests to the feast or to announce the arrival of certain people. Check the internet listings offered at the end of this article. The sound can carry a good two miles. Great for calling the kids in for lunch too.
Hawaiian Music
You will look really cool if you can get or make a Hawaiian drum (called a pahu) but to simplify things, just visit the Hawaiian section of your local music store and find a few Hawaiian CDs. Great for ambiance and the entertainment portion of the lu`au.
Tiki Torches
Try Cost Plus, Home Depot, or Bed, Bath and Beyond. Tiki torches are made out of bamboo or wicker and they cost about $5 a piece. Good for lighting the way to the lu`au and the lua.
Lauhala Mats
For an authentic lu`au, eliminate the traditional tables and chairs, and roll out a few lauhala mats on the ground instead. Also available on the Internet.
Grass skirts, Leis, and Coconut Bras
Grass skirts and paper leis can be ordered on the Internet. The skirts are made of cellophane but theyre good enough for a one-night lu`au stand. The coconut bra can transform the plain into the divine. The Internet offers authentic coconut bras (made out of coconut shells) and simulated versions that hold up longer and more convincingly.
Hula Dancers
Outside of Hawaii and Las Vegas, good hula dancers are hard to find. Instead, pick up the Merrie Monarch Festival videotape thats released every year (available on line at Borders and Amazon) and run the tape for the duration of the party. You get more than 16 hours of authentic entertainment and its a guaranteed crowd pleaser.
Recipes
Most recipes for a Luau are available on the Internet, or you may order the Taro Mama Lu`au Handbook by contacting Craig Murdah at: 808-647-0702, PO Box 334 Lawai, HI 96765, E-mail Murdahc001@hawaii.rr.com The book contains more than 50 recipes. If you actually want to cook a whole pig in an imu, visit www.tvjuice.com and youll find some basic information on a videotape called How To Lu`au Polynesian Style. The video and accompanying booklet complete with recipes produced by Tony and Susan LeHoven, gives you step-by-step instructions on how to build a real imu. Its available for $30 plus shipping and will give you the authentic ways and means of handling a true lu`au.
Decorations & Accessories
Its the food that really makes the lu`aunot the fancy stirrers that your guests are going to toss along with the plastic cups, but if youre one of those people who just must have everything so-so, choose one or two items that fit your budget. GOOGLE Hawaiian Lu`au Accessories or refer to the following Internet sites.
LuauKing.com
hulasource.com for coconut bras, cellophane skirts
orientaltrading.com
islandmadness.com
luaucostumes.com for shell bras, grass skirts, aloha shirts
upcountryharvest.com for fresh flowers & leis
Enjoy! And eat until you can take no more. That's the Lu'au motto
Locations
Kauai
Photo Gallery - How to Do a Lu'au at Home
Click here for Slideshow. You can also click on any of the photos to start slideshow.
