How to Attend A Hawaiian Lu'au

The Family Meeting

            If you are family, or a close friend, the Hawaiian Lu’au begins about 6 months in advance.  Families “save a date” in the schedule of community events.  The hosts of the Lu'au call a family meeting.  The family meeting consists of sisters, brothers, aunties, uncles, cousins, 2nd cousins, friends…all the ‘ohana.  The hosts list their menu and family members volunteer items that they can provide. 

            “I can buy 2 bag rice.”

            “Put me down for 20 pound tomatoes.” 

            “I can chip in 2 box chicken.” 

            “I can get paper products.” 

            “I have a pig.”

            Family meetings are potluck.  If you’re not into cooking you could get a dessert from the supermarket, or a case of water, juice, or soda to put in the cooler. 

Lima Hana

            You may have heard that a traditional Hawaiian Lu’au lasts three days.  In a sense, that is true. The first day is preparation and set-up.  The second day is the celebration, the party.  The third day is breakdown, putting things away, reflecting on the past and planning for the future.

            Lima Hana, or helping hands is an important concept in Hawaiian culture.  Helping others, and showing appreciation for work that others have done, will earn you respect in the islands.  Actively participating in Lima Hana will “win friends and influence people”.  When you are invited you might ask: “When is Lima Hana?” or “Is there a work crew?  I can help.”

            If you are new to Lu’au prep, an easy way is to help cutting vegetables and meats.  Much cutting, chopping, and slicing needs to be done.  With many hands working together, everything gets done quickly.  If 10 people are cutting 50 pounds of onions, it averages 5 pounds per person.  If 10 people are cutting 100 pounds of pork... 

            Everyone sits at the worktable making jokes, talking story, bonding.  If one of the family members asks you to bring a bowl from the sink, or carry a cooler to the truck, it means you are being accepted.  If you really want to fit in, observe what others are doing and follow the lead.   Sure it’s fine to ask questions, but in Hawaiian culture one is expected to be observant.  If six people suddenly start peeling carrots, should you sit there and watch or should you grab a peeler?

            When most of the work has been finished, the hosts will serve lunch or dinner to the Lima Hana workers.  Uku Pau is Hawaiian custom where everybody works together until the job is finished when they can all take a break and relax.

Lu’au ~ It’s time to party!!!

      When you arrive at the party, bring a money envelope.  A Lu’au is a fundraiser for the next chapter in a loved one’s life.   Typically, lu’au occur at 1^st birthday, 18^th birthday, graduation, marriage, and funeral.   Lu’au are held for club events, which can be fundraisers,  as well as cultural and political events where no envelope is needed. You can bring a gift for birthdays and marriages.

            Bring any alcoholic beverages you intend to drink.  Hosts will provide water, juice, and in most cases soda.   While beer, wine, spirits are often shared at a Lu’au, they are brought to the party by the people who will use them.

       When the food line opens, let the children and elders go first.   Men in the family wait until guests have gone through the service line, so once the children have plates of food no shame…It’s time to grind!  Kalua Pork, Teriyaki Beef, Lau Lau, Lomi, and Poi.  There will be a lot to choose from.  Take a little of each.  In Hawaii the rule is: Eat all you want, but don’t take more than you can eat.  Someone worked hard to put good food on your plate.  It would be rude to waste it.

            A Lu’au is a time to mingle, talk story, catch up with old friends, get to know new ones.  If you are new in town and don’t know many people, ask questions.  “What is your favorite part of Hawaii?  Do you have relatives here?  How have things changed?”  Hawaiians are good storytellers, so soak in the tales of the olden days.  You certainly should share information about yourself, but keep it relevant.  Hawaiians are humble and a list of your accomplishments could be seen as showboating.  During the party you might play cards, dice, mahjong.  You may see hula dances, ukulele jams, and comedy acts.  Enjoy the night.  Celebrate.

Breakdown

     The day after the Lu'au women pack up chaffing dishes and serving pans,  aunties package leftover food into family size ziploc bags and cousins distribute them among the workers.  Older children take down floral decorations to be returned to the forest or placed at a loved one’s grave.  If you’re a friend of the family you might be invited to "stop by tomorrow" and eat again.  play a lazy last few last games of cards with the cousins, listen to one more uncle's story,  and laugh with the aunties as they capture last night’s memories.  Memories for them that will last a lifetime.