Participants attended the Welcome Reception at sunset bedecked with leis and sipping Mai Tai's at the Royal Luau -- a Hawaiian traditional feast, with music and dances of Polynesia.
About the Luau
[ Courtesy of
http://www.hawaii-luaus.com/ ]
Preparations for cooking in the``imu'' are begun early in the morning of the day of the luau. A large pit is dug in the sand. Kiawe logs are placed in the bottom of the pit and topped with river rocks. A fire is started and after a couple of hours, the hot coals and hot rocks are ready for the next step. The rocks are evened out on the bottom of the pit and moist banana stalks are placed on top followed by a bed of banana leaves to put the pig on.
The pig, sweet potatoes and laulau are placed in the imu and covered with more banana leaves and ti leaves. Usually several wet burlap bags top this to add steam and keep the heat in. A tarp of some kind is then placed over the whole affair and then the pit is covered with sand. After 6 to 8 hours of this steam-cooking, the kalua pig is ready.
Other foods which are usually found at a luau are poi, chicken long rice, lomi salmon, haupia or coconut custard, sweet potato, salad, fish, rice and lots of specialty items. (If you're wondering what these foods are, check our recipe page for descriptions.)
