Hawaiian Luau Lesson

In order to appreciate a Hawaiian luau, it helps to know a little bit about the

geography, History, and

CULTURE, of the Hawaiian islands.

Geography of Hawaii

Hawaii is surrounded on all sides by the Pacific Ocean.

Can you find Hawaii on the map?

Hawaii is the world's longest island chain.

Volcanoes

• Hawaii is actually a chain of 132 islands, each of which is the top of a submerged volcanic mountain.

• Mauna Loa pours out lava on the average of once every four years,

• Lava flows from Kilauea about once every seven years.

See if you can locate the two active volcanoes, Mauna Loa and Kilauea, on the island of Hawaii?

In some places, large rocks of lava protrude from the water along the

shore. Some beaches are covered with black

sand, formed when

molten lava met the ocean.

Did you know that rocks could explode?

• Lava rocks are used to roast pigs for luaus.

• Regular rocks can not tolerate the high temperatures required.

• They can explode, ruining the luau for everyone.

How to Roast a Pig – Hawaiian Style

The ancient Hawaiians did not have ovens, so they cooked in a hole in the ground called an imu.

They still use this method when preparing a pig for a traditional luau.

They kill a pig, wrap it in wire so they can lift it, cover it with banana leaves, place hot lava rocks in the fire, and bury the pig.

This takes many hours and is very strenuous work.

I don't recommend cooking this way.

Here’s a little jingle to help you remember the steps for roasting a pig.

Dig a hole that’s three feet wide.Place the lava rocks inside.Add some wood to make a fire. Wrap the pig in chicken wire.Put banana leaves on top the heap.Say goodnight and go to sleep.Let it cook the whole night longThen feast with music, dance, and

song.

Now you can see how the geography of Hawaii was important in the development of the island festival called a luau.

History of Hawaii

Hawaii’s Earliest Settlers Roughly 1,500 years ago, Polynesians from the

Marquesas Islands first set foot on the Hawaiian Islands. With only the stars to guide them, they miraculously sailed over 2000 miles in canoes to migrate to the Islands.

Tahitian Influence on Hawaii

Five hundred years after the Polynesians landed in Hawaii, settlers

from Tahiti arrived, bringing with them the art of the hula and the sport of surfing.

European Influence on Hawaii

In 1778, a British explorer named Captain James Cook, landed in Hawaii. He gave the place the

name of "Sandwich Islands" in honor of the Earl of Sandwich.

The Royal Kingdom of Hawaii

In 1810, the great warrior, Kamehameha, united the people of Hawaii Island into one royal kingdom. He is still

considered to be Hawaii’s greatest king, and his statue is often decorated with flower necklaces called lei’s. Leis are the traditional necklace of the Hawaiian luau.

King Kamehameha II

In 1819 King Kamehameha II gave permission for men and women to eat together, a practice that had been forbidden before this time. To celebrate this event he established a feast called a Luau.

More Facts About Hawaii’s History

• In 1898, Hawaii became a territory of the United States.

• During World War II, the Japanese launched a surprise attack on Hawaii at a place called Pearl Harbor.

• In 1959, Hawaii became the 50th State of the United States.

Hawaii is the only state that is not part of the North American continent.

Interesting Fact

Hawaii is 7078.98

miles away from

the mainland.

Look closely at the

map and see how

tiny it is in relation

to the rest of the

United States.

Honolulu is the state capital and the largest city.

As you can see, the History

of Hawaii played a vital role in the development of the Luau.

Culture of Hawaii

The Hula Dance

It is believed that the ancienthula originates from either one oftwo legends. The first legend says that Laka, the dance goddess, gave birth to the hula on Molokai. The other legend tells of the fire goddess Pele, whose sister Hi‘iaka created the hula to please her sister.

The Pineapple

Lana’I is pineapple growing country, with 98% of the land owned by the makers of Dole pineapple products. The pineapple is

traditionally used as a symbol for the word “Welcome.”

Flower Necklaces called Leis

The most famous symbol of the Hawaiian culture is the lei or flower necklace. One of the Hawaii'an flowers, the hibiscus, can also be used to carry a message. If a young woman wears a hibiscus flower on her left ear, she is in a married. But if she wears it over her right ear, she is single.

Hawaiian Music

The music of Hawaii began with simple drumbeats and chants.

The ukelele was introduced by the Portugese and the name roughly translates as "jumping flea“ because of the movement of the player’s fingers. King Kalakaua, a patron of the arts, incorporated it into performances at royal gatherings and it became a standard feature of many luaus.

Now that you know some things about

the geography, History, and CULTURE of the Hawaiian islands, you’ll be given a

chance to plan a luau of your own.

To continue on to the Hawaiian Luau activity, return to the home page, click on the LuauWebquest tab, and begin creating your very own Hawaiian luau.