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 Grand Hyatt Kauai Luau "Havaiki Nui" a Tihati Production
Listen
for the blowing of the conch shell and the pounding of the drums, and
you will know you are about to experience an unforgettable Hawaiian tradition
at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Luau. Join us each week (Sundays & Thursdays) for a fantastic journey
through the rich cultural history of the Hawaiian people. Discover the
stories of the land and its inhabitants throughout the centuries as the
dancers take you around the world through ancestral dances. Prepare to be enchanted by the historic yet exotic dances of Polynesia, from the islands of Tahiti, Samoa, and New Zealand, to our own Hawaii. We invite you to experience the beauty, romance and adventure of our Grand Hyatt luau in Hawaii. It is an evening that you will always remember.
We offer this luau to give visitors to the island a glimpse of Hawaiian history, culture, and tradition. You will find the feast unparalleled, with traditional Hawaiian dishes, as well as delicious cuisine from all of Hawaii’s modern-day cultures. An essential part of the luau is the entertainment. Enjoy contemporary Hawaiian music while sipping a tropical drink and sampling pupu (appetizers). Then delight in the extraordinary Polynesian revue. We hope that you will enjoy this slice of Hawaiian culture and take with you a new-found reverence for our Hawaiian host culture, as well as a pleasantly full opu (belly). |
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Aloha! E Komo Mai
The most significant celebration in Hawaii is a lu'au, held in ancient
Hawaii to honor Kings, Gods, and honored guests. The Grand Hyatt Kaua'i
welcomes both malihini (newcomers) and kama'aina (long time residents)
to join us for this exciting island tradition under Kaua'i stars.
The Imu
Hawaii luau tradition called for an underground oven called an imu when preparing food for a feast. This tradition remains essentially the same today. A hole 3 to 5 feet deep is dug and lined with sand or mats. A fire is started and smooth, dense rocks are added. When the rocks turn white with the heat, they are arranged to line the bottom of the imu. A few are placed inside the body cavity of the pig (puaa). Banana stalks are then layered along with damp mats over the rocks. The pig is then placed in the imu and covered with damp banana leaves. The mound is then covered with yet another damp mat and the whole thing sealed with several inches of sand. The steam from the rocks, mats, stalks and leaves slow cooks the meat in 9 to 11 hours. Upon unveiling, the imu yields mouthwatering morsels of cooked pork. Today, other types of meat are often cooked in an imu yielding moist, tender treats. Kalua (cooked underground) pork, turkey and chicken have become island favorites. Oftentimes today, especially during the holidays, communities will gather together and dig a large imu where everyone can cook their own personal favorites.
The Feast
The word ahaaina means "to gather for a meal". This is the basis of the modern day luau. By partaking in the feast, the people shared a certain rapport and good will with one another. It was also believed that by offering the ahaaina to the gods, the gap between the mortal and spiritual worlds would be lessened and the gods would be more amenable to man. Thus, the ahaaina was the way the Hawaiians chose to pay tribute. Island alii (royalty) hosted large, lavish Hawaiian celebrations. Families and communities came together to celebrate momentous occasions. Today, the Hawaiian tradition continues. The luau is still prepared by families in Hawaii in celebration of a child's first birthday, a wedding, graduation or any type of celebration.
 The
Dance
The art of hula arrived in Hawaii with the Polynesian voyagers that inhabited the Hawaiian Islands about 2,500 years ago. Recognized for its graceful movements, hula is an expressive, interpretive dance form telling a story with each motion. Legend tells that Hiiaka danced to please her sister, Pele, the goddess of the volcano and thus the hula was born. Arriving in the late 1700s the Christian missionaries viewed the hula as a heathen practice and it was banned.
King David Kalakaua is credited with the rebirth of this traditional art form when, in the late 19th century, he encouraged hula practitioners to resume the custom. The hula became glamorized in the 1930s and '40s and the Polynesian luau dance evolved from its sacred beginnings to the more seductive adaptation portrayed by Hollywood. The ancient form, kahiko, continued to be practiced by traditionalists. Today, hula has two distinct forms: hula kahiko, the ancient form relying on chant, drumming and other traditional instruments for accompaniment, and the hula auana, a more contemporary style choreographed to song rather than chant.
Whether it is danced to the rhythmic beat of the pahu (drum), the rich tones of the chant or the strumming of the ukulele, the beauty of the hula is at the heart of Hawaii.
Enjoy
a Royal Feast
The most significant style of celebration in Hawai`i is a luau. In the
best of Hyatt Regency Kaua`i's tradition, the conch shell and haunting
drums welcome guests to enjoy this festive occasion under the stars.
While sipping on tropical drinks and dining on traditional luau cuisine,
the exotic music of Polynesia will serenade and soothe the soul.
Settled some 2,500 years ago by Polynesian voyagers, Hawaii’s central Pacific location was prime to become a cultural melting pot. The arrival of British discoverer Capt. James Cook in 1776 on Kauai’s west shore began an influx of immigrants. Initial settlers were primarily English missionaries and businessmen. The first successful commercial sugar crop was grown in neighboring Koloa town in 1835. The growth of the sugar industry necessitated imported labor, as there were not enough Hawaiian workers to fill the need. Immigrant workers were brought in from Portugal, Spain, Japan, China and the Philippines over the next 100+ years. Plantation life centered around the ‘ohana, or extended family, in this case encompassing all the Plantation workers. Each culture enriched the Plantation lifestyle bringing their own cuisines and cooking styles. This blending of cultural traditions led to modern Hawaii’s “local style” food, which includes traces of each contributing culture’s favorites.
Our feast offers the best of traditional Hawaiian and modern Hawaii fare. You will enjoy traditional Hawaiian dishes such as Kalua Pork - tender pork cooked in an underground imu or oven, haupia – a coconut pudding, roasted Hawaiian sweet potato, and poi - a staple food made from the mashed root of the taro plant mixed with water and fermented for about up to 3 days, frequently called "Hawaiian Yogurt". You will also find other delicious dishes with an Asian Pacific flare like sesame seared Mahimahi, steamed coconut lemongrass rice, and grilled teriyaki steaks, along with an array of fresh fruits and vegetable dishes, and a mouth-watering array of desserts.
Check-in begins at 5:15pm, followed by a lei greeting, Hawaiian music and photo opportunities, Hawaiian arts and crafts, plus beer, wine, and tropical alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Advance reservations
are necessary.
No reservation will be guaranteed without a confirmation
number.
2010 Rates
Adult: $94
Junior: $84 (13-20)
Child: $56.99 (6-12)
*Prices do not include tax
(Discounting is not permitted for this Luau)
Luau Reservations Reserve Now! Toll Free 1-877-256-4248
Annette 1-213-785-8884 or Caroline 213-784-0240
Hours of Operation:Sunday and Thursday 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Advance reservations are recommended.
Rates Subject to Change Without Notice. - No-Shows will be charged the full retail price.
Grand Hyatt Kauai Luau Directions:
From Lihue Airport (approximately 15 miles):
Drive West, staying on Ahukini Road past the first stop light. Turn left at the next stop light (across from Kentucky Fried Chicken) onto Hwy 56. Stay to the right and continue on to Highway 50. Drive past Kukui Grove Shopping center on your left and proceed for 6.7 miles. Turn left at the Maluhia Junction (Tunnel of Trees) where the sign indicates a left-hand turn to Poipu and Koloa onto Hwy 520. Drive approximately 2 miles and turn left at Ala Kinoiki Road. Drive approximately 4 miles then turn left on Poipu Road. The resort is located at the end of Poipu Road (3 blocks) on the right. Guest check-in is the second drive on the right.
From North Shore:
Turn left at the Maluhia Junction (Tunnel of Trees) where the sign indicates a left-hand turn to Poipu and Koloa onto Hwy 520. Drive approximately 2 miles and turn left at Ala Kinoiki Road. Drive approximately 4 miles then turn left on Poipu Road. The resort is located at the end of the Poipu Road (3 blocks) on the right. Guest check-in is the second drive on the right.
From West Side:
Drive on Highway 50 towards Lihue. Turn right at Maluhia Junction. Drive approximately 2 miles and turn left at Ala Kinoiki Road. Drive approximately 4 miles then turn left on Poipu Road. The resort is located at the end of Poipu Road (3 blocks) on the right. Guest check-in is the second drive on the right.
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