Enjoy a splendid evening on the private beach of Germaine's
Luau with delicious Hawaiian food, dancing and entertainment.
A generous multi-course American Hawaiian Buffet…a
combination of traditional Island dishes and continental fare
(for the "less adventuresome")! To quench your
thirst, there is everything from fruit punch and soft drinks
to Germaine's special Mai Tai's and Blue Hawaii's!
Contact us at Pacific Accommodations and make your reservation at
Germaine's Luau!
What is a lu`au? Why were lu`au held?
The term lu`au as defined in the Elbert/Pukui
Hawaiian English Dictionary describes
1. The young taro tops, especially as baked with coconut
cream and chicken or octopus; and
2. A Hawaiian feast, named for the taro tops always served
at one; this is not an ancient name, but goes back to at least
1856, when so used by the Pacific Commercial Advertiser;
formerly a feast was referred to as a pa`ina or `aha`aina.
The pa`ina describes a small dinner party as compared
to the `aha`aina which refers to a large banquet type
gathering.
Traditional `Aha`aina
`Aha`aina - means feast; feasting - Traditionally
feasts were held for human comfort and social enjoyment or to
communicate with and seek the help of or to appease the Gods.
In its supernatural context - we are referring to Hawaii's
pre-Christian deities and rituals. The term `aha`aina
is derived from the root words `aha which means a
meeting; gathering; or assembly and `aina which refers to
eating or a meal.
In pre-missionary Hawai`i, both special religious occasions
and human milestones were observed with feasting. Food in
early Hawai`i was very often scarce and precious. What food
they had, they shared with each other and with the gods. For
feasts and even ordinary meals were important ways of
communicating with the gods and one's fellow man. During the
feast or meal, the ancestral gods were usually brought out and
they were also given their share of the meal - beyond a ritual
offering of the spiritual essence or (aka) of the food.
In old Hawai'i , the `aha`aina feast was both a
religious experience and an important part of the early ohana
(family) way of life. The food prepared for the feast was
precious to the early Hawaiian, for it provided vital source
of life's nourishment from the gods. Today, the observance of
the religious significance of the `aha`aina has all but
disappeared and a feast, as it is hosted and celebrated in
contemporary times, has become essentially, a purely social
affair. While today's menu is similar to the food that was
served at a traditional `Aha`aina, much of the
religious significance and symbolism of the foods are usually
forgotten.
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