If you’re looking for a Hawaiian cultural experience with roots to the islands’ past, consider participating in a luau, which is similar to a makahiki feast. Here’s what you need to know about this Hawaiian celebration and how you can experience a piece of it today.

Understanding Makahiki

What Is It?

Makahiki is an ancient festival that celebrates the Hawaiian New Year and honors Lono, the god of peace, fertility, and agriculture. Religious ceremonies were led by high chiefs and marked the beginning and end of the festival, and the event lasted for approximately four months. Native Hawaiians offered their best crops, feathers, and animals to pay homage to the god. Once everyone’s tribute was gathered, grand feasts were prepared, and the people participated in competitive sporting events and danced hula. Dancing was especially important as the goddess of hula, Laka, was Lono’s wife.

Why Is It Important?

Makahiki marked a season of rest for the people and the land. Warring and farming were kapu, or forbidden, during the festival season. Community bonds were strengthened through physical games and challenges. Challenges for the mind also occurred during this season through pageants and oral recitations of history. During this season, people also expressed gratitude and prayed for future prosperity.

How Is It Celebrated Today?

While the four-month festival isn’t practiced in its entirety, you can enjoy a luau to get a feel for a sense of the Hawaiian community and the elaborate feasts that were prepared. Luaus usually serve traditional Hawaiian food, like lau lau, kālua pua’a, and haupia. Additionally, these Hawaiian cultural experiences will typically include a hula performance, allowing guests to participate in the celebration by calling them up to dance.

If you want to attend a luau like the ones from makahiki, visit Experience Nutridge in Honolulu, HI. Located on a macadamia nut plantation, this beautiful estate allows guests to participate in Hawaiian cultural experiences, like cooking in an imu and dancing hula. View their menu online, or call (808) 531-5050 to book a private luau.