Home > Purpose > The
Hukilau
Hukilau n.
(hu•ki•la•oo) - “huki” in Hawaiian means “to
pull” and “lau” means “leaf”. Literally,
to “pull the leaf”.
In
the old days the village fishermen would watch for large schools of
fish swimming fairly close to shore. They would then take their fishing
nets, trimmed with pandanas leaves as floats, in little row boats out
to sea. When they were about 200 yards away from the shore they would
drop the nets encircling the school of fish. The villagers would then
come down to the beach to help pull the fish filled nets to shore.
All those who had helped to pull the heavy nets in, were rewarded with
a portion of the catch. The amount received depended on the age and
the ability of the helper. The little children would be given a few
fish and the older people would be given more. It all depended on the
size of the catch, the important thing is that all were able to share
what was taken from the net.
It was this
Saturday activity that brought together thousands of people from different
parts of the world to work, play, and eat “Hawaiian Style”.
It was a time and place that enjoyed a much simpler way of life, a
people filled with something that can only be described in one word
- aloha.
In ancient
Hawaiian history, the village of Laie played the role of being a place
of refuge. People who had broken the king’s law or had become
outcasts from their own villages were able to find sanctuary in Laie.
Later, in 1865, the LDS church purchased the land. After that, members
of the church from the South Pacific began to move into Laie, hence
it became a “gathering place” for all the Saints of the
Pacific.
| It
was this “gathering place” that became the birthplace
for the Laie Hukilau. 1945 saw the end of World War II. With
the end came the return of the simple island life. A desire to
build a new chapel, after the old one had burned down, became
a new community project. After a few unsuccessful attempts at
fundraising, the decision was made in 1947 to pull together the
hukilau. |
|
Many different
talents were to be found among this small group of people. Viola Kawahigashi
handled the business and public relations, Hamana Kalili and Robert
Kahawaii were two of the fishermen that took care of the laying of
the net, the relief society took care of food, gifts and hand crafted
items, and many others, including Christina Nauahi, took care of costumes.
The entertainment portion of the luau was opened to all who wanted
to participate.
By
1956 the chapel had become a reality and the saints had completed
their original goal and purpose for the hukilaus. However, it continued
on until 1971 when finally it had served its fundraising purpose.The
announcement to end the hukilaus was received with mixed emotions.
The preparation and the excitement would be missed, but at the same
time most agreed that it was time for the hukilau days to come to
an end.
majority
of research and text by Paulina Siufanua
| The
original menu for the Hukilau |
|
|
lau
lau
|
 |
a
Hawiian dish made with taro leaves and pork |
lomi
salmon
|
a
Hawaiian dish made with tomato’s, onions and salmon |
poi
|
taro
root pounded into a paste |
inomona
|
a
relish made from the kukui nut |
fresh
island fish
|
including
mahi mahi and ahiincluding mahi mahi and ahi |
breadfruit & sweet
potatoes
|
|
haupia & coconut
|
coconut
pudding and fresh ice cold coconut |
pineapple
punch
|
a
cool and refreshing tropical drink |
starches
|
roasted
in the underground oven - imu |
Items later
added to the menu
teriyaki
chicken
|
|
spiced
chicken with soy sauce and Hawaiian cane sugar |
chicken
long rice
|
rice
noodles with chicken and green onions |
kalua
pork
|
from
the imu underground oven |
poke
|
marinated
raw fish |
island
rice
|
|
tossed
green salad
|
|
|
cold
fruits
|
field
ripened pineapple, bananas and papayas |
pineapple
upside-down cake
|
|
Composed
by Jack Owens, this song pays tribute to our town Laie and Laie Bay,
home of the now famous Hukilau Beach. The song was originally composed
in 1948 when Jack, after helping to pull in (huki) a net of fish at
Hukilau Beach, was feeling the aches and pains of the days hard work.
During that time, it was one of the most popular visitor attractions.
To actually pull in the hukilau nets, feast on the lau lau and
watch as the ama ama went swimming by was truely a Hawaiian
activity. Unfortunately, it is an activity that is rarely seen today.
The Hukilau Song was first played
by Jack at a Methodist luau in Honolulu, and within a couple of days became
the talk of the town. Alfred Apaka and later Bing Crosby helped to popularize
the song throughout the country.
Oh,
we’re goin’ to the hukilau,
A huki, a huki, a hukilau.
Everybody loves a hukilau,
Where the laulau is the kaukau at the big luau.
We throw our nets out into the sea,
And all the ama ama come a swimmin’ to me.
Oh, we’re goin’ to a hukilau,
A huki, huki, huki, huki, hukilau.
What a wonderful day for fishin’
The old Hawaiian way,
All the hukilau nets go swishin’
Down at old Laie Bay. |
Visitors
and guests will be treated to three hours of Polynesian activites
beginning at 10:30 am. and highlighted by a hukilau and lots
of kau kau (food) at the luau from 11:30 to noon.
Hawaiian
family activities begin the day of fishing, feasting and
fun. Learn how to weave a coconut hat, make a lei, and see
how the old Hawaiians made their quilts and medicines. Then
watch the natives pound poi from taro and prepare an imu (underground
oven) for an afternoon luau.
Travel
to the South Pacific island of Samoa and sample some of their
native delicacies. Samoans living in Laie will demonstrate
fire making, coconut husking, basket weaving, and other native
skills. Witness the traditional kava ceremony in which kava,
a snippy ceremonial Polynesian drink is made from crushed kava
root and served to the Samoan “talking chiefs”.
|
One
of many editions of the Waikiki Beach Press that featured
the Laie Hukilau Beach Luau |
The imu will
be opened at 11:00 am. You will see the steaming kalua pig
which has been wrapped in banana leaves and roasted underground since
early morning. Breadfruit, sweet potatoes and other delicacies roasted
in the imu will also be uncovered. Visitors can get down to
the water’s edge and help islanders “huki” (pull)
