The Feast at Lele
Published On: Oct 26, 2006

The Feast at Lele is an event fit for royalty and is so named. Lele is the ancient name for Lahaina, where once royalty dined and entertained. When you attend the Feast at Lele, you will know the feeling of being a part of the royal house. The feast will also give you a feeling of intimacy as well since each table is isolated and enjoys a panoramic view of the Maui sunset

The Feast traces the travels of Polynesia, from Hawaii to Tonga to Tahiti and on to Samoa. As the feast progresses you will see and taste a bit of each area. The food is authentic to the region and the dancing of the dancers is traceable to the each respective region as well.

The first stop on the tour of Polynesia is the island of Hawaii. With an astounding amount of courage, the early Polynesian travelers arrived on the island of Hawaii using only the stars and ocean currents to guide them. They brought with them things like the green bananas, sweet potatoes and purple taro. These are served as your starter in the feast with various dipping sauces. As you enjoy these delectable treats, enjoy the historic dances of Hawaii.

The Hawaiian course includes pork slow roasted in an underground oven and shredded. It is accompanied by hearts of palm salad, and threadfin fish as well as poi.

The hula is said to be the setting of poetry to music. The music and the dignified hula dancers' movement seem to flow together as one. The instrument of music making seems to mean nothing unless the dancers meld with each one, whether with the pounding rhythms of the kahko, or the sounds of auana melodies.

The next stop on your tour is Tonga. Tonga is the last of the Polynesian nations to retain a monarchy. The Tongan dance celebrates its people and their dreams. The dancers sing a full chorus and are joyful in their dancing. For this dance, the participants wear shells that jangle around their angles, and they will clap their hands throughout the dance.

For this course, you will also enjoy such wonderful delights as seasonal squash, grilled strip steak and a lobster and seaweed salad. Grilled to perfection, the steak will literally melt in your mouth, and the lobster is so delicate that you will thirst for more.

Next, you will arrive at the land of romance. Tahiti is known as the land of intrigue. It is also considered by most to be the image of Polynesia. Sit back and enjoy the blending of swaying hips and pulsing drum beats. Over-sized headdresses combine grasses and shells and provide balance to the varied movements of the hands and hips of the dancers.

As the dancers continue their movements, you will be served the succulent delights of the land of romance. The land of Tahiti will provide you with steamed chicken and taro leaf in a delicate coconut milk sauce, marinated fish, and scallops served on the shell.

Not to be out done is our final stop on the tour, Samoa. Samoa is referred to as the cradle of Polynesia. Samoa is the sacred center of the fiery soul of its inhabitants, who still prefer to reside in grass roofed homes. Its dancers will reveal the openness of the souls of its people.

The Samoans bring us the final course of our meal. The Palusami, or breadfruit combined with coconut cream and young taro leaf. The Palusami is accompanied by grilled fish and shimp with avacado. Not to be out done, the preceding course is finished off with a dessert that offers the diner a choice between banana coconut pudding, tropical fruit slices, or the heritage of Hawaiian Truffles. All of this is designed and served with the lone thought of making the attendees know they have been to the royal luau, and that they have enjoyed their evening as members of the royal house.

Feast at Lele
505 Front Street
Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii

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