Smith Family Luau

One of the things Mary wanted to do was experience a Hawai'ian Luau. I'm sure you've all heard of them, or maybe even attended one. If you don't know, it's a meal/party thrown in honor of guests. Which makes our attendance at one very appropriate!

We went to one that was recommended to us, held by the Smith family at their Smith Family Polynesian Gardens on Kauai.

I know what you're thinking.."Smith? That doesn't sound very authentic!". This was explained by Freckles Smith, who is the patriarch of the family. Apparently, his great-great grandfather came to Hawai'i from England in the 1800s and settled down with a Hawaiian girl. How he was given his legal name of "Freckles" might be an even more interesting story..or maybe not.

Before the luau they took us on a tour of their botanical garden in a little tram that slowly snaked its way through their gardens. They introduced us to many varieties of plants and trees that grow on the Garden Isle. Trailing along behind us the whole way was a flock of various fowl, anticipating that we'd toss bread crumbs or other bird treats their way.

When the ride ended, Mary and I roamed the grounds before the dinner was to begin. It was here we confirmed the rumors. They were indeed letting people have as many Mai Tais as you could drink. While they were good, I only sipped some from Mary's..and Mary only enjoyed one. Apparently there was someone from state alcohol enforcement there, as they drilled into our heads one person could only carry one alcoholic beverage at a time. (More than one? Is this luau normally like a frat party?)

Then came the imu ceremony, where the baked pig is extracted from the ground before being carved up. Following that, we all headed for the dining area and pigged out.
Our admission paid for us to see a polynesian cultural show, which we watched afterwards.