The Best Luau in Hawaii Isn’t a Luau After All

Luaus are a staple of Hawaiian vacations. Many hotels and resorts, on most parts of the major islands, either have on-site luaus or provide shuttle service to them. Several boast of having the best luau in Hawaii. And, frankly, many luaus are interchangeable. Sure, one has more fire-twirling than another, say, but the buffet dinners (always with poi, another staple of a Hawaiian vacation) and shows can seem pretty much the same.

And then there’s The Gathering of Kings, on the Big Island of Hawaii. Part mystical creation-story and history lesson, part Cirque de Soleil, The Gathering of Kings is to a luau the way toro sushi is to a tuna melt. I’ve been to a few luaus in my time, and believe me; this is more a theatrical dance performance, and truly the one to see. The show is based at the Fairmont Orchid, a top luxury resort on the Kohala Coast, and tourists come from all over the island to see it. The Gathering of Kings tells a story through song and dance – the story of Polynesian travels and how they settled on islands such as Tahiti and (of course) Hawaii. Each island’s traditional dances are performed, and it’s really a magical – and enlightening – experience to watch the joyous, flirtatious Samoan dances and the warrior-like dances of the Maori. The Polynesian cultures adapted to each Pacific island. Each island, in turn, was irrevocably influenced by the Polynesian culture.

The dancers perform skillfully with, alternately, wonderful grace and strength. I found the leads to be incredibly charismatic throughout, and I’m so happy I was fortunate enough to see The Gathering of Kings on the Big Island of Hawaii. At the end of the performance, the four kings representing the settled islands stand together on stage, and this show of unity is more than a little moving.

It’s no surprise that the soundtrack from this best (non) luau in Hawaii won a Hawaii Music Award (like a Hawaiian Grammy). The music perfectly captured the magic of the creation story and mystic Polynesian travels, with each island’s music integrated into the flow. Listening to the music now, as I am, not only brings back memories of an enriching evening. It also stirs thoughts of how everyone is descended from travelers and settlers – and that the unity represented at the end of The Gathering of Kings is a concept we can all learn from.

Top 10 Fun Food and Wine Pairings

Oh man, are the Traveling Mamas big fans of wine writer Natalie Maclean. She’s a funny and informative writer, a four-time winner of the James Beard Journalism Awards, and she also was named the World’s Best Drink Writer at the World Food Media Awards (that’s just about the best name for an award). Natalie Maclean writes hilariously and self-effacingly in her book, Red, White, and Drunk All Over. This is a kind-of travel, kind-of drinking memoir, and I love it. Even better, she kindly answered some of our questions, and – my favorite – has put serious consideration into wine matching with the lowbrow foods typically found in rushed weekday family dinners. What, am I the only one? Don’t tell me the rest of you prepare steak and endive salad every Wednesday night (or as we call it, mac-n-cheese night).

Natalie MacLean’s Top 10 Fun Food and Wine Pairings

1. Popcorn with Chilean Chardonnay
2. Nachos with California Zinfandel
3. Potato Chips with French Champagne
4. Pizza with Italian Chianti
5. Fish and chips with German Riesling
6. Hamburgers with Australian Shiraz
7. Smoked salmon with Canadian or Oregon Pinot Noir
8. Quiche with New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc
9. Canned brown beans with tawny Port
10. TV dinner steak with French or Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

The last chapter of Red, White, and Drunk All Over, called Wine Meets its Toughest Matches, includes more than just the Top 10 fun food and wine pairings. Does a nice Merlot or Pinot Noir go with red Jello? You’ll have to read the book to find out. (Also see the pairing feature online.) In the meantime, it’s time to crack open a can of pork and beans for dinner. At least now I know to pair it with Port!