Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1899-08-04
AN HAWAIIAN FEAST.
West BrattIeboro Pastor Writes OF His
Experience at n Luau on the Island OF
Maui.


Maui
Honolulu, July 20, 1899.
The Phnnir:--Last wee we were on the island
of Maui and while there were treated with the
hospitality Of the noted native feast, called
Tuau pronounced loo ow) The first indication of
what was coming was the appearance OF stall
wart Hawaiian, riding upon diminutive donkey.
The man was dressed in striped shirt, blue
denim short pants, red sash, leathern legglnS,
frinped I'D and down, and broad brimmed hat
of native make. He proceeded at once TO ousl
ness First he dug an lmu or pit about three
feet long 10 inches wide and 10 deep AT the
hottom he made a fire Of dug wood and upon this
put heavy layer of broken lava rock. Whle
these stones were heating lie dressed ana cut up
two chickens Each chicken was then wrapped
carefully and deity in banana and II pronounced
tee) leaves so as to be practically irt PROOF and
steam tight Then he killed ana dressed aG e'g s
Dit were very hot. Dipping their hands into cold
water he and an assistant picked up some OF the
smaller hot stones and quickly filled the pig TO do
a part of the cooking from within. The remain
der of the stones were formed into sort OF oed,
broad banana and the fine grain u leaves were
spread over them, aud the pig WIN leet ueu w.
gether was placed on top. ~ A.. .,.,.,-..
Around the sides sweet potatoes, the chlckehs
and bundles of taro leaves for greens were rang
ed THE whole mass of food was then covered
with banana and ii leaves and 10 or II thicknesses
of gunny baggng Dirt was carefully spread
on top and the cooking process was allowed 10
90 on for nearly 216 hours.
Meantime cold dishes were prepared. At the
proper time the call was passed along that the
pit ready for opening WIN extre aI ca. care
the covering s we're removed so as to avoid letting
dirt get upon the meat and vegetables ana the
different articles were taken out clean ana tnor-
oughly cooked. The feast was spread upon the
broad yeranda of the house. A heavy layer OF
fern leaves served for the table cloth.
The sides of the vsrandah were decorated win
several kinds of green leaves and noweIlng
plants When the feast was ready the orders
were that every lady should appear IN holaku,
a very loose alive garment and every man
in his shirt sleeves, and he must eat Win MS nm
gers. n 49,, 49,.
plates of a mixture of raw salmon, onions ana TO-
metoes. Near by were plates OF little onions green
peppers and kukui nuts baked and pounded fine
and said for relish. Then came larger lndlvld.
ual plates of chicken, pig, sweet potatoes and
taro leaves, the latter tasting somewhat IKE Dan,
delion greens. For a sweet DISH cooked sweet
potatoes and grated cocoanut were mashed 10.
eether. Finally bowls of poi native dish OF
pounded and fermented taro, were placed Ior
each person. Every article was so nicely prepar'
ed that we were inclined to sample ell, even
though some of us did not get far with the raw
fish, onions and poi. ,,... -. l.,
the states, bread and butter and coffee were
brought in at the end. The meats and the SWEEP
potatoes were delicious and there was an aouh
dance of good cheer. After we were through tnt
Hawaiian man and two boys the PortuRuese mao
and the Chinaman cook sat down on the floor ano
showed the delicate ones how 10 eau IN gooo
earnest. e..
The day was pleasant, the on look far away wa'
inspiring and the readiness OF every one TO enter
into the spirit OF the occasion mace IL harnioni
There were about 20 of us in all, ranging from
five months baby to an old man or %. None
of us seemed to feel any worse Tor tine Ieasl ant
we passed vote of thanks to the good frienC
who projected the affair. 1t was one OF the mum
erous efforts made to contribute to our happiness
while we are here.
00Fo j. T. BABBITr.