Good Hawaiian party food brings people together around dishes that have long been part of family gatherings and celebrations in Hawaiʻi. From savory Laulau and Kalua Pig to Poi and Kulolo, each dish has its own place at the table.

Whether you're planning a graduation party, birthday, family reunion, or gathering with friends, a traditional Hawaiian menu offers plenty of ways to share food with your ʻohana.

At Waiāhole Poi Factory, we prepare traditional Hawaiian dishes rooted in the food and spirit of our ancestors. Our menu includes familiar favorites as well as dishes that guests visiting Hawaiʻi may be trying for the first time.

If you're putting together a celebration, here's what to serve, how the dishes work together, and what to know about ordering food for a group.

Traditional Hawaiian Party Food to Include on Your Menu

A Hawaiian party spread often brings together several dishes rather than relying on one main course. The combination of meat, taro, vegetables, rice, and traditional sides gives everyone a chance to enjoy different flavors.

Here are some of the dishes we prepare and what makes each one worth including.

Laulau: A Traditional Hawaiian Favorite

Laulau is a traditional Hawaiian dish made by wrapping meat and other ingredients in taro leaves before steaming.

Our Laulau combines pork with a touch of butterfish, wrapped and steamed in taro leaves. As it cooks, the meat becomes tender and the leaves develop a rich, earthy flavor.

Because each Laulau comes as an individual portion, it's a practical choice for gatherings where you want guests to enjoy a traditional Hawaiian entrée.

Kalua Pig: Slow-Cooked and Seasoned with Hawaiian Sea Salt

Kalua Pig is a familiar dish at Hawaiian celebrations, known for its tender texture and savory flavor.

We prepare ours by slow-cooking and smoking pork for twelve hours, then shredding it and seasoning it with Hawaiian sea salt.

Kalua Pig pairs naturally with Poi or rice. It's also a useful choice for gatherings where guests will be serving themselves from shared dishes.

Poi: A Traditional Hawaiian Staple

Poi is made from cooked kalo, or taro, that is pounded or milled and mixed with water until it reaches a smooth consistency.

Its mild, earthy taste complements flavorful dishes such as Kalua Pig and Laulau. For guests unfamiliar with Poi, we recommend trying a little alongside a savory entrée rather than eating it entirely on its own.

We also make Hand Pounded Poi using the traditional board and stone at our Waiāhole Valley location. This specialty is offered on Wednesdays and Sundays, depending on production and availability.

Our regular catering menu lists Fresh Milled Poi, while Hand Pounded Poi is a separate, limited-availability offering.

If you'd like Hand Pounded Poi for an occasion, please call us to discuss availability.

Squid Lu'au and Beef Lu'au: Rich Dishes Featuring Taro Leaves

Lu'au leaves, the leaves of the kalo plant, are an important ingredient in Hawaiian cooking.

Our Squid Lu'au features tender, thinly sliced octopus with slowly cooked taro leaves, coconut milk, and Hawaiian sea salt. The result is a rich dish with a creamy texture.

Our Beef Lu'au takes a different approach, combining braised beef chuck with taro leaves, onions, and ginger.

Both add variety to a traditional Hawaiian food spread, especially when served alongside rice or Poi.

Chicken Long Rice: A Comforting Addition

Chicken Long Rice combines chicken and rice noodles in a ginger-infused chicken broth.

Its broth-based preparation provides a different texture from richer dishes such as Laulau or Kalua Pig.

If you're serving several entrées, Chicken Long Rice is a good way to add variety without introducing another pork or beef dish.

Lomi Salmon: A Refreshing Side

Lomi Salmon is made with salt-cured salmon, diced tomatoes, onions, and green onions.

The combination offers a refreshing contrast to rich, slow-cooked meats.

We include Lomi Salmon with our restaurant plates, and it's also available through our catering menu.

Ho'io Salad: A Different Kind of Side

For another traditional-style side, our Ho'io Salad features fern shoots, onions, and tomatoes, garnished with dried shrimp and served with a sweet soy and ginger sauce.

Its vegetables and dressing provide a contrast to the warmer entrées on the table.

You can explore these dishes and other selections on our Hawaiian food menu.

Don't Forget Traditional Hawaiian Desserts

A party menu isn't complete without something sweet to share after the main meal.

Kulolo

Kulolo is a traditional Hawaiian dessert made with taro root, coconut milk, and sugar.

We steam our Kulolo for 24 hours, creating its characteristic dense, sweet texture.

For celebrations, Kulolo is available through our catering menu in individual pieces or by the pound.

Haupia

Haupia is a coconut dessert with a soft, custard-like consistency.

Its delicate coconut flavor offers a pleasant finish after a meal featuring savory Hawaiian dishes.

Our catering menu includes Haupia by the piece, making it convenient to include in a shared dessert spread.

Sweet Lady of Waiahole

If you'd like to try one of our signature desserts before planning your gathering, visit us for the Sweet Lady of Waiahole.

We serve warm, house-made Kulolo topped with Haupia-flavored ice cream.

It's a favorite way to experience how traditional Hawaiian ingredients can come together in dessert.

How to Build a Hawaiian Party Food Menu

When planning food for a celebration, start with the number of guests and the type of meal you want to serve.

A family-style gathering might call for several dishes in shared pans, while a smaller occasion may be easier to handle with individual plates.

Here are three ways to think about your menu.

1. A Simple Hawaiian Food Spread

For a smaller gathering, you can build a meal around:

• Kalua Pig as the main entrée
• Chicken Long Rice for variety
• Poi or rice
• Lomi Salmon as a side
• Haupia for dessert

This gives guests a selection of familiar Hawaiian flavors without requiring every dish on the menu.

2. A Traditional Hawaiian Celebration Spread

For a gathering where you want to offer a wider range of Hawaiian food, consider:

• Laulau
• Kalua Pig
• Squid Lu'au or Beef Lu'au
• Chicken Long Rice
• Poi and rice
• Lomi Salmon
• Kulolo and Haupia

The different preparations give guests an opportunity to enjoy several traditional dishes together.

3. A Menu for Guests New to Hawaiian Food

If some guests haven't tried traditional Hawaiian food before, consider balancing familiar textures with dishes that introduce something new.

Kalua Pig and rice can be an approachable starting point. Chicken Long Rice adds a comforting broth-based dish, while Laulau introduces the flavor of steamed taro leaves.

Including Poi lets guests experience a staple of Hawaiian cuisine alongside the other dishes.

You don't need to serve everything. Choose dishes that suit your guests and the kind of gathering you're hosting.

Ordering Hawaiian Party Food for a Group

Preparing enough food for a celebration takes planning, especially when your menu includes dishes with different cooking and serving styles.

Our Hawaiian food catering menu includes pan-size options for several traditional dishes, along with individually portioned items.

Our catering serves occasions ranging from company lunches of 10 people to family gatherings of 100 or more.

How Much Food Should You Order?

The amount you'll need depends on how many entrées and sides you're serving.

Our catering menu provides estimated serving counts for each pan size, with serving portions generally varying around 3 to 4 ounces per person.

For example, our Kalua Pig catering pans are listed at approximately:

• Small pan: 15 servings
• Medium pan: 30 servings
• Large pan: 60 servings

These estimates refer to portions of that particular dish, not necessarily a complete meal. If you're serving several entrées, think about how many dishes each guest is likely to try.

For individual items such as Laulau, decide whether everyone will receive one or whether you're including it as part of a larger selection.

You can review our catering portions and available dishes before placing your order.

How Far Ahead Should You Order?

We require at least 48 hours' notice for catering orders and one week's notice for parties of more than 40 people.

A 50% deposit is due when the order is confirmed, with the remaining payment due one week before the event. A 15% gratuity applies to catering orders.

Prices are subject to change, so please confirm the current details when ordering.

For questions about food quantities, pickup arrangements, or your event's needs, call us at (808) 239-2222 or email waiaholepoi@gmail.com.

Experience Our Hawaiian Food Before Your Celebration

If you're deciding which dishes to include, you're welcome to visit one of our two Kāneʻohe locations and explore our restaurant menu.

Our Kanaka Nui plate, also known as "The Works," includes Laulau, Kalua Pig, Chicken Long Rice, a choice of Beef Luau or Squid Luau, and a choice of rice or Poi. It also comes with Lomi Salmon and Haupia.

It's a way to try several traditional dishes in one meal.

You can also choose a Combo Plate with two entrées or a Single Plate if you'd prefer to try something specific.

We serve customers at our original Waiāhole Valley location and our Windward Mall food court location. Our Hand Pounded Poi and Pa'i'ai specialty offerings are available at the Waiāhole location on designated days, not at Windward Mall.

Learn more about our story and Hawaiian food traditions, or visit us to enjoy a meal before planning your gathering.

Bring Hawaiian Food to Your Next Gathering

Whether you're celebrating a birthday, graduation, or family reunion, sharing traditional Hawaiian food is a meaningful way to bring people together.

From Laulau and Kalua Pig to Poi and Kulolo, we prepare dishes that reflect the Hawaiian food traditions at the heart of our work.

Hānai i ka ʻai, hānai i ke aloha. To nourish with food, to nourish with love.

Explore our catering menu and contact us at (808) 239-2222 or waiaholepoi@gmail.com to discuss food for your next gathering.

Mahalo for your support!

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