Paradise Cove Luau

I know a luau can be extremely cheesy, but it's a great opportunity for kids to see native Hawaiians in their element, and learn some Polynesian history through sensational dance and food. So, even though the luau at Paradise Cove was extremely expensive, we'd highly recommend it. If nothing else, the sunset location and the elaborate costumes make the entire event worth it.

This particular luau opened its gates 2 hours before the show so you could participate in all the activities: a Hawaiian version of horse shoes, conch shell blowing, tattoos, traditional canoe rides, dress-up in hula clothes (which I desperately wanted to do but everything was child size) and a mock hukilau with a dance lesson on stage to follow.

A luau involves a feast to be sure. Hawaiian food is pretty bland and unhealthy, but this luau had the best Hawaiian food we've ever tasted. The kids even devoured the chicken, salads and the kalua pork. We got to sample poi, too. They brought around little cups and told us to dip in two fingers and smear it on our pork, which we did. Peanut gagged first, fiercely so.

Those of you who ate paste in Kindergarten just might have what it takes to savor the slightly chilled "purple glue" staple food of Hawaii.

There's also a lot of skin exposed at a luau. Peanut asked me why the native Hawaiians were so huge and the men truly are giants. The women are, too, actually. I told her it was their diet and hang loose lifestyle, their lack of exercise. However, when the dancers got on stage they were very fit and Peanut announced, "Oh look, mom! The dancers get exercise and they look really healthy!"