(800) 814 COOL Questions? Call Us Now!

Hands-On Hawaiian Imu Cooking and Cultural Dining Experience

38 Reviews 4.95 out of 5 stars Based on 38 reviews collected by City Boat Tours and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 100% of reviewers |
Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards.
Big Island of Hawaii, USA

Loading Options

4 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Instant confirmation

Overview

Join a truly immersive Hawaiian experience unlike any other lūʻau or tour. Our guests become active participants, helping to build an imu—the traditional Hawaiian underground oven—and preparing traditional dishes as part of a hands-on journey through Hawaii's cultural heritage. This is regenerative tourism in action: we share Hawaiian values of stewardship and respect for the land, inviting you to forge a reciprocal relationship with nature. Imu Mea 'Ai is owned and operated by Men of PA'A, a nonprofit that empowers Native Hawaiian men through meaningful community work. Your participation supports local development and cultural preservation, offering a unique, authentic experience led by native Hawaiians who are committed to keeping their traditions alive for future generations.

What's Included

  • Lunch
  • Bottled water
  • Activity Guide
  • Gratuities
See 1 more

Meeting Location

Meeting point

Auina Street
Pāhoa, HI 96778, USA

Show on Google Maps

Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Learn the art and tradition of indigenous Hawaiian food preparation! An imu is an underground oven that uses materials from the Earth to slow cook food to perfection. In this hands-on experience, you’ll get to participate in building an imu from scratch, guided by native Hawaiians whose families have been cooking this way for generations. After the imu is uncovered, you’ll gather for a backyard-style feast, where you’ll savor the slow-cooked kalua pig and other island favorites. This is more than just a meal—it’s a cultural feast that will nourish both body and soul.

Sample Menu

Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 50 travelers

Frequently Asked Questions

(7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Hands-On Hawaiian Imu Cooking and Cultural Dining Experience?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (HST).This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund. Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

We're here to help.
Activity code: C-5488284P1

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.95
38 reviews

Average 4.95 out of 5 stars based on 38 traveler reviews collected by City Boat Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
36
4 stars
2
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
0

Loading Options

Similar Tours & Activities

Farm-to-Table Chef's Dinner at Kulaniapia Falls

Farm-to-Table Chef's Dinner at Kulaniapia Falls

 2 hours  Free Cancellation  Instant Confirmation
from
$249

Kona Shore Excursion: Sea Turtles, Historic Kona & Coffee

Kona Shore Excursion: Sea Turtles, Historic Kona & Coffee

 5 hours  Free Cancellation  Instant Confirmation
from
$139

Craft Chocolate Tasting and Farm Experience on the Big Island

Craft Chocolate Tasting and Farm Experience on the Big Island

 3 hours 30 minutes  Free Cancellation  Instant Confirmation
from
$135

Enjoy Sunset with a Fine Cigar in Hawi

Enjoy Sunset with a Fine Cigar in Hawi

8
 2 hours  Free Cancellation  Instant Confirmation
from
$45

Travelers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought

Kona Manta Rays Guaranteed Night Snorkel in Keauhou Harbor
Likely to Sell Out

Kona Manta Rays Guaranteed Night Snorkel in Keauhou Harbor

 1 hour  Free Cancellation  Instant Confirmation
from
$69

Hawaiian Salt Farm Tour in Kona
Likely to Sell Out

Hawaiian Salt Farm Tour in Kona

 1 hour  Free Cancellation  Instant Confirmation
from
$27

Big Island Manta Ray Night Snorkel
Likely to Sell Out

Big Island Manta Ray Night Snorkel

 2 hours 30 minutes  Free Cancellation  Instant Confirmation
from
$94

Glass-Bottom Boat Cruise from Waikoloa

Glass-Bottom Boat Cruise from Waikoloa

 30 minutes  Free Cancellation  Instant Confirmation
from
$49

What's Included

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

  • Lunch
  • Bottled water
  • Activity Guide
  • Gratuities

Additional Info

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 50 travelers

Report Product Issue

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

Free Cancellation

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

100% refund
No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (HST).
  • This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
  • This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Sorting, ranking, and search results

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

City Boat Tours wants to make your searches as relevant as possible. That's why we offer many ways to help you find the right experiences for you.

On some pages, you can select how to sort the results we display and also use filter options to see only those search results that meet your chosen preferences. You'll see explanations of what those sort options mean when you select them.

If you see a Badge of Excellence label, the award is based on average review ratings, share of bookings with a review, and number of bookings through City Boat Tours over a 12-month period.

The importance of any one factor over any other in a sort order varies, and the balance is constantly being reviewed and adjusted. We're always updating our systems and testing new ways to refine and improve your results to make them as relevant as possible to meet your needs.