To Luau or Not Luau…That is the Question?!?

Luau or Not to Luau…That is the Question?!?

Aloha from Hawaii!  Here at Always Aloha Travel the answer is always YES, YES, YES!!  Yes to the Luau for so many reasons, but remember that all Luau are not created the same!  Don’t get me wrong, the luau experience is pretty similar wherever you go.  Just make sure you know what you want!

For example, on the island of Maui the most Authentic Hawaiian Luau is the Old Lahaina Luau.  These talented men and women know how to put on a show by telling a story through dance and chants.  However, the Old Lahaina Luau does NOT have fire knife dancing!  So, if you want a luau that offers fire knife dancing as part of the show, then you’ll have to go to another venue.  Fire knife dancing is mesmerizing to watch and is a staple for most luau celebrations, but it is not traditionally Hawaiian.  Fire knife dancing is actually Samoan…did you know that?  That leads me to, in my opinion, the best luau in Hawaii…the Feast at Lele.  

The Feast at Lele is outstanding for many reasons.  First of which is the luau grounds are beachfront and right on the ocean which makes for an amazing backdrop.  At the Feast at Lele you’re not seated at a table with other people.  If there’s five people in your party then you are seated at a private table for five people.  One of the biggest advantage is that the Feast at Lele is more intimate because their capacity is far less than the normal luau.  Another advantage is that there is no buffet, you are served tableside.  The Luau consists of a sampling of four courses from Hawaii, New Zealand, Tahiti and Samoa and is followed by entertainment that is customary to each region.  And who can forget dessert?  The Feast at Lele gives you five courses of culinary delights!  So if you’re on Maui, you have two great choices for a Luau and you can’t go wrong with either, just know if you want FIRE or NO FIRE!

Let’s fly over to the outer islands and give some shout outs to the amazing folks that work tirelessly to provide a memorable Hawaiian experience to the visitors.  Oahu has the most variety of Luau to choose from.  The most popular luau is located at the Polynesian Cultural Center.  They first opened to the public on October 12, 1963 and are still providing great entertainment and delicious food to visitors!  Polynesian Cultural Center is about an hour drive from Waikiki to the north shore of the island.  Keep in mind that traffic can be busier at that time of the day so prepare accordingly.   Other Luau on Oahu worth mentioning are Germaine’s Luau, Paradise Cove Luau and the Royal Hawaiian’s Aha’aina Luau.  

Saying Aloha to Oahu and let’s head over to Kauai!  Kauai has fewer options than Oahu but you can still get a great Luau experience on this island.  Our recommendation on Kauai is the Sheraton Auli’i Luau.  The Auli’i Luau is the only venue that is located beachfront.  It’s not unheard of for a luau to take place somewhere other than near the ocean and Kauai proves that point beautifully!  The Grand Hyatt Kauai, Tahiti Nui Luau and Smith’s Tropical Paradise Luau are all great options when it comes to capturing the essence of Hawaii!

Last stop of the luau tour around the islands is Hawaii Island or The Big Island.  Like the other islands we discussed, the Big Island has its share of luau experiences.  The Royal Kona, Waikoloa Beach Marriott and Island Breeze Luau all make the cut!  If you’re up for something a little off the beaten path that still offers a  Hawaiian experience, look not further!  The Paniolo Sunset BBQ is a neat alternative to consider.  Paniolo means Cowboy in Hawaiian and this experience is all about country!  The evening is full of country music, line dancing, roping and wood carving just to name a few!  Let’s not forget about the BBQ feast that is finished off with some fireside s’mores under the beautiful night sky!  Did someone say Stargazing??  The Paniolo Sunset BBQ is a great idea for folks who have done the luau experience but still want to have a Hawaiian experience!  

So…now that we know where you should go for a Luau, let’s talk about what a Luau is and what to expect!

A Luau is a traditional Hawaiian celebration that consists of food, drinks and entertainment that consists of songs, chants and dance/hula.  When you arrive at the Luau grounds you will be welcomed with either a flower or shell lei.  This is our way to greet you and share the spirit of Aloha!  You are then taken to your table where you can start making friends with the others at your table.  This is actually a great time to mingle with the locals selling their creations.  Finding some rare keepsakes will always make you remember the amazing experience you had and you may even find something for that special someone back home.   There is an open bar for those who want to enjoy some adult beverages.  There are also some delicious mocktails that are available too and lots of juices, soda and water to wash down all that amazing food!  Before the show starts, each Luau venue usually has a “house band” that keeps the crowd entertained with Hawaiian tunes when the show is not going on.  These folks get you in the mood and ready for what is to come…and that is the SHOW!  

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves, first we must eat!  Most of the Luau are buffet style and you can go back as many times as you want so you don’t have to pile your plate full the first go around!  This is your time to try things that you’ve never seen or heard of before.  Poi, for example, is a Hawaiian staple and is available at every luau!  So don’t be afraid and give some of those different things a sample!  Don’t forget about dessert…the best way to finish an onolicious(delicious) meal!  

Let the show Begin!  Now that we’ve got food in our stomach, we’re ready to be entertained!  So sit back and relax and enjoy the show!  You will experience all that Hawaii and the islands have to offer in one stop!  Get ready to hear chants that ancient hawaiians have been saying for centuries, hula that have been taught from generation to generation and memories that will last  a lifetime!  

Be prepared for the evening to last about three hours from start to finish.  Keep in mind that most Luau only operate on certain nights so plan ahead of time to make sure you don’t miss out.  Always bring a light cover-up because it can get chilly after the sun goes down, bring your camera or phone to capture those unforgettable moments and make sure you bring your appetite!    So if you’re visiting Hawaii, make sure you add a Luau to your To-Do list…you will be thankful you did!  ALOHA!