No visit to Hawaii is complete without attending a luau show – and one of the best luaus anywhere on the islands is the Old Lahaina Luau.
(Photo: Max Delaquis via Flickr / CC BY 2.0)
Attention: At present, Old Lahaina Luau is not available due to wild fires and is not expected to recommence until next year. However, there are several alternatives on the island of Hawaii. We’ve picked out three below.
Alternative Hawaii luaus
If you’d prefer to try out an alternative Maui luau, there are a wide number to pick from. Among them is the Feast at Mokapu Farm-to-Table Luau, which takes place at Andaz Maui Resort in Wailea, set amid a grassy lawn and the sandy shore of Mokapu beach. This popular 3-hour luau offers the chance to learn about the history of Maui and enjoy a family-style dinner and personalised cocktails. Guests take a journey into Polynesian history as the host regales audiences with tales of the arrival of the Polynesians in Maui. The main event is a hearty “ohana” (family) style farm-to-table meal with cocktails, followed by Hula dancers and fire dancers. This luau can be booked via GetYourGuide.
Another option is the Gilligans’ Island Luau, held on the Maui Nui Golf Course on Maui’s southwestern coast and invites guests to get an up-close look at authentic Polynesian culture. Over 2.5 hours, there’s storytelling, audience participation and live dancing performances that transport guests through the evolution of the region’s rich cultural heritage. A Hawaiian Buffet and open bar ensure guests are well fed and watered throughout. The grand finale is a Samoan fire dancer routine to close out the occasion in style. This luau can also be booked via GetYourGuide.
(Photo: Gilligans’ Island Luau / Courtesy GetYourGuide)
Our final suggested alternative for a Maui luau is the Te Au Moana Luau at The Wailea Beach Marriott Resort. Over the course of up to three hours, guests can discover the Polynesian ancestry of the islands as dancers portray the stories of fishing, gathering, and voyaging. Along with the live performances, there’s also an all-you-can-eat buffet comprising of a variety of Hawaiian specialties. As a souvenir of the evening, guests also get to take away a special gift, such as a traditional flower lei, a kukui nut lei, or a hand-carved wooden necklace. This luau can be booked at Viator.com.
A brief introduction to Old Lahaina Luau
Usually accompanied by entertainment, luauas feature authentic Hawaiian cuisine such as poi, kālua puaʻa, poke, lomi salmon, ʻopihi, and haupia, beer, along with Hawaiian music and hula dancing. Luaus take place across Hawaii, but perhaps the best known is held in Lahaina on the idyllic island of Mau, which is dotted with swaying palm trees and spotless beaches.
When you step through the gates at the Old Lāhainā Lūʻau, you’re swept into an immersive world of Hawaiian culture, storytelling, and feasting, all set against the backdrop of breath-taking ocean views. After arriving, you’re greeted with the gift of a fresh orchid ‘lei’ – a flower necklace – to wear and take away as a cherished memento. Next, you’re escorted to your own private table, either raised or a traditional mat style on the floor.
Then, over the course of the evening, you’ll be treated to a dazzling array of hospitality, food, and entertainment. Get serenaded by local musicians playing island melodies on a ukulele, watch the sun sink into the ocean as the tiki torches are lit, and tuck into a 5-course feast of Hawaiian delicacies. During the meal, you’ll feel the beat of the ‘pahu’ – Hawaiian drums –as the stage entertainment begins and the story of Hawaii is told through dance.