The Best Lūʻau in Hawaiʻi, According to our Editors
From Oʻahu to the Big Island, here are some of the best lūʻau in Hawaiʻi.
If you’re looking for the best lūʻau in Hawaiʻi, you’ll have a lot of options to choose from as almost every Major Hawaiian Island in the state has a plethora of fantastic lūʻau. For those unaware, lūʻau are major celebrations of both Hawaiian and Polynesian culture and often feature epic shows—from classic Hawaiʻi hula to bombastic fire knife dancing and more—put on by local performers. And who can forget the food? A smattering of local-style entrees and pūpū (appetizers), many lūʻau feature buffet-style meals meaning guests can indulge to their hearts—and stomachs’—content.
Below we’ve spotlighted some of the best lūʻau in Hawaiʻi, according to our editors.
Read More: Your Lūʻau Cheat Sheet
OAHU LŪʻAU:
Aliʻi Lūʻau at the Polynesian Cultural Center
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Already set in one of the best visitor attractions on Oʻahu, the Polynesian Cultural Center on the island’s North Shore, the Aliʻi Lūʻau is everything you’d want and more from a lūʻau experience. After dining on a feast fit for royalty, the sound of the pu (conch) signals the arrival of the Royal Court, performers donning royal colors and attire reminiscent of actual Hawaiian aliʻi (royalty). Guest will then be serenaded by ʻukulele, steel string guitar and other local instruments as the show begins.
Waikīkī Starlight Lūʻau
With resort quality dining, acrobatic fire dancers and a tropical outdoor venue nestled in the heart of Waikīkī, the Waikīkī Starlight Lūʻau is, without a doubt, one of the best lūʻau in Hawaiʻi. It’s one of the Islands’ only lagoon-front lūʻau, and guests will have the unique opportunity to experience the exciting production of Voyages Across the South Seas under a starlit sky.
Paradise Cove Lūʻau
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Located on 12 beautiful acres of beachfront property fronting the Ko ʻOlina Resort. Far away from the clamoring shores of Waikīkī, the Paradise Cove Lūʻau offers a luxurious alternative to your everyday Waikīkī lūʻau. Traditional and contemporary song and dances are the stars of this show, which have helped this lūʻau place as one of the best lūʻau in Hawaiʻi—and Oʻahu—in our annual Readers’ Choice Awards feature.
Germaine’s Lūʻau
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If you’re looking for a laidback, authentically Hawaiʻi-style lūʻau, look no further than Germaine’s Lūʻau in Kapolei. Hosted at a property once owned by a wealthy and hospitable ʻohana (family), who threw lūʻau just for fun, the celebrations continues today. Hula lessons and engaging performances are accompanied by an all-you-can-eat buffet of Hawaiian fare, and guests can even enjoy watching a tradition imu ceremony.
Hale Koa Hotel Lūʻau
There’s nothing more tropical and uniquely Hawaiʻi than enjoying a lūʻau by the beach, and at the Hale Koa Hotel Lūʻau, you can do just that. Just steps away from the shoreline—as well as the Hale Koa Hotel’s pool—this lūʻau starts with a wonderful 3-course meal before performers and dancers take guests through the history of Polynesia with song and dance.
MAUI LŪʻAU
Old Lahaina Lūʻau
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At the Old Lahaina Lūʻau, you can expect to get a truly traditional lūʻau experience with one of Hawaiʻi’s top rated attractions. Guests can enjoy an open-air venue as they listen to the sounds of Hawaiʻi—the daily breeze and music by local artists—and enjoy live hula dancing by some of the state’s most talented performers. Attendees can also enjoy a smattering of ʻono (delicious) local foods, like kālua pig and haupia—and there’s even vegan and vegetarian options for those on a meatless diet.
Book at oldlahainaluau.com
Royal Lahaina Myths of Maui Luau
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One of Maui’s longest running lūʻau, the Royal Lahaina Myths of Maui Luau is located on a stunning waterfront property fronting Kaʻanapali Beach—one of Maui’s best beaches. Not only will you be getting a prime view of the Maui sunset, you can feast on a buffet of traditional Hawaiian fare and sip on tropical cocktails as you enjoy fireknife dancer and hula performers put on the show of a lifetime.
Grand Wailea’s Ahaʻaina Luau
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It’s no secret that the Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort, is one of Maui’s most luxurious resorts. So it should come as no surprise that its lūʻau, the Ahaʻaina Lūʻau, is one of the most grand on island. Teaching its guests about the Native Hawaiian gods, goddesses and the history of the islands, lūʻau-goers can also enjoy lawn games and hula lessons before the real festivities begin.
Andaz Maui Resort’s Feast at Mokapu Lūʻau
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One of the Valley Isle’s newer lūʻau options, the Andaz Maui Resort’s Feast at Mokapu Lūʻau is a great option for visitors or locals looking for something new. Featuring table service, innovative family-style menus and personalized services, the Feast at Mokapu Lūʻau is also located on prime property on Maui’s south shore, making for a truly luxurious experience.
Sheraton’s Maui Nui Lūʻau at Black Rock
Fun for the whole family, this oceanfront lūʻau—which fronts Kaʻanapali Beach—is one of the best lūʻau in Hawaiʻi. Known for its torchlighting and cliff diving ceremony, a lūʻau performer dramatically lights the torches atop Puʻu Kekaʻa, also known as Black Rock, before dramatically diving off—and ode to the ancient Hawaiian tradition of cliff diving. This west Maui option is ideal for families, and is known for being an entertaining show for all-ages.
KAUA’I LŪʻAU
Smith Family Garden Lūʻau
Taking full advantage of Kauaʻi’s natural beauty and flourishing flora, the Smith Family Garden Lūʻau is one of the best on Kauaʻi. A visitor favorite, you can enjoy the easy going atmosphere here, as the lūʻau is located on a 30-acre botanical garden maintained by the Smith family. You can take a tour of the gardens before the lūʻau begins, which also feature not just Polynesian culture, but Japanese and Chinese culture as well—which have heavily influenced the local culture we see here today on Hawaiʻi.
‘Ahi Uila Fire Show
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Fire and flames define this unique lūʻau experience, which takes place at the Hilton Garden Inn Kauaʻi Wailua Bay on Kauaʻi’s east coast. Through fire dancing and hypnotic rhythmys from Polynesian drummers, your heart and emotions will sway wildly along with the flames of the tiki torches as performers take you through Hawaiʻi’s unique culture and history. Staple local fare is also on the menu, such as ʻahi poke, kalbi chicken, mai tais and more.
Lūʻau Ka Hikina
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At the Sheraton Kauaʻi Coconut Beach Resort’s lūʻau, tradition and culture take precedence. After a torch lighting ceremony at the open-air Hālau Hoʻokipa—the property’s newly built outdoor event space—hula dancers perform hula kahiko (traditional hula) under the direction of award-winning kumu hula (hula master) Leilani Rivera Low. The lūʻau feast is also sourced locally, adding an additional layer of authenticity to this memorable event.
BIG ISLAND LŪʻAU
Legends of Hawaiʻi Lūʻau
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Lūʻau on Hawaiʻi Island are known as being some of the best in the state—from an authenticity and entertainment point-of-view—and the Legends of Hawaiʻi Lūʻau, located at the expansive Hilton Waikoloa Village is one of the best of the best. This lūʻau is not only highly educational, but highly entertaining, and guests will leave the experience knowing so much more about Hawaiian culture and history. They may even know a little ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language) as lūʻau performers offer lessons before the main event begins.
Hawai’iloa Lū‘au
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On the Kohala Coast—an area filled with Hawaiian history and cultural sites of interest—the Hawaiʻiloa Lūʻau wows visitors with spectacular displays of hula dancing and traditional Hawaiian music. The menu changes seasonally as almost all of the food on offer is sourced locally, but the food is ʻono all year long. The lūʻau is also more limited in size, meaning guests can enjoy a more intimate lūʻau experience.
Island Breeze Lūʻau
Set under the stars of Kamakahonu Bay, a scenic beach located on the north end of Kailua Bay, the Island Breeze Lūʻau is known for its ʻono food and world-class production quality. Heck, the event starts with the arrival of the lūʻau’s royal court, which enters via outrigger canoe. The lūʻau is also best suited for large groups or ʻohana with young kids, who will find the hula lessons and moʻolelo (Hawaiian stories) endlessly entertaining.
Voyagers of the Pacific Lūʻau
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A classic Hawaiʻi lūʻau, the Voyagers of the Pacific Lūʻau has it all. Located at the Royal Kona Resort, guests can enjoy a spectacular sunset view before indulging in a lūʻau feast under the stars. Traditional Hawaiian dishes include kālua pig, lomi lomi salmon, haupia (coconut pudding) and more. The show itself features Hawaiian fire dancers, traditional hula performances and rhythmic Polynesian music.
