Long before the days of commercial airlines facilitated getting hoards of tourists to the islands of Hawaii each year to soak up the sun and enjoy a little local Hawaiian culture, Hawaiian Kings would host luaus for foreign dignitaries and other important visitors to the islands. Traditionally a deeply symbolic and important event in Hawaiian culture (which all centered around a giant feast of traditional Hawaiian food like Kaluau pork), Luaus remain a hugely popular activity for travelers to Hawaii.
If you are looking for one of the many popular things to do in Maui, a luau can be a great way to spend an evening soaking up traditional Hawaiian culture. There are lots of different luaus for travelers to choose from, depending on how large a party they are looking for and what part of the island they are headed. Since different luaus aim at giving travelers different experiences, here is a run-down on the island’s best so you can find the right Maui luau for your vacation.
>>Read more about Hawaiian luaus
Best Luaus in Maui
Feast at Lele
If you are looking for a more intimate luau with fewer guests, premium service and an emphasis on delicious food, than this is the luau for you. Although at around $100 per person this luau is more expensive than many other luaus on Maui, it is the only Maui luau where you will not only get to enjoy private seating, but also a romantic and traditional Polynesian feast.
Those honeymooners in Maui will appreciate the romantic and intimate setting and the attention to premium service and gourmet traditional Luau food— traditional Polynesian banana, taro and sweet potato chips served with a tropical ginger salsa, mango sauce poi, fresh fish and more. Guests will also enjoy traditional hula and Samoan fire knife dancers.
Ka’anapali Beach Luau
If you are on a tighter budget, but are still dying to go to a Hawaiian luau, the Kaananapli Beach luau is the least expensive luau on the islands, with rates at just around $60/person and children 3-12 also eat for free with each paying adult, making this an ideal luau to take your family to.
While the price is significantly lower at this luau, guests will still be impressed by the luau buffet, which features taro rolls, poi, lomi lomi salmon, island fish, chicken, steak and kalua pork. This luau also features a Polynesian revue, complete with fire knife dancers, hula, authentic costumes and the music of Don Ho and Elvis celebrating the early days of Hollywood and Hawaii (which continues today—check out celebrity homes in Hawaii).
Royal Lahaina Luau
This luau has frequently been cited as one of the island’s most authentic luau and is a favorite among locals and guests alike. Plus, any luau that kicks off by greeting you with a fresh flower lei and a mai tai is ok in my book.
Not only does the location of this luau offer spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean, but you can also spot Molkai and Lani off the coast and guests are almost guaranteed to enjoy a spectacular sunset. Dinner consists of many traditional Hawaiian lauau foods—poi, Kalua pork, mahi mahi and more and guests will also be able to enjoy authentic luau entertainment. Book this luau early, however, as it immense popularity means it often sells out months in advance.
Hyatt Regency Luau
Located on Kaannapali Beach, this another great luau for people with families, as there is one free child for every 2 paying adults. This luau features a great buffet full of traditional luau food including poi, lomi lomi salmon, ahi poke and more. Plus, with a open bar (all you can drink? Hell yes), you are sure to be extra entertained as you watch the famous Drums of the Pacific performance which features hula dancers, Samoan fire knife dancers, energetic Mori dances, roaring drums and the more.
Maui Wailea Sunset Luau
This luau which runs every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at the Maui Prince resort features coordinated Tahitian drum dances, ancient Hawaiian chants, hula dancers and Samoan fire dancers, who perform while you enjoy a multi-course meal of traditional Hawaii luau foods.
Enjoy multiple mai tais at the open bar and you are sure to enjoy those fire knife dancers and pretty hula girls a whole lot more towards the end.
Sheraton Kaanapali Sunset Luau
With live hula performers, Polynesian fire knife dancers and plenty of great food in the buffet, visitors to the Shertaon Kaanapali Sunset Luau, which takes place at the edge of Kaanapali’s scenic Black Rock Point. Sample the potato-mac salad, sliced papaya and Kalua pork and mahi mahi as you watch the sun dip below the horizon and gyrating hula dancers entertain you through the night.
This luau takes place Mondays, Wednesdays and Friday. Adults are approximately $90/person, children $43.
Westin Wailele Luau
Yet another luau that takes place at Maui Kaananpali Beach, this luau takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays and costs approximately $100/adult and $75/per child. While this luau boasts a four course meal featuring traditional Hawaiian classics, this luau is best known for its extended performance.
he two-and-a-half hour performance includes a heart-stopping fire knife dance finale and superb dinner served at the oceanfront setting on Ka’anapali Beach. A heart-stopping fire knife dance finale and superb dinner served at the oceanfront setting on Ka’anapali Beach.
More About Luaus
- Interested in learning more about luaus in Hawaii? Read up on the historical and culture significance, traditional luau foods and more. About Hawaii Luaus
- Read up more on what foods you should expect to see at a Hawaiian luau. Traditional Hawaiian Food.
Photos by Commorancy flickr, Alix flickr, Jeff Henshaw flickr, Corey Ann flickr , D’Arcy Norman flickr, Webnelly flickr
