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What to keep in mind while booking a luau
- Location: Oahu and Kauai are the two main islands in Hawaii that have luaus. Oahu luaus are accessible by car and bus. If you want to go to a luau in Kauai from Oahu, you will need to take a flight to the Lihue airport.
- Timings: Each luau takes place 3 to 5 times during the week. The frequency can change depending on the season, number of visitors, etc. They start at about 5pm and end at approximately 8:30pm.
- Setting: All luaus offer a different environment and setting for their experience. From dining at the oceanfront to enjoying the experience in a historic plantation, you can select the luau based on the setting that suits you most.
- Food: While all luaus offer traditional Hawaiian dishes, each one has its own take on the food menu. Choose between traditional Polynesian, upscale Hawaiian, Hawaiian-American, or regional Hawaiian menus.
- Entertainment: Live music, hula dancing, and other performances take place at the beginning of the feast and culminate with the live show at the end of every luau.
- Activities: Cultural activities and luau entertainment differ from luau to luau. Some have the Imu ceremony you can witness, hula dancing lessons, activities you can participate in, such as floral headpiece making, temporary tattoo art, and more.
- Live show: Each live show is focused on a different aspect of Hawaiian history & traditions, and is performed with its own unique style. From Broadway-style shows to reenactments of battles that portray the bravery of Hawaiian warriors of the past, you have a variety of options to choose from.
Pick the island for your luau
Narrow down your selection process and start off by choosing the island you want to visit for the luau.
🌺Oahu🌺
🍃Kauai🍃
Luaus in Oahu
Oahu, known as the “Heart of Hawaii”, is home to many experiences and is the most popular choice for visitors. The island offers multiple experiences across popular areas such as Honolulu, Waikiki, Kapolei, and more. If you are planning on combining multiple experiences in a short trip to Hawaii, then Oahu would be the ideal choice. You can go surfing on the North Shore beaches, enjoy boat tours, or visit Pearl Harbor with ease.
🔥Mauka Warriors Luau
Mauka Warriors are best known for their authenticity in terms of the experience. They aim to engage, educate, and entertain their visitors through multiple cultural activities, ceremonies, and performances. Ideal for families with children and those who are looking for a more traditional yet immersive luau experience.
Highlights:
- The largest fire show in Oahu.
- Interactive cultural experiences.
- Historic account of Polynesian warrior history with a focus on the Hawaiian Islands.
Location: Kapolei, West Oahu | Find on Maps
Setting: Open air, quiet setting, on the grounds of Coral Crater Adventure Park
Food: Polynesian (Menu)
Entertainment: Hula lessons, headband weaving, temporary tattoos, kava tasting, live music.
Live show: Warrior history with a focus on their cultural heritage, with hula, fire dancing, music, and battle reenactments.
Price: Starting at $139
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🕺🏻Rock-A-Hula Show
Witness the blend of traditional with modern through performances that range from the "Hapa-Haole" Hula to contemporary dance styles during the Rock-A-Hula Show. The performance takes you on a journey through Hawaii from the 1920s and its evolution over the years. Meet the cast after the show, enjoy comfortable, elevated seating at the Royal Hawaiian Theater, and choose to add the luau feast to your experience. Ideal for theater fans, first-time visitors, and contemporary performance art enthusiasts.
Highlights:
- State-of-the-art performance venue at the Royal Hawaiian Theater.
- Modern interpretation of Hawaiian history, performed Broadway-style.
- Option to add a backstage tour, the luau buffet, and additional perks with your upgrade.
Location: Waikiki | Find on Maps
Setting: 750-seat large-scale venue for the live show, with state-of-the-art lighting & sound system.
Food: Upscale Hawaiian (Menu)
Entertainment: Hula lessons, live tableside music before the show. Meet & greet with the Rock-A-Hula show cast after the performance.
Live show: Hawaiian history from the 1920s till the present, retold with Broadway flair and contemporary performances.
Price: Starting at $86
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🐚Germaine’s Luau
Embrace the Aloha spirit and feel the essence of Ohana (family) come to life at this luau. This relaxing luau takes place on a beachfront property under the open sky, creating a serene atmosphere in the lively festivities. Hear the conch shell, watch the unveiling of the kalua pig, and participate in multiple interactive activities. It is ideal for families with kids and those looking for a more casual luau experience.
Highlights:
- Location where Disney’s Lilo & Stitch movie was filmed.
- Oceanside, backyard-style environment for a more traditional luau experience
- Family-friendly experience with activities suited for visitors of all ages.
Location: Kapolei shoreside, West Oahu| Find on Maps
Setting: Easygoing, backyard-style, open-air luau on the shores of West Oahu.
Food: Hawaiian-American (Menu)
Entertainment: Imu ceremony, fresh floral accessory making, Polynesian temporary tattoo art, live music, and hula dances.
Live show: Known to capture the spirit of old Hawaii through their storytelling, fire-knife performances, song, dance, and hula.
Price: Starting at $124
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🏛️Ka Moana Luau
Experience an intimate and authentic celebration of Polynesian culture at Ka Moana Luau. Set against the lush backdrop of Aloha Tower Marketplace near Honolulu Harbor, this luau blends traditional Hawaiian customs with modern comfort. Guests are welcomed with a warm lei greeting before enjoying hands-on cultural activities, a Hawaiian-style feast, and a high-energy evening show. With its smaller group size and interactive feel, Ka Moana Luau is ideal for visitors seeking a personal and culturally rich luau experience close to Waikiki.
Highlights:
- More intimate luau experience with smaller crowds
- Convenient location near Waikiki and downtown Honolulu
- Interactive cultural activities before the show
- Strong focus on Hawaiian history and storytelling
Location: Aloha Tower Marketplace, Honolulu Harbor | Find on Maps
Setting: Open-air waterfront venue with views of the harbor and city skyline.
Food: Traditional island cuisine (Menu)
Entertainment: Lei greeting, cultural demonstrations, live Hawaiian music, and hula performances.
Live show: A dynamic Polynesian revue featuring storytelling, hula, Tahitian drumming, and thrilling fire-knife dancing that traces the journey of Polynesian cultures.
Price: Starting at $135
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🌅Paradise Cove Luau
One of Oahu’s most iconic luaus, Paradise Cove Luau offers a grand, festive celebration set on a sprawling beachfront property in Ko Olina. This lively luau begins with a wide range of cultural games and activities, followed by a traditional imu ceremony and a generous island buffet. As the sun sets over the ocean, guests are treated to a large-scale Polynesian show that blends music, dance, and fire in a spectacular seaside setting. It’s a great choice for first-time visitors and large groups looking for a classic Hawaiian luau experience.
Highlights:
- Expansive oceanfront venue with sunset views
- Wide variety of pre-show cultural activities and games
- Large-scale production suitable for families and groups
- One of the most well-known luaus on Oahu
Location: Kapolei, West Oahu | Find on Maps
Setting: Spacious beachfront grounds with tropical gardens and open-air seating overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Food: Hawaiian and Polynesian-inspired food (Menu)
Entertainment: Hawaiian games, cultural demonstrations, live music, hula dancing, and a dinner show before the performance.
Live show: A high-energy Polynesian spectacular featuring Hawaiian hula, Tahitian dance, Samoan fire-knife performances, and live music celebrating island cultures.
Price: Starting at $180
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Luaus in Kauai
Known as the “Garden of Hawaii”, Kauai offers a serene and scenic escape from the hustle and bustle one might find in Oahu. The island is filled with trails you can explore, beaches you can snorkel at, whale watching tours you can experience, and it offers a peaceful environment where you can truly relax. If you want a less crowded, more nature-focused exploration of Hawaii, then visiting Kauai might be the best choice.
🌴Lu’au Kalamaku
Set on the historic Kilohana Plantation in Lihue, Lu’au Kalamaku offers a blend of regional experiences, a feast, and a theatrical live performance highlighting the history of the people of Kauai and Hawaiian mythology.
Highlights:
- Exploration of the plantation grounds, craft fairs, and a historic, narrated ride on the Kauai Plantation Railway.
- Focus on regional cuisine with modern influences, made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
- Theatrical live performance with detailed costumes, state-of-the-art interactive stage design, and lively music and dance.
Location: Lihue, Kauai | Find on Maps
Setting: Historic setting on the Kilohana Plantation grounds in an open-air environment.
Food: Regional Hawaiian with modern influences (Menu)
Entertainment: Live music, imu ceremony, craft fair at the Kilohana Plantation, and a train ride on the Kauai Plantation Railway.
Live show: Historic retelling of the journey of the Tahitian people to the island of Kauai, with a strong emphasis on culture, tradition, and mythology.
Price: Starting at $179
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Hawaii luaus | Comparison highlights
Luau
Location
Setting
Food
Entertainment & activities
Live show
Price (starting from)
Best for
🔥Mauka Warriors Luau
Kapolei, West Oahu
Open-air, quiet, Coral Crater Adventure Park
Hula lessons, headband weaving, tattoos, kava tasting, live music
Warrior history retelling with hula, fire dancing, music, battle reenactments
$139
History buffs, families, immersive cultural seekers
🕺🏻Rock-A-Hula Show
Waikiki, Oahu
Royal Hawaiian Theater, 750-seat venue with state-of-the-art sound & lighting
Hula lessons, tableside live music, backstage tour option, cast meet & greet
Broadway-style journey of Hawaiian history from 1920s–present
$86
Theater lovers, first-time visitors, modern performance fans
🐚Germaine's Luau
Kapolei shoreside, West Oahu
Oceanside, backyard-style, open-air
Imu ceremony, lei making, tattoo art, live music, hula
Traditional storytelling, hula, fire-knife, song & dance, capturing old Hawaii
$124
Families with kids, casual luau seekers, fans of Disney’s Lilo & Stitch
🌴Lu'au Kalamaku
Lihue, Kauai
Historic Kilohana Plantation, open-air
Plantation tour, craft fair, imu ceremony, train ride, live music
Theatrical retelling of Tahitian migration to Kauai with costumes & interactive stage
$179
Culture lovers, couples, Kauai visitors, immersive history enthusiasts
🏛️Ka Moana Luau
Honolulu
Intimate setting in a historic landmark
Lei greeting, cultural demonstrations, live music, hula
Journey through the Pacific Islands narrated through dance, chants, and music
$135
History and culture buffs, families, theater lovers
🌅Paradise Cove Luau
Kapolei, West Oahu
Beachfront setting on Oahu’s shores
Hawaiian games, cultural demonstrations, live music, hula dancing, dinner show
High energy performance, celebrating Polynesian culture by an award-winning cast
$180
First-time visitors, families, theater fans, those looking for immersive experiences
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Frequently asked questions about choosing the right luau in Hawaii
Which is the most convenient luau to reach?
If you’re looking for a luau in an area that’s close to all the resorts and downtown Honolulu, then the Rock-A-Hula Show luau might be the best fit.
Is taking a flight the only way to reach Kauai from Oahu?
Yes, flights are the only option if you want to travel between the two islands because there are no inter-island ferries available at the moment. It’s approximately a 30-minute flight.
Which luau is the best option for a history buff?
Mauka Warriors Luau in Oahu and Luau Kalamaku in Kauai offer an authentic historic luau experience.
Which luau is the best option for children?
While all luaus are kid-friendly experiences, Germaine’s Luau is known for its family-friendly environment. It was also the location where Disney’s live-action movie Lilo & Stitch was filmed, making it a favorite among children.
Do the luaus take place daily?
Each luau operates nearly daily, with a frequency ranging from 3 to 5 days a week. Check the date and time of your luau before making your purchase.
