What is a Luau?
Attending a luau is on the to-do-list of many Hawaii visitors, which makes the luau the number one activity in Hawaii. But what exactly is a luau? For Hawaii’s people, it is a way to celebrate a variety of occasions, such as a birthday, successful harvest, victorious battle, graduation, etc. A luau is a feast of life and it can be held for many occasions. It can be held at a family’s home or a park in form of a huge family gathering, with lots of traditional luau foods and games. If you’re visiting and don’t have a big ohana (family) here, you can visit one of the luaus, which take place on all the main Hawaiian Islands and are held for visitors and locals alike.
This traditional celebration is accompanied by music, dance and food. Besides the celebration, when you visit a luau you will have the chance to learn about the culture of Hawaii and Polynesia being demonstrated in a variety of Hawaiian customs. Some of the demonstrations include the imu ceremony, hula dance lessons, lei making lessons, Hawaii storytelling, royal court procession, hukilau on the beach and more.
Despite the fact that luau performances slightly differ from each other, every luau features the imu ceremony, the cooking of a kalua pig in an underground oven in the old traditional way. The ceremony follows the rituals of the ancient Hawaiians. And once the pig is cooked, it will be added to the meal that you will enjoy later.
Hawaii luaus are offered on all the main islands – Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island. All luaus include a lei greeting at your arrival, a luau dinner and cocktail drinks (no alcohol offered at the Polynesian Cultural Center). Here is a list of Hawaii’s luaus by island:
Luaus on Oahu
Royal Hawaiian Luau is the only luau on Waikiki Beach. It is held on the ocean lawn of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, also known as the Pink Palace of the Pacific. From here, you can enjoy sunset views over Waikiki Beach, the ocean and Diamond Head. The luau features classic Polynesian entertainment. If you are staying at Waikiki and you would like to enjoy a classic luau entertainment, the Royal Hawaiian Luau is your pick. Please note that the luau is held on Mondays and Thursdays only.
Paradise Cove Luau is held on the west side of Oahu at the world-famous Ko Olina Resort. This beachfront luau is one of the few luaus in Hawaii that besides the food present a full range of cultural activities, such as the hukilau on the beach (throwing out large fishing nets in the traditional way), Polynesian arts and crafts demonstrations, Hawaiian storytelling, the shower of flowers, the royal court procession and of course the imu ceremony. The highlight of the night is the fun and entertaining Paradise Cove Extravaganza show, which presents music and dances of Polynesia and ends with a thrilling Samoan fire-knife dance. Paradise Cove Luau is offered in three packages – buffet, royal alii and deluxe luau. Roundtrip transportation from Waikiki is offered at an additional cost.
Germaines Luau is a beachfront luau held on a private beach on the western cost of Oahu near Barber's Point Lighthouse. If you want to have lots of fun and at the same time see a traditional and authentic Hawaiian luau, this performance is for you. This luau does not present arts and crafts, but it has one of the best and most complete Polynesian shows on Oahu. Roundtrip transportation from Waikiki is included.
Sea Life Park Luau is held under the stars at the beautiful Sea Life Park in Waimanalo, which is about 15 miles (24 km) east of Waikiki. Besides its fun and authentic Polynesian entertainment show, what makes this luau really special and unique is the thrilling dolphin show you will see before dinner. Although the luau starts at 5:45 pm, you can go to the Sea Life Park earlier and spend a great time there, immersing yourself into the amazing world of dolphins, sea lions, green sea turtles, penguins and other marine life. The luau is held on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays and includes roundtrip transportation from Waikiki.
Polynesian Cultural Center is the number one attraction on Oahu. It offers several luau packages, and they also include admission to the park, where you can explore seven Polynesian villages before the luau and learn about their culture and customs. The luau is only one of the attractions offered at the center. Right after the delicious feast and the performances at the luau, you will have the chance to witness another fascination Polynesian show – the world-famous Horizon Show at the Polynesian Cultural Center Open Theatre. It features music and dances from Hawaii, Tahiti, Fiji, Samoa, New Zealand, Tonga and the Marquesas Islands. Visiting the Polynesian Cultural Center is the best way to learn about the culture of Polynesia. The center opens at 12 pm and the activities end at 9 pm. Transportation from Waikiki can be arranged for an additional fee. The center is open 6 days a week (closed on Sundays).
Luaus on Kauai
Smith’s Tropical Luau offers a night filled with a casual, relaxing and romantic atmosphere. The luau starts with the traditional imu ceremony, followed by a traditional luau dinner. You will be dining surrounded by lovely Hawaiian music; you might be even invited to participate in a hula lesson on the stage. After dinner, you will walk a short distance to the torch-lit lagoon amphitheater, where you will witness a spectacular Smith's family entertainment show. Besides traditional Hawaiian dances, you will also see authentic dances from Tahiti, China, Japan, the Philippines, New Zealand and Samoa. The luau is held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at Smith’s beautiful 30-acre botanical and cultural garden located in the fertile Wailua River Valley.
Hiva Pasefika Luau is held at the Resort Quest Kauai Beach at Makaiwa every evening, except on Mondays. Your evening will start with the imu ceremony, followed by an all-you-can-eat traditional luau buffet dinner. After dinner, you will be immersed into Hiva Pasefika's award-winning Hawaiian luau show featuring authentic Hawaiian dances. You will be encouraged to take part in the show on the stage, so if you want to be the star of the night, go for it!
Luaus on the Big Island of Hawaii
Island Breeze Luau is the only beachfront luau on the Big Island. It is held on the historic grounds of the King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel. The luau starts with arts and crafts demonstrations. Then you will see the royal court procession, which will take place aboard an outrigger canoe. Follow this procession into the royal grounds to see the luau's main course (the kalua pig) removed from the imu, the underground oven.
