Luaus
Mar 2nd, 2010, 11:54 AM
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Luaus
My husband and I are traveling to Hawaii in April for several weeks. We will be spending time on Oahu, Maui and the Island of Hawaii. We want to attend a "luau", but don't know which is better. We have looked at both the Polynesian Cutural Center dinner/show and the Old Lahaina Luau. We realize that they may have similar features, but also differences. Should we do both or are there others that may be better?
Mar 2nd, 2010, 12:59 PM
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On the Island of Hawaii, I have been to the luau at Kona Village a few times. It's a wonderful show and excellent dinner. There are two shows, one on Wednesday and one on Friday. The Friday performance is more Hawaiian dance oriented while Wednesday is Polynesian.
I've been to a number of shows on the BI and KVR are is the best I've seen. There are no cheap yucks. The luau I saw at the Royal Kona Resort had the male tourist with the coconut bra trying to learn the hula from a shapely hula dancer. All great fun, nothing to do with Hawaiian culture. Your getting a more culturally pure show at Kona Village.
You will see everyone has there old favorites. I understand Old Lahiana is a good show as is the one on Oahu at the cultural center but I that's hearsay.
If you choose KVR's luau go early and walk to the petroglyph field and stop off at the shipwreck bar for a beverage.
Bill
I've been to a number of shows on the BI and KVR are is the best I've seen. There are no cheap yucks. The luau I saw at the Royal Kona Resort had the male tourist with the coconut bra trying to learn the hula from a shapely hula dancer. All great fun, nothing to do with Hawaiian culture. Your getting a more culturally pure show at Kona Village.
You will see everyone has there old favorites. I understand Old Lahiana is a good show as is the one on Oahu at the cultural center but I that's hearsay.
If you choose KVR's luau go early and walk to the petroglyph field and stop off at the shipwreck bar for a beverage.
Bill
Mar 2nd, 2010, 01:30 PM
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Bill is absolutely right that the Kona Village lu'au--both of them--are the best. (He had the themes reversed, however--the Wednesday lu'au is more about the chants, dances, and songs of Hawai'i, while the Friday lu'au has more of the Polynesian chants and dances). Both are great, and both have a fire dance. I've got a website: www.davidskvr.net, which has video clips of the Wednesday lu'au, including one showing putting the pig in the imu (underground oven) and another on taking it out after 4 1/2 hours--both processes are very interesting. I also have put up clips of some of the dances and chants. The website itself is a labor of love because I am a frequent guest of Kona Village, and you are invited to browse and see if it has any interest as a place to spend some time. For the lu'au pictures, click on page 16.
David
David
Mar 2nd, 2010, 01:35 PM
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If you are planning to go to the Polynesian Cultural Center, then I would go to the luau, and subsequent show, and make a full (or half) day of it. My husband was absolutely tortured by the whole day, though, so I don't think we'll do it again. We had taken the bus from our hotel because I didn't want to drive at night so they had us in captivity.
I've also gone to the luau at Kona Village. I agree it is probably the best on the island, as I've never heard anyone disagree with that.
I have also gone to the Outrigger Luau. You are seated with other families, which ended up being very fun, although in general I hate that idea.
I think that the quality of dancing and music is quite high in Hawaii in general, because there are so many people studying Hawaiian music and dance.
Luaus make for a memorable if somewhat cheesy evening. You are usually clapping for honeymoon and anniversary couples, for example.
My friends love the luau at Lahaina, although I've never been.
Luaus are kind of expensive, and the food is buffet, and you are standing in lines, and seated with others, and sometimes given silly tasks to perform....
Kind of like the male tourist with the coconut bra that Bill mentions above. I'm always surprised, but a lot of people like that, and I guess the mai tais are flowing. We can't drink them, so I miss out on that aspect.
So, I agree that the Kona Village luau is in the most lovely location, with the highest quality of food and entertainment.
I've also gone to the luau at Kona Village. I agree it is probably the best on the island, as I've never heard anyone disagree with that.
I have also gone to the Outrigger Luau. You are seated with other families, which ended up being very fun, although in general I hate that idea.
I think that the quality of dancing and music is quite high in Hawaii in general, because there are so many people studying Hawaiian music and dance.
Luaus make for a memorable if somewhat cheesy evening. You are usually clapping for honeymoon and anniversary couples, for example.
My friends love the luau at Lahaina, although I've never been.
Luaus are kind of expensive, and the food is buffet, and you are standing in lines, and seated with others, and sometimes given silly tasks to perform....
Kind of like the male tourist with the coconut bra that Bill mentions above. I'm always surprised, but a lot of people like that, and I guess the mai tais are flowing. We can't drink them, so I miss out on that aspect.
So, I agree that the Kona Village luau is in the most lovely location, with the highest quality of food and entertainment.
Mar 2nd, 2010, 01:36 PM
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Polynesian Cultural Center has by far the best Polynesian entertainment in Hawaii. 9 hours of entertainment compared to 1-2 hours anywhere else.
Drums of the Pacific on Maui is a good luau. They have the best fire knife dancer on Maui.
Drums of the Pacific on Maui is a good luau. They have the best fire knife dancer on Maui.
Mar 2nd, 2010, 01:58 PM
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We did the Old Lahaina Luau and really enjoyed it. Nice setting by the water, and they roast a pig and parade it around, good drinks. Ours had both table seating and floor seating, and the people on the floor looked pretty uncomfortable to me. Feast of Lele also gets consistently good reviews.
Mar 2nd, 2010, 02:21 PM
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David, nice clip of Aunty Lei giving the talk about the ‘Aha‘aina.
Volcanogirl is right that the old lahania grounds are very scenic. I didn't eat there but I did view the property.
I have heard that the production at the cultural center is high quality, but I for one could not take 9 hours of polynesian entertainment or any kind of entertainment. At some point I begin to feel like I am in Disneyland stuck in It's a Small World. Two hours is just right!
Volcanogirl is right that the old lahania grounds are very scenic. I didn't eat there but I did view the property.
I have heard that the production at the cultural center is high quality, but I for one could not take 9 hours of polynesian entertainment or any kind of entertainment. At some point I begin to feel like I am in Disneyland stuck in It's a Small World. Two hours is just right!
