Treesa

We'll be visiting the islands in August accompanied by a couple from France, who've never been to Hawaii. We want to take them to a luau but not a commercial one but rather a local "group" style where non members are invited. Do you have any suggestions?

Marginal

As someone has mentioned before, your best bet would be to find a church or local luau, maybe posted on a store bulletin board. They may be quite low-key, and some might not have any dancing. No roasted pig or anything like that.

For a commercial lua, you can't beat Old Lahaina Luau or Feast at Lele on Maui. They are really worth going to.

joeyi

i know this doesn't help but there is a really good non touristy one on the big island. it is given by local families that are teaching their children the hawaiian culture. the public is invited, it's the 3rd Sat of every month.

iamq

The only one I know of is on Kauai sometime in July. Sorry.

Marginal

joeyi

Where on The Big Island is it? How does one find directions?

volcanogirl

Even thought it's commercial, we really enjoyed the Old Lahaina Luau on Maui.

suze

Basically then you are limiting yourself to smaller community events or personal family celebration.

Happening to find one and get invited to it, on the island you're visiting, during the short time you're there, would be pretty unusual imo.

The Old Lahaina Luau is truly an excellent experience. Are you sure you wouldn't enjoy going there?

beth_fitz

There are two on Kauai that are very popular but they are commerical. Smith's and the one at Kilohana Plantation.

As other's have said, you'd have to inquire while on the island about non-commercial ones.

travelinandgolfin

Do you plan to crash them?

I'm not sure how you are planning on attending them.

It would certainly be in poor taste to try and get yourself invited if you're not a member of the church or group.

Marginal

When a notice about a luau is posted on a board, that means they are inviting people to participate and contribute funds. Nothing party-crashing about that.

joeyi

Marginal,

the one on the big island is the 3rd Saturday night each month. It's in Kalapana at the end of the red road where the shave ice stand and the ava bar. it's very authentic hawaiian, one of the best things we've ever experienced there. the children do all the set up and serve all the food. The parents play wonderful hawaiian music and the children perform some dances.
I do not remember the cost, but it was very reasonable and very welcoming. I think we listened to music for 3 hours as different people came on and off the stage to play.

dusty56438

Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu has the best Polynesian entertainment in Hawaii.

For a non-commercial luau, check the newspapers like Honolulu Advertiser, MidWeek & Honolulu Star Bulletin for church luaus or similar.

Treesa

Thank you for your replies.

No, we are not planning to crash a luau without an invitation. About 4 years ago we were in Kihei on Maui and noticed a sign on a telephone pole about a luau being held the next day by the local VFW Chapter. We went to this luau, it was great, cooking by the local ladies, entertainment by the keikis (kids). Can't remember the price, but it was about 1/3 of what the commercial operators charge. We were very much welcomed and had fun "talking story" with several locals.

kauai_aka

our halau just had a fundraiser luau here on kauai and the less critical ones are tourists. locals just come for the food. we're having another fundraiser at kilohana this sunday, local bands, not a luau.

suze

I'm not sure that they would list things that local, but...
gohawaii.com website has a 'plan your trip' tab with events listings you call pull up by date and by island (a kind poster told me about it before my last trip and it was very helpful).

Dukey

We used to be invited to the luaus held at the Kam Schools on Oahu.

They were nice and I suppose people might say they were authentic

but they were held in the school gym!!!!

We've been to several "commercial" ones that were much more atmospheric (and the pig was just as good and that horrid poi just as bad)...enjoy..whatever!!

kauai_aka

His name is Kamehameha, he was a great warrior and not Chinese.

MelissaHI

Poi is wasted on the commercial luaus! I love it...but it's now $8-12 a bag.

BTW Dukey, to really enjoy poi, it's gotta be eaten with the fish or pig, not by itself.

Rusty

If you pay to attend it is a commercial luau. It sounds like what you are looking for is someone's backyard luau.

Good luck getting invited.