On all the threads about Kauai, there are no mention of Luaus. Are there any nice ones on Kauai? Are they worth it? Are there better things to do? Should I go to one just to put the "check" in the box? Opinions/comments/recommendations?

Yes, definitely do a Lauau. Smith's family does a nice authentic one on the river and there is an excellent one at the Princeville Hotel (although a little more touristy)

ttt

I saw the Princeville Luau when I was staying at the resort, it looked very nice and gets a good crowd. You can also dance. It is set up by the pool where you can watch the sun set.

Princeville Hotels' luau is still my favorite of those I've attended in Hawaii, tho' it's been 6 yrs since I was there. It has a smaller, homier feel than many, and the food was delicious.The Smith Family does a good show which is unique in showing dances from all the groups that contributed to the Hawaii of today. If you just want to see the show, you can (and pay lots less $). Speaking of the Smith Family, i think there Wailua River tour is lovely, very peaceful, well done.

I went to the one at the Hyatt just to see the show, not to eat. You can sit at the bar area which is a distance away and watch.

mclaurie, were you charged sitting at the bar to watch the show?

I don't think so but I'm not sure. I've emailed the friend we were with to get the answer.

I haven't posted this yet this year, so...

For the best non-tourist lu`au experience, check the local island paper when you arrive -- see if a canoe club or hula school or church is having a lu`au (typical fundraiser here in the islands). You'll be treated to a "real" Hawaiian experience.

Heading to Kaua`i this month? Lu`au and ho`ike (similar to a dance recital, but all-hula) Sunday January 23 in Lihu`e.

Budman,

When we were there in Sept., I fully wasn't planning to do a luau...BUT, we purposely stopped at the free Wednesday performance by a youth dance group at the Coconut Marketplace...and I was HOOKED on the dancing! So, we ended up using one of those discount activities shop to book a real luau (smith's family) for that Friday night. It was totally worth the $55 IMHO! Extremely well done for a mass production (you eat at long buffet tables with hundreds of other tourists) and then watch the show from a glitzy pavillion. Definitely touristy, but still very fun! We chose to just walk around the gardens prior to the imu (sp?) ceremony where they took the meat out of the ground, rather than riding the tram around.

If you haven't been to one before--I highly recommend this one.

Also, DH and I had fun playing (See how many couples in matching Aloha-wear you can find at the Luau)--too funny because when we were shopping I teased DH that I wanted us to get Aloha wear in matching prints, and he refused. Then we saw at least 8 couples doing just that!

AZWildcat

Heard back from my friend who says the bar we sat at at the Hyatt, the Seaview Terrace Bar, has been moved so not sure you can do what we did.

He says he's heard the best luau is at Gaylord's which is in Kilohana, the old estate home of the Wilcox family which is located in Lihue on the way to the western side of the island.

I like Auntiemaria and AZWildcat's ideas.

I was about to switch off when I saw mention of Gaylords. We went to this in August and it was probably the part of the holiday I enjoyed least.
I had never been to Hawai'i before but had been to the Lu'au in Sea World 12 years ago which I really enjoyed and so I wanted to experience it in Hawai'i.
I had read before leaving that the Old Lahaina Lu'au was the best but we felt the price was too expensive and decided to leave it until we got to Kauai.
I am very fond of food and found the cuisine in Gaylord's dampened down probably for mass appeal. The proportion of local dishes was very small.The choice of alcohol was very limited. The floor show was uninspiring apart from one man who really threw his heart into the dancing.
I despise the "who is celebrating an anniversary" etc but that seemed to be what is done in Hawai'i. I came away thinking I would rather not have gone.
The good point- I will probably return to Lahaina and go to the Old Lahaina Lu'au!

Budman,
I would not do the luau at the Hyatt. It reminded me of a bad Vegas lounge act/floor show. The only good part is that it was not in Vegas. I think it was called Drums of Paradise. We actually left before it was over.
We saw a great free show at shopping center in Poipu (the one where Roy's is) that was way better than the show at the Hyatt. It's on Thursday nights

"best lu`au?" is a loaded question.

Best food, or best dancing? Or best authenticity?

A traditional local lu`au -- one for the residents, not aimed at tourists -- would feature local foods and local dancers doing only Hawaiian hula (both kahiko and `auana). No dances of Tahiti or Samoa -- because this is, after all, Hawai`i. 8-)

Sadly, all of the commercial lu`au found on this island, are definitely non-traditional. Good food at most of them, but dancing will always include dances of Tahiti, Samoa, etc.

So narrowing it down from there, which lu`au have the best, most traditional foods? Smith's Tropical, the new one at the Aloha Beach Resort (right across the highway from Smith's), and the Princeville Hotel. Both the Princeville and the Aloha Beach lu`au are the smallest -- something which I prefer over the lu`au which have hundreds of guests.

Just my 2 cents worth...

Budman,
More on Smith's. We went to about 5 years ago. Since it is located near the Wailua River, you can easily coordinate the luau with an earlier boat trip to the fern grotto. (same pking lot, if I recall) That was touristy, but pretty and a fun experience. Some people rent kayaks on the river, too. (I don't think you rent them from the same place, though.)
The gardens where the Smith Luau is held feature different types of dwellings found in the different Pacific Islands, as well as lots of tropical plants. The show, as has been noted, has dancing from all the different islands. So, it may not be authentic to Hawaii, but it's really a great evening. The food is fun, but not great. Still, you get to try some native Hawaiian dishes. When we went they were selling mosquito wipes, which were definitely needed once the sun set, so take your own repellant and save a buck.

Thanks everyone for your inputs. I am definitely going to rethink all options. Since I will be staying near Smith's, that's the one I'll consider.

Orcas - boat trip sounds like fun, but mosquitos? Ouch! They love Mrs. Budman, so I guess I'm going to hear about it.

Auntie
Any local luaus 8/16-8/22. I would love to take my best friends kids to a true life lesson.

Budman, where did you decide to stay?
Auntie, like gyppielou, I too would like to experience a traditional luau. Is there a website for the newspaper that I should keep check on.
We will be there in 123 more days!! That's May 13th! Yeehaw!

iceeu2, we're staying at the new/remodeled Courtyard by Marriott that auntiemaria recommended. Arriving on the 28th of May -- Looks like we'll just miss crossing paths you.

When are you flying back? Doing a quickie trip report?

Bud...we will be in the air as you are arriving. We leave on a late night flight on the 27th, I think.

We didn't do a luau when we were on Kauai in 2003, but Smith's was recommended repeatedly.

I have problems with bugs loving me also..grief, I get to go to the Dr. for shots!!!, But, I had no problems so maybe they will love someone better than Mrs. Budman!