Another Kauai Question - Luau
Jan 10th, 2005 | 06:53 AM
#21
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,559
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I have been to all the commerical luaus on Kauai multiple times, ugh! All have their pro and cons which have been discussed on this board. The food us usually pretty bad, always buffet-style, the emcee is corny, it is pricey; it is forced frivolity in my opinion. (Though I did enjoy the "down home" style luau at Tahiti Niu which we attended many times ; sadly it is no more. )
Nobody mentioned the MArriott which has a beachside luau in the summer, sometimes if we were down at Kalapaki we'd just pull up a lounge chair and watch the dancing for for free.
Our kids' high school put on a fund raising luau ever year which was fun.
Check in The Garden Island when you get to Kauai to see what local events are going on.
AuntieM mentioned the hula recital at the convention center, an annual January event. This is one long evening but it is packed with dancing and music. I always enjoyed this show tho you may be ready to jump out of your seat and silence the emcee by the time its over.
Nobody mentioned the MArriott which has a beachside luau in the summer, sometimes if we were down at Kalapaki we'd just pull up a lounge chair and watch the dancing for for free.
Our kids' high school put on a fund raising luau ever year which was fun.
Check in The Garden Island when you get to Kauai to see what local events are going on.
AuntieM mentioned the hula recital at the convention center, an annual January event. This is one long evening but it is packed with dancing and music. I always enjoyed this show tho you may be ready to jump out of your seat and silence the emcee by the time its over.
Jan 10th, 2005 | 09:32 AM
#22
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,022
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vivi:
Marriott lu`au is no more
As for the January hula performance, this is only the 2nd year for this halau -- you must be remembering another? No long-winded MC for this performance -- but the kumu hula (hula teacher) does an excellent job of educating the audience about the history of each dance.
The halau which is holding the January 23 event, pairs it with a buffet dinner (extra charge, but it includes preferred seating for the ho`ike) -- and the dancing is 90% kahiko (ancient hula) and just a smidge of `auana (modern hula).
Best of all -- it's all-Hawaiian (yay!).
Kehau Kekua is the kumu (teacher); continuing the legacy of her late grandmother, who founded this halau hula (hula school).
Marriott lu`au is no more
As for the January hula performance, this is only the 2nd year for this halau -- you must be remembering another? No long-winded MC for this performance -- but the kumu hula (hula teacher) does an excellent job of educating the audience about the history of each dance.
The halau which is holding the January 23 event, pairs it with a buffet dinner (extra charge, but it includes preferred seating for the ho`ike) -- and the dancing is 90% kahiko (ancient hula) and just a smidge of `auana (modern hula).
Best of all -- it's all-Hawaiian (yay!).
Kehau Kekua is the kumu (teacher); continuing the legacy of her late grandmother, who founded this halau hula (hula school).
Jan 10th, 2005 | 09:40 AM
#23
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,559
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Too bad the Marriott luau is pau, oceanfront setting on the lawn was a great spot. I saw a luau-in-progress there in late August, perhaps it was a special event for a convention group.
The annual hula show I am thinking of at the Convention Center that is very well done (but a marathon!) is put on Halau Hula `O Leilani. Lots of my oldneighbors dance in this halau, many times it was held on Super Bowl Sunday which made the dads grumble a lot.
The annual hula show I am thinking of at the Convention Center that is very well done (but a marathon!) is put on Halau Hula `O Leilani. Lots of my oldneighbors dance in this halau, many times it was held on Super Bowl Sunday which made the dads grumble a lot.
Mar 8th, 2005 | 08:49 AM
#25
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
I'm deciding between two luaus in Kauai, Smith and Princeville. From my understanding, Smith has a better show but Princeville serves better food? I'm gonna have to weigh it down and see which is more important to me, the food or the show?
Mar 8th, 2005 | 01:12 PM
#26
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,022
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IMHO, Princeville has the best food, great views (Hanalei Bay & ocean), mediocre show, and the smallest audience.
Smith's has those lush tropical gardens to stroll (and the peacocks), good food, good show...crowd varies from huge, to manageable.
The new Courtyard by Marriott has made changes (gotta be improvements!) to the lu`au there -- and with the talent contract having been granted to Tihati Productions (the company which does most of the lu`au shows at most of the hotels in the state), it should be a real treat.
Smith's has those lush tropical gardens to stroll (and the peacocks), good food, good show...crowd varies from huge, to manageable.
The new Courtyard by Marriott has made changes (gotta be improvements!) to the lu`au there -- and with the talent contract having been granted to Tihati Productions (the company which does most of the lu`au shows at most of the hotels in the state), it should be a real treat.
Mar 9th, 2005 | 06:16 AM
#27
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,068
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auntiemaria - some questions, please. It's been many years since I went to Smith's on Kaua'i, and a few things stand out in my mind, and I wonder if they have changed.
The stage was surrounded on three sides by the lagoon, in which there were water lilys. Once the stage lights had been on for a while, all the flowers opened up, adding to the beauty of the performance. There were many keiki performing, again which added to the beauty. But the one thing that I remember (and not fondly) was the metal benches that we sat on for the performance. Since there were no back rests on them, my bad back suffered, and I wonder if the seating is still the same? And is the stage the same as well?
Mahalo in advance for your knowledge.
The stage was surrounded on three sides by the lagoon, in which there were water lilys. Once the stage lights had been on for a while, all the flowers opened up, adding to the beauty of the performance. There were many keiki performing, again which added to the beauty. But the one thing that I remember (and not fondly) was the metal benches that we sat on for the performance. Since there were no back rests on them, my bad back suffered, and I wonder if the seating is still the same? And is the stage the same as well?
Mahalo in advance for your knowledge.
Mar 9th, 2005 | 06:29 AM
#28
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
The Princeville Luau's food was much better than I thought it would be.
The show was a bit weak, and you're sort of crammed under the tent, but if there's a beautiful sunset over bali hai it would be difficult to find a better location.
The show was a bit weak, and you're sort of crammed under the tent, but if there's a beautiful sunset over bali hai it would be difficult to find a better location.
