Best Kauai Luau?
 

Going to Kauai this April taking all three kids ages 3, 7 and 9. We have never been to Hawaii before. The other family we are going with put me in charge of picking out the luau for us to all go to and here I am positive I won't make the right decision! I have read all the reviews I can find and it seems like Smith is a popular one but then I have read a lot of negative reviews on it. Just looking for a good fun luau with some fire dancers. I REALLY appreciate ANY advice you guys can give me. Thanks so much for taking the time to respond.

Ok how about not the best luau in Kauai just one that is ok. Should we even bother going to a luau? I thought the kids would enjoy seeing one but now I am not so sure it is a good idea.

Here are some previous posts on the subject.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34801955

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34798207

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34791426

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34776554

I think going to a luau if you have never been before is a great idea! It's just I've never been to Kauai. Smiths is the one I've heard of for that island.

Our family loved Old Lahaina Luau but it's on Maui and has no fire dancers.

I've been to two luaus and that was two too many for me. First one was on BI at King Kam hotel, second was on Kauai at Westin (now Marriott) in 1991, pre-Iniki hurricane.

Personally I would spend the money on a nice dinner elsewhere and look in some of the guidebooks for free local entertainment. We stumble across some great entertainment one time up at Kukui Grove shopping center. Another thing you can do is find out when Lelaini Rivera Bonds is performing at the Hyatt (usually in the main lobby), go and watch her show and then have dinner afterward at Tidepools restaurant. We finished this off with an after-dinner drink at Stevenson Library, all in all a great day (although with children you might have to forsake that after dinner drink, not sure if children are allowed in that venue). ANother thing, sometimes Leilani has kekei hula show which would possibly be interesting to your kids. Just a suggestion.

I've been to Smith's twice. My cousin lived on Kauai and took us there both times. The first time her daughter was dancing in the show.

What I like about Smith's is that you are at the gardens so can wander around before they uncover the pig. After the pig ceremony, you are seated. They did a hula lesson as people were in line for the buffet and let kids and adults come on stage.

After dinner you move to an amphitheater area for the main show. I liked this because you got better views than in the dining area. With kids it is great because there are built in times to move around. Hope this helps.

I guess we will probably do the luau especially for the kids. It sounds like they would really enjoy it. The Bue Hawiaan drinks (though watered down sound like fun to me!) Thank you all so much for your help. Can always count on Fodors message board for help. It is ALWAYS appreciated. Now if anyone else has some words of advice on how to do Kuaui for the first time I am all ears!? Doing all the research is half the fun and I am sure getting excited. :)

Kauai is DH's favorite island. Things we really enjoyed.

Waimea Canyon - the lookouts as well as hiking.
NaPali coast - we've done trips from Hanalei as well as Port Allen.
Snorkling - enough said.
White pineapples - the BEST! You can eat the whole thing and not even realize it.
Kileua Lighthouse - great spot.