I am so bummed...We are leaving on Tuesday(July 4th) to Oahu for 4 nites, Maui-8 nites and Kauai for 5 nites, and just found out that while the Old Lahaina Luau is booked solid until Aug 7. They put me on a waiting list(not holding my breath), but does any Fodorites have any ideas how to bump yourself up to the top of that list? Any experiences with this?? I was really set on this Luau when we were on Maui (July 8-15)!!! Shhoot...I should have called earlier!!

You ought to look into Drums of the Pacific at the Hyatt. They have the best fire knife dancer on Maui.

Royal Lahaina Luau is also decent. Perhaps the best value as there are lots of coupons for this one.

I think the fire knife dancer is the best part of the entertainment at any luau. OLL does not have a fire knife dancer.

The best Polynesian entertainment in all of Hawaii is at Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu. Their evening show, 'Horizons' is by far the best show in Hawaii. Plus there is a canoe pageant, the seven villages each with their own show/demonstration and the optional Ali'i Luau.

The Old Lahaina Luau frequently gets sold out, and unfortunately, their waitlist usually never clears. So I wouldn't hold my breath either, and no getting bumped up.

You might try the Feast at LeLe http://www.feastatlele.com/
which is also produced by the same people who produce the Old Lahaina Luau.
It's a little smaller than OLL, but it does have Hawaiian, Tahitian, Maori and Samoan food and entertainment, so you'll get to see the fire knife dancers that Dusty loves.

And his suggestion of the Drums of the Pacific at the Hyatt Regency is also very good.

Ah, that's too bad. I enjoyed going to Old Lahaina Luau with my family (folks 25th wedding anniversary celebration). But I know my mom reserved it way WAY in advance. Feast of Lele is more dinner theater style, but another good suggestion. And (completely different) I also really liked U'lalena a cirque-de-soile style show at Myth & Magic Theater history of the islands thru dance, music, aerialists, etc. Lastly, you can have an inexpensive "plate lunch" meal on the patio at Aloha Mixed Plate which is right next to the grounds where the OLL is held.

We were put on the wait list a week before we wanted to go and got a call the day before that two spots had opened up for us - there is hope!! If you do book a Luau somewhere else, make sure you can cancel and get your money back. Good Luck!!

Aloha - I am jealous! But, I am heading to Maui in February 07. I have the book "Maui Revealed" and they suggest: Sorry - Old Lahaina Lu'au is #1 choice. Also suggest: Hyatt Lu'au in Kaanapali - 2nd best Lu'au in Maui. Also, Marriott and Royal Lahaina Resort. They also mention the Feast at Lele and state that it is not your typical lu'au, but is the classiest of the bunch. No pig, no waiting in lines. Each party has a private table and killer location right next to the beach with tiered tables so you can see the ocean. Food is incredible. Price is high - $99 and you must book in advance. I was in Maui in 1996 (way tooo long ago) and we did the Marriott lu'au since we were staying at the Marriott - I was entertained and had an enjoyable night. Have a great time! Aloha!

We loved the luau at the Marriott. I thought it was terrific. Sad to say, it is no more. I couldn't believe it when I heard it so I called the Marriott. The person who answered the phone said that the same people who put on their luau does the one at the Sheraton.

Talk to your concierge when you check-in. They sometimes have tickets available to them that aren't available to the public.

Thanks Fodorites and Worshippers of Hawaii! I knew I could count on you for some good advice! I did get all of the "Blue Books" for Oahu, Maui and Kauai(Revealed) and they did say hands down that the Old Lahiana was the best,
but maybe we'll settle for another Luau...I didn't understand the part about the patio next to the OLL with a plate dinner?? Do you get to see the show or hear it??

MountainGirl: I think I've seen someone mention that, while having dinner on the beach side at Aloha Mixed Plate (the name of a popular casual local restaurant that is right next to OLL), that the OLL was totally visible and hearable! So you might try that! I know they make better Mai Tais than we had at OLL!

SouthernBelle,
I hope you are right!! I'm going to check that out! I have hubby and 3 boys in tow(11,15,16), so i don't know if they will like the luaus...Ha! what am I thinking??/They have scantly clad
hawaiian girls...Of course they will like the hula part!! Ha! Anybody else been to any luaus they liked???