favorite luaus
 

what are your favorite luaus in Maui

If you really must do a luau--Old Lahaina is usually rated the best. I still feel it was one of the most wasted 3 hrs, we've ever spent but I know some really enjoy it .

not sure if it qualifies as a luau....but The Feast at Lele was fantastic! One of the highlights of our trip...

The Old Lahiana Luau SUCKS! Do waste your money! We just went in May and it was the worst luau we've ever attended. Try anything else. It was a YAWNER! No fire dancers!

All luaus are commercialized and a waste of time. That being said everyone should go once to see for themself. And the majority opinion seems to be that the Old Lahaian Luau is the best.

What happened to Jessie's Luau on Maui?
Is he still around? Is there still a luau on that site? I really enjoyed it(over 15 years ago), but I cannot get DH to go to another luau. Guess he doesn't like rum soaked pineapple!!
((d))

Rum soaked pineapple ? Maybe I have to rethink this luau thing !!

The feast at lele was a very good show , and the food was good. The hyatt where the luau is located is very nice and you can walk arround before or after show. Some hotels offer 2 for one to this show ( luau ). nick

From northwestmom <The Old Lahiana luau SUCKS!> <No fire dancers!>

First of all it's LAHAINA not Lahiana! Secondly, OLL does not have a fire dancer because 'fire dancing' is NOT Hawaiian! OLL is the only luau close to an authentic Hawaiian luau. It does not venture into dances from other origins, such as fire dancing. This is the only luau that keeps it Hawaiian and only Hawaiian.

I second the sentiments of Kolohegirl. OLL is famous for its [theatrical] authenticity.They don't do fire dancing, belly dancing, Irish dancing or square dancing. They do operate near capacity (440 people) 364 days a year, generally booking up at least 30 days in advance. Great reviews in the travel press, many quoted on OLL's web site. Great article on it in the current Hawaii magazine. Looking forward to our experience in November. Already 150 people booked ahead of us.

There is no such thing as a commercial luau that is even remotely authentic. They are all theatrical productions and nothing but. Many people enjoy them but please do not call them "authentic" luaus.

Didn't mean to offend, kolohegirl! I just didn't care for this low key luau. The one at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel on Oahu just blows this away (food and entertainment). Everyone in my group of 25 was disappointed. I know it's the luau everyone pushes on Maui and I'm sure there are alternatives that are available.

Tammy: The current issue July/August of Hawaii Magazine describes the Hula experience at OLL as painstakingly "authentic." The OLL web site contains a number of reviews of its program. Maui News, Frommer's, Fodor's and the New York Times all use the term "authentic" in the pieces quoted.
I'd like to hear exposition from someone who has been to all luaus:what
precisely is inauthentic about the OLL, why keep going to luaus after you've determined the first dozen or so are a "waste of time, and, then why recommend that anyone else go despite their being a waste (other than to waste time and money)?