Hi,

My boyfriend and I are headed to Maui and Kauai this X-mas, but we would also like to do a one night trip to Oahu. I wanted to see the different luaus on all the islands. Please help me decide on one for each island.

I wanted to try either the Hyatt or Marriott luau in Maui. In Kauai I am thinking Cocunut Grove or Hyatt. I am not sure about Oahu, though. I was thinking about the Polynesian Cultural Center Luau, but there are different luau categories for the Polynesian Cultural Center in Oahu. The most expensive option includes visiting all the villages. Is it worthwhile? Which one would you recommend?

I know there is not much night life in Kauai, but I am looking for some night life in Maui and Oahu. My boyfriend and I are in our late twenties. We are used to clubs and nightspots in SF, LA, and NY, but we are also interested in local and authentic entertainment as well. Any suggestions? And what do you think about the Don Ho Show? Are we too young to get his jokes?

I am definitely going to Warren and Annabelle's because of all the raving reviews from this posting.

Thanks,
Lucy

Lucy,

Yours is a frequent question on this site and if you'll do a Fodors archive search you'll get a lot of opinion.

In general, I feel luaus are overpriced and you are better off having a nice dinner at a fine-dining restaurant. However, here is my opinion, for what it is worth.

I don't think any of the luas on Kauai stand out. The Hyatt luau is standard with what you'll find at most of the luaus statewide. I wouldn't stay at the Hyatt, though. Their rooms are over-priced.

On Oahu I like the luau at the Polynesian Cultural Center, whether you combine it with other activities there or not. The best value for your money is to make a day of it. The luau only is around $45 vs. $69 or so for much the same thing at Paradise Cove or Germaines. An all-day pass with luau and night show at the Polynesian Center will run around $69. I think the different prices at the Poly Center correlate with the quality of your seating at the night show, not the food.

On Maui we have been to the Old Lahaina, The Feast of Lele, and the Marriott luau. Each have their strong points. We think all three are pricey but give the edge to Old Lahaina because of their location. The Old Lahaina show and food are just average, though.

Remember, the luas are feeding hundreds of people every night so it is like a mass buffet. If you start with low expectations on the food and find your satisfaction in the performers and setting you'll enjoy your evening more.

The Don Ho Show is definitely not worth it. We saw it in 1995. He is a rambling, near-senile old man that talked more than sang. He brought his young daughter up to do a few songs too. If I remember, it was like $30 each for the show & one comp drink. Extra if you wanted to eat. We didn't eat there but saw the stuff others were eating. Looked bad.

WE went to the Hyatt luau last week and enjoyed it. My husband particulary liked the teriyaki steak that they grilled right there, pretty good food for a large crowd.

i forgot to say that the hyatt luau was at maui. barbara

Poor old Don Ho. I saw him in 1966 on my honeymoon in Hawaii. Why doesn't the man retire? Saw him again about 15 years ago and he was going downhill then. Too many Mai Tais????

Aloha,The best luau on Oahu IMHO is @ the Polynesian Cultural Center it is well done and all the villages/shows are authentic.I remember Don Ho many moons ago when he was in his prime, he should retire.There is a club in Honolulu called Ocean's that is popular 21+ crowd. Also might want to check out Kapono's in Aloha Tower Markerplace.

I like the Feast of Lele bec. its more intimate. It's the same production as Old Lahaina Luau. Feast of Lele is 150 people with assigned seating and they serve gourmet food to your table.

Here's the website://www.feastatlele.com/. It's more romantic because you have your own private table. The others you have to seat with other people. The food at FOL has more quality, better drinks and great presentation. The others are for 350 people or more. Call ahead to get the best front seats. Enjoy!

Luaus tend to be very similar - you might want to just pick one and call it good. The Old Lahania Luau on Maui is consistently good and generally well regarded (e.g. by other posters on this board, guidebooks, etc.). Honestly, once you've seen one luau you've pretty much covered all that the luau experience has to offer (the shows are similar, the foods are similar, the drinks are similar, the surroundings are similar.....)

Regarding Oahu night life: the W hotel bar has great music (DJ) on Friday nights (Saturday is really quiet), also Oceans (23 and over, in Restaurant Row), the Mai Tai bar on the top floor of the Ala Moana mall, Wave Waikiki, amoung others. Digital City lists bars - you can access the guide on-line.

One luau per lifetime is plenty !!

Here's another vote for the Polynesian Cultural Center, including luau and their evening dancing show.

Went to the Old Lahaina Luau and really enjoyed the setting and the dancing but must admit the food was awful! I went away hungry as did my kids!

The old Lahaina Luau is very good.The food was ok,but the show was very good.If you drink the mai tai's just keep flowing!

Lucy, save yourself! Do not go to a luau! The food is awful & the entertainment is sooooo boring! The first time my husband & I went to Hawaii, about 12 years ago on our honeymoon, we went to one on Maui & were so dissappointed. Then, we went to the Big Island last year for my husband's annual company meeting at the Orchid & went to another luau, hoping it would be better. Guess what? It was worse. The hotel was absolutely gorgeous, but I would have opted for a nice dinner & dancing instead of being bored & sampling really bad food. Even the hotel staff was talking about how much luaus are so overrated & they wish that they would do away with them! But, if you have never been to Hawaii, then experience at least one just so you can say that you've been to one, but don't do one on every island. Have fun in Hawaii!

Doing a luau on every island would be complete torture for most people. I agree that one luau is enough. But for some reason some people just love the damn tacky things.

One Luau is enough I would go with the Old Lahaina luau or none at all. These are very commercial gatherings not a true taste of the culture. Old Lahaina has received awards for stepping outside of the commercialism. You also might want to taste Hawaiian food before hand, I love it but I have introduced it to people who can't stand the smell of it (Lau Lau and taro)(I EAT IT FOR BREAKFAST). You are really paying for the entertainment at these events.

We are 30 and went to Maui and Kauai last year. We went to the Old Lahaina Luau in Maui and really enjoyed it - I do think you should go to a Luau in Hawaii. We also did one in Kauai called the Kauai Coconut Beach Luau but is wasn't half as good as Old Lahaina. Regarding nightlife, on Maui there are a few places in Lahaina and there is a disco at the Grand Wailea. Hula Grill at Whaler's village also had music and a fun bar. The nighlife seemed to be at it's peak at 9 pm - it's an early town so go to Happy hour and then straight out! On Kauai, there is a place called Stevenson's Library at the Hyatt that has music and was fun. Also, Duke's in Kauai (at the Marriott) Have a great time!

Don't go to the Marriott Luau on Kaanapali Beach - drinks were laughable, MC boring, dancers BAD, food so-so but then most mainland Americans are not going to think much of luau food. The best ones in my opinion: Polynesian Cultural Ctr (but with one night in Oahu, you wouldn't want to spend it there!) and the one at the Outrigger Waikoloa on the Big Island! They're all overpriced but do one once - and if on Maui, I'd do the Old Lahaina one! Have fun!

Lucy,
Don't go to the Marriott luau, it was terrible. Water down drinks, not great food and just an ok. show. Go to the Old Lahina luau. One luau should be enough, they are all very similar. Have fun.
lin

We are spending three nights on Oahu in August and will spend most of one day at the Polynesian Cultural Center. I have looked at their website (and have been shocked at the high prices, but it looks as though everything is high priced in Hawaii).

My point is that it appears that there are three levels of quality of food, each one also corresponding to a seating area at the show. I was previously complaining to my husband that $69 (or whatever it was) was too expensive, and now I want to get the $100+ ticket in order to get the best food AND the best seats at the program. Is it worth it to sit closer? For the food? Any experience, anyone?

I agree with some of the opinions expressed above. A luau on each island is too much of the same thing. The two that have won awards for their authentic presentation of Hawaiian culture are the Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu and the Old Lahaina Luau on Maui. Pick one of the two and skip all of the rest.

Diane, deciding whether to upgrade yourself to a better package at the Polynesian Cultural Center should be based on your seating at their evening show and not on their food. The food is slightly different among the three packages but the big difference is how close you are to the stage at the show.