I've always booked directly with owners or managers. If I read correctly, the fee is only if the traveler uses vrbo as the booking agent.

I've run into owners who didn't want checks, or to process cc themselves ( a whole new hoop to jump through, there). Wonder if PayPal would be a good option.

Count me in as another poster that finds nothing cheesy about OLL. In fact I find that shallow and a lack of respect to the performers and history of the luau. That said, I always look to see if there are any homegrown fundraiser community luaus while on island. One year we lucked out to attend Hanalei Canoe Club's fundraiser http://www.hanaleicanoeclub.org/pages/luau.php
And of course going to rehearsals of the Merry Monarch were amazing lifetime memories.

sylvia, all I know is that one of our recent rentals offered direct payment or paypal, which had about a %4 surcharge. I had vetted the owner enough to be comfortable sending her a check.

Guess that's my preference, too.

Btw, Because I hate the idea of a luau, but love the dancing, I always try to watch local groups, whether kids from dance schools or adults. There are often free performances, at least on the B.I., from Volcano to Hilo to Kona to the resort shopping centers.

hey I'm all for seeking out local events, free music and dance shows as well. Those can be wonderful if you come across them.

But that's not the same as getting tickets and going to Old Lahaina Luau which was a very memorable evening for our extended family group happened to be celebrating an milestone anniversary.