Luau in BIg Island
 

Everyone told us to attend atleast one Luau while on the BI. We will be staying in the Sheraton and at Outrigger during our stay on the Kona side. The Sheraton has a Luau, but i could not get a review on it as yet. For all of you who have attended a luau, which one will you recommend? I will be having a 6yr old and a 1yr old with me.
Thanks!

We did the one at King Kam. hotel in downtown Kona and it was fine. I would not recommend a luau with small children. It is buffet style food, and they may not like the food, and there is no kids menu. Also, the entertainment is not geared towards kids (dancing, singing) and it lasted pretty late into the evening.

As Christie said, the first step is to leave your kids at home -- especially the 1-year old. In fact many luaus have age restrictions and don't allow kids under 5.

If you don't mind a very touristy luau, the one at Royal Kona Resort will be closest to you. If you're willing to drive a bit, better luaus can be found at Kona Village and the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel (the hotel itself is currently closed, but its luaus are still running every Tuesday).

I haven't been to a luau on the BI - so others can help w/ recs. But I do agree about the kids. I'd get a baby sitter and go w/o them, or I'd probably forget about a luau. Especially for the 1 yo. But since you'd have to get a sitter anyway - the 6 yo should also stay back at the hotel.

OK, That doesnot sound good to me. So far, I read that kids enjoy luau. I was not sure of the one yr old though. But people who came back from Hawaii told me that there were lot of kids attending luaus too. Now I have to rethink everything.

I saw the Kona Village luau. It was very authentic and the food was excellent.

flyingmaltese, did u see kids there at the luau?

We went to the Royal Kona luau two years ago with our 11 and 3 year old girls. The three year old had a long day with no nap and although she did okay for the early part of the evening, we had to take turns juggling her while we ate and she could not sit through the show much at all. My husband and I agreed that we should have let our older girl go with Grandma and we should have stayed home or done something else. The food was decent, show average, 3 year old was free and I got coupons for the rest of us. The minute we got in the car to go to the condo, the three year old was unconcious. So if I had to choose, I would not do it again. She is going on six now and I might take her now.

I've only been to the OLL on Maui and the Polynesian on Oahu. If it was me, I'd take no one younger than about 8 yr. old, but that's just me.

oregonmom, thanks for writing. where did u get coupons for the luau? i am still undecided if we should book the luau or a cruise (since this one is shorter) but if i go to a luau and have to come back mid-way, I might as well have some coupons in hand!

I googled the luau and there were some online booking places that offered free child with paid adult, so I booked through them. Grandma got the senior rate and she's under 65.

Sorry for the late reply. I've been bedridden with morning sickness.

There were children at the luau. But, the luau is included in your stay at the Kona Village, and there are always many families with children staying at this resort.

we decided not to stay at kona resort. the resort is going thru renovations and there is a lot of painting, scraping and construction going on right now. my elder son is asthmatic and we try to keep him away from places which might have dust or odor of paint. but i think we might choose the luau at that hotel, since it comes in most recommended.