We will be in Kauai September 23 - 29; in Oahu September 29 to October 3. Is it worth the money to do a luau? If so which one would you suggest or any to stay away from? In Kauai we are staying at the Aqua Kauai Beach Resort in Lihue and in Oahu at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.

IMO, no.
We usually will see part of the show leaving or coming back from a fantastic dinner that $$ would of gone to the water downed mai tai's, mediocre buffet food..

If it was $25pp but its usually $75-100+pp + tip!

Go ziplining, hiking, St.Regis for drinks and apps at sunset..

Hilton Hawaiian Village had a free Friday night culture show that featured dance, hula, music, fire, that was put on by the same performers from the PCC... it was topped off by fireworks... the best Hawaiian food might be at the local plate stands and food shacks...

I wouldn't know how to answer the question for you.
Most times I've seen a luau in progress, they were pretty packed. So **someone** must think it's worth it.

I think, generally, you're going to find here that there's an instant rejection of anything that smacks of "touristy." Many people here like to think of themselves as sophisticated travelers who wouldn't be caught dead going to a luau, riding a gondola in Venice, going to the top of the Empire State Building, etc.

I'm not criticizing those people. Just setting you up for the common reaction. You might get lucky, however, and get a response from someone who's been to a few and is able to tell you which one is better.

I've never been to one, but my DIL used to work at the Grand Wailea, which has a luau. I think there's is about $100/pp. According to DIL, there was a decent, if not great, buffet, free drinks and of course the reasonably entertaining show, which runs about 2 hours, I think. I don't think there's a tip involved, but I could be wrong.

Is that worth $100/pp to you? I dunno. Let's say, instead, you went to the generally highly regarded Mama's Fish House for dinner. Entrees will run you about $55/pp. Drinks are $15-$20. Plus tax and tip. I think you can see you can run up a bill of $100 each pretty easily, with no show except for the sunset, which is also part of the GW's luau.

I've been to two luaus, one on Big Island and one on Kauai, once was enough. The entertainment was very good, the food not so much with a few exceptions.
Smith's Luau on Kauai has a "show only" option for $15pp if that would be of interest.

I second the recommendation for the Smith Family show only--if you decide to go. The show is very well done, but it's just not my cup of tea. I thought the food was fine--for a buffet. It's not gourmet dining, but items were tasty. (I'm not fussy.)

I've been to several luaus because I've had guests who felt a luau was "mandatory" for their first visit to Hawaii. I think most of them were bored and underwhelmed.

If money is no object -- and you are not "foodies" -- you could spring for the whole deal. But the main thing is the show -- and you can do that without eating there--but you miss seeing the pig come out of the pit.

And speaking of money ... drinks and pupus at the St. Regis are VERY expensive. But the spectacular views are free.

Songdoc, save your free views to the grassy knoll on the right of SR. We once spent a couple of hundred dollars at a prime table and had at least a dozen people squeeze by our table for a photo op of the free view. Not cool. Ruined our not free view.

Vin who are these sophisticated travelers you condemn. Ive never encountered them. You have a colorful way of misinterpreting people.

Yes I think it is worth doing once, if you've never been.

(My family went to Old Lahaina Luau on Maui, and had a blast, no tips for Kauai, sorry).

I agree that it is worth doing once. We did it on Oahu at the Hale Koa and enjoyed it and did not feel like it was a waste of money at all.

My only experience is OLL on Maui. It was a kitchy one time thing that was fun.
Went in with no expectations.

The best luaus are community fundraisers. We were fortunate to attend one in Hanalei. I've not been but would consider the Smith one.

I went to one once, over 30 years ago. Once was enough for me. The food was mediocre, I thought, and the dance show was so-so. But it is a must-do for some people.

I have experience only with the Feast of Lele on Maui, and for us it was worth it. This is the only luau on Maui with table service (no buffet).

They bring interesting, unusual dishes from different Pacific countries, accompanied by dances from those countries.

The food was good, Mai Tais were strong, wine was good also. There is a choice of non-alcoholic drinks, juices, teas, coffee.

It depends what luau you go to, obviously, but many are not "so-so" as far as the entertainment. I thought Old Lahaina was an amazing level of professionalism as far as the music and dance portion of the evening. It was superb. And the buffet was decent too. I thought it gave an excellent sampling of all the traditional foods.

Having zero experience with them on either Kauai or Oahu, I'd probably go with Smith on Kauai.

Check the local newspaper for notices of church-sponsored luaus for something more authentic.

ink: >>Vin who are these sophisticated travelers you condemn.

Alohaaaa....we have done the Luau at The Kilohana Plantation (Gaylord's) 2x...not for the food, (altho decent) but for the production of the entertainment.

It's the history of how early Polynesians came to Kauai.
Very good hulu dancers, fire twirlers, music etc all in the round. Those entertainers love their great heritage and it showed.

I heard from my local pals the luau at The Courtyard Marriott in Kapaa is pretty good and located right near the ocean.

Does Tahiti Nui still have one?

If you have never been to a Luau in Hawaii, you should go. It is worth going at least once.

Yes the Nui has a luau on Wednesdays. Haven't been but have been a bar rat other nights for entertainment.

IMVHO: There are so many local dance troups and even dance schools everywhere that put on free/inexpensive shows, it's well worth checking out where and when you can attend one.
Food? There's always good food to be enjoyed, from grilling your own fresh fish, to little poke places, to gourmet restaurants: why buy a mediocre canned experience?

Because it's fun (not a "mediocre canned experience").