Luaus on Maui & Kauai - Tourist traps?
 

We've been reading about several of the luaus on the forum and have checked them out on their web pages. I get the impression that the food is often mediocre, the shows so-so, and the price too high for the value. I'd really like to hear from anyone who thinks otherwise. Thanks in advance.

HUGE tourist traps and not worth the money, imho.
Spend that money on a nice dinner on the water with good food and drink.
They usually run $75-100 per person and you can have 2-3 nice dinners for that with cocktails at great restaurants!

It is a Hawaiian activity that is fun for a change and I think worth doing. Our family enjoys the evening when we are all together outdoors with the music and dancing.

Your mileage may vary.

I *loved* the Old Lahaina Luau. My family went to celebrate an anniversary of my parents (10 of us, all adults). The setting is absolutely stunning, good drinks, the buffet was very nice (I thought the food was fine), the entertainment was excellent. We all enjoyed it and felt it was well worth the money.

Is it for "tourists". Yes it is. Is it a "trap"... not in my opinion.

The one luau with excellent and creative food is the Feast At LeLe on Maui. IMO the entertainment is also excellent there, as is the setting on the beach at sunset. It's quite a heavenly experience. Cost $100-120. But includes all the tropical drinks you can drink.

We went once, many moons ago, and thought it was an awful trap: lousy food, watered down drinks, same old-same old show, forced Aloha. Not worth it, IMHO. But, as you see, some people enjoyed their experiences. I would spend my vacation $$ on a fantastic meal instead, but this is me..

exactly anna roz!
with the average cost of around $125 pp @$250 for two and take that in Maui and go to breakfast at the 5* Plantation House in Kapalua for breakfast with ahi benedict and drinks..for two $40 including tip..
Hula Grill for drinks and app's oceanfront in Ka'anapali $50 for two.
Kimo's for dinner in Lahaina $100 for dinner and drinks with tip for two.
Make a run to Costco for fresh pineapple juice, ahi, and vodka with a case of beer..$60..
There is your $250 with money well spent at great restaurants in Maui vs. some super bad luau..plus I always get comped from the resorts for the luau!
Tons of free hula lessons at all the big resorts.

To me the Luau is the biggest waste of time and money in Hawaii. You are correct that the food and drinks are mediocre at best and I never felt it was a true Hawaiian experience.

I don't see how people can generalize about ALL luaus in ALL of Hawaii.

The Old Lahaina Luau most certainly does not have watered down drinks or mediocre food nor was it the "same old show". This is not solely about MY perception or enjoyment... some luaus are just better than others.

I agree with the suggestion for Feast of Lele if you'd like more a dinner-theater type setting.

I think it totally depends what you're looking for. Luau are generally expensive, though some would say that it's a "must-do" Hawaiian experience, and worth the money. If you've never been to a luau, I'd recommend it... it's a good taste of Hawaiian/Polynesian history, folklore, and dance. While the food might not be on par with what you'd get for the same price in a nice restaurant, remember that you're paying for the show as well. Many luau have unlimited buffet eating, arts and crafts for sale before the luau, beautiful grounds to walk around, fire dancers, and are a great bet for groups or children.

If you have already been to a luau, then it might not be worth your time or money to go again. That said, I have been to 3 or 4 on various islands and still always enjoy the show.

On Maui our top choice for luau is the Old Lahaina Luau. It was the first luau I ever attended, and I really enjoyed it.

On Kauai, check out Smith's Tropical Paradise or Luau Kalamaku. Smith's is on a beautiful stretch of land, and I think you can purchase "show only" tickets for a good price (but you miss out on the feast, which is what luau are all about). Luau Kalamaku (on Kilohana Plantation) is more theatrical than traditional... a good bet if it's not your first luau (though also great for first timers).

Luau Kalamaku and I'm pretty sure Old Lahaina Luau also have an open bar, versus the standard cash bar after one or two complimentary drinks that many other luau offer.

We didn't go to a Luau on Kauai or Maui, but did attend the luau at the Royal Kona in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island. We actually really enjoyed it, though its clearly a touristy thing to do. The buffet was decent, if not outstanding, most of the food was tasty and there was plenty to choose from. The Mai Tai's were served froma large punch bowl, but there was a bartender offering a rum float, making them quite potent and not watered down and were unlimited (with surprisingly little line to go back and get another). The dancing was quite good. And the part of the evening where they brought tourists up on stage to teach them the hula was blissfully short. That part where they try to embarass heavy guys is the thing I was dreading, but this was low key and pretty fun. We enjoyed chatting with the other guests at our table too. I liked it, and I was glad we went. I can also now say poi is gross, and do so with authority :)

When I discussed with my husband if we should go to one, I told him I was researching to find one that was not too touristy and tacky. And his response was "then, what's the point?". So if you go, go with your expectations set appropriately and it will be fun.

Drums of the Pacific at Hyatt has the best fire knife dancer on Maui.

The luaus with a fire knife dancer are far more entertaining than those that don't have one.

Old Lahaina Luau has a great location & has a decent show, but no fire knife dancer.

I've read that about 50% of visitors to Hawaii attend luaus.

Am I correct in assuming that all the negative experiences folks have had with luaus are from those who did not go the the Feast at Lele?

Maybe a tourist trap but we enjoyed it. We went to the Old Lahaina Luau. I think we'd go to a different one if we were to go back (hopefully for our tenth anniversary).