We are going back to Maui for our 10 year anniversary in October! We have been to Maui a number of times but have not been to a luau and are considering one this time around. We will be staying at the Hyatt in Kaanapali. I've heard that Old Lahaina Luau is one of the best but considering that we are staying at the Hyatt and want to be able to celebrate & enjoy cocktails, we are considering Drums of the Pacific (ie .. no driving or even parking to worry about).

I think they are both buffets? Can anyone confirm? Also - are they both open bar? I read about some luau's having a specific # of drink tickets?

ps.. on a separate note, is the Maui Ocean Center worth going to? We are looking to do things we have not done before and this is one of them! I will also try surfing for the 1st time! And has anybody visited Surfing Goat Dairy?!

Would love any recs & info, mahalo!

we went to the Feast of LeLe for our 30th anniversary, 7 years ago. It was awesome. They served several different courses, each one from a different island. I have nothing to compare it to but it was great.

Pick one with a fire knife dancer. They are more entertaining.

Feast at Lele is excellent.

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

OLL does not have a fire knife dancer.

Feast at Lele would be my pick - excellent food for a luau - no limit on alcoholic drinks - they suggest a special drink with each course. Here's what I said after my visit:

"
Feast at Lele, Lahaina - we had been to the Old Lahaina Luau previously and knew that is regarded as the best and most authentic luau in Hawai’i but we weren’t that impressed by the food so this time we went to the Feast at Lele. (O.K. I know the fire twirling isn’t indigenous to Hawai’i but neither are condos, rental cars, and restaurants and most of us enjoy them, anyway.) I had heard that the amounts on the food was skimpy - but I did not feel that way. Considering the number of courses the food for each course no one could go away hungry! They present dances from Hawai’i, Aotearoa, Tahiti, and Samoa and with each dance a near plate of food is brought to you. (Not a buffet.) They prepared special food for our vegetarian. The food was much much better than the Old Lahaina Luau - just about as good as any you’ll find at a restaurant. This feast is also a treat for those who want to have a variety of drinks - each course has suggested quality drinks - all included. While I might not use the funds to return, I would encourage anyone who wants great food with their luau-type experience to go to the Feast at Lele."

Here's a link to Maui photos - some Feast photos included:
Here’s link to Shutterfly for photographs: http://tinyurl.com/2cco7f (Note you don’t have to register to Shutterfly, just click on “View Pictures”)

We went to Old Lahaina and it was a wonderful evening. Yes it is buffet (very good) and open bar (I don't remember drink tickets). I definitely had many maitais between arrival and up until dinner started. The grounds and setting are beautiful and show spectacular.

All that said if you have a luau option available at your own resort, I can see the appeal of doing that one instead.

Been to just about every luau on Maui. Would NOT go back to Feast at Lele. The meal consists of predetermined items, the portions were small, and about half the courses were not tasty. If you are a picky eater in the slightest, I would not recommend.

"Drums" at Hyatt was fun; we have been twice. The buffet is really good, traditional Hawaiian. The bar leaves a bit to be desired, but there are not tickets, just tipping. They will bring Mai Tais to the table, but don't expect any premium alcohol. You may be able to get a discount on the show too, since you are staying there.

"O.L.L." is considered the best. Buffet also...great food. They have open bar with premium alcohol; don't remember drink tickets. Just expect to pay a premium price...I think it's about $90 for adults.

The Maui Ocean Center in nice. They have some really neat exhibits and ocean life you won't see at other aquariums. I think we paid about $20/person last fall????

We went to the Hyatt luau in Mach when my MIL visited. She chose it because she got 50% tickets, and I am thinking that even then she spent too much. The food was average banquet food, the tables were long rows of way too close together, and the show was really cheesy. Doubtful I would go there again, even with the 50% discount.

I've been to the OLL several times and enjoy it each time. Last year we stayed at the Westin for a weekend and did the OLL. We took the shuttle down to the luau and then caught one of the many cabs waiting when the show ends back up the Ka`anapali. The fare was maybe ten bucks.

In comparison, the drinks and food at the OLL are worlds above the Hyatt. OLL has much more from which to choose, including some very Hawaiian items, like pokes, pohole fern salad, laulau. Each time I have been to OLL the servers were always there with a new tray of drinks. At the Hyatt I had to walk to the bar to get drinks, where they large trays of drinks obviously made much earier, with lots of melted ice. No comparison.

MOC is a nice way to spend a few hours. We go at least once a year. It is a nice way to finish out the day, maybe after an earlier activity. It is not a huge place, but it does recrete the Hawaiian reef. It is a great place to go before you go snorkeling, so you know what to look for when in the water.