My wife and I are going to Oahu (3 nights) and Big Island (4 nights) next week for the first time. Good luau, resturants to go to?
Any helpful tips?
Many thanks

We just got back on Friday from Oahu.. Loved it...You gotta drive to the eastcoast..play in the waves at Sandy Beach...Their HUGE.....Waimanela and Waimea are also very beautiful...Go to Dukes for Dinner...Pricey but memorable..You may even catch a sunset if they seat you in the right spot...Have a great time...we did.
Aloha!
John

You'll find luaus in general to be expensive for what you get. However, if you still want to go we enjoy the luau at the Polynesian Cultural Center more than the others. We looked for a good luau on the Big Island but didn't find any. Some of the big island resorts may offer a luau that they allow outside guests to come to.

Restaurants on Oahu we enjoy are Sam Choy's, Alan Wong, and Todai.

Oahu and Hawaii are my 2 favorite islands ... try Kona Village's luau (I think they only have it Friday nights), it's a splurge but well worth it - it's the best I've been to. I like Sammy Choy's too in Waikiki.

Hi Michael,
Spent 10 days on the Big Island in October. Some of the best restuarants we ate in were:
1. Canoe House
2. Four Seasons
3. Roys
4. Huggos
All were fabulous and pricey.. but very worth it! Have fun and enjoy!

If you want to try Hawaiian food on Oahu without going to a luau, check out the Wednesday night Hawaiian buffet at the Parc Cafe (inside the Waikiki Parc hotel right behind the Halekulani). Don't let the buffet concept scare you, this is gourmet level - their ahi poke is some of the freshest I've ever tasted. They also have a Hawaiian lunch buffet one day a week (can't remember which day) if you can't make the dinner on Wednesday. You'll find the same food you would get at a luau only 10 times better. The only downside to the restaurant is the city street location (no views).

Duke's in Waikiki is great for oceanfront atmosphere but the food is hit or miss.

Sam Choy's is good too - both the Kapahulu(?) Ave one in Waikiki and the Breakfast, Lunch, and Crab on Nimitz Hwy near the airport.

Hope this helps.

on the big island definitely go to the Canoe House and Roys and the Restaurant in the Four Seasons.

On Oahu, Roys.
On the Big Island, Merriman's.

Kodak has been sponsoring a free hula show on Oahu at the Waikiki Shell on the Diamond Head end of Waikiki beach since 1937! It's not a luau, but a great way to see the authentic hula performed without paying $100 per person to drink bad punch. Also, the dancers and musicians performing at the House Without A Key at the Halekulani are worth seeing, especially at sunset with a mai tai in hand. Enjoy!

Another place to see free hula on Oahu is every evening between 6:30pm and 7:30pm right on Kuhio beach in Waikiki. And don't miss Kanoe Miller performing hula at the House Without a Key (she performs 6 nights a week from 6:00pm to 8:00pm). If you're interested in more of a polynesian revue than traditional hula, you can check out the Friday night show at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, get there early for poolside seating (there is a $6.00 minimum drink charge for this one).