Visiting Wakiki in February and we're interested in a luau or maybe a more authentic, less commercial Hawaiian experience with food and music.

JKM, we're going to Oah'u next week. We have reservations for Germaine's luau and I've heard it's a traditional luau, not a commercial one. Check out this website. www.oahu-hawaii-luau.com. It should be pretty helpful. I'll let you know more when I get back on November 1!

Oh yes, Germaine's is definitely a "commercial" lu`au...as identified by the fact that it charges a fee, is open to the general public, and performances include dances other than the hula.

A traditional lu`au in the islands is held as a celebration -- be it wedding, birthday, anniversary or whatever. It's by invitation only (sometimes including an entire town, though!) with food usually provided "pot luck". Music is always included, with dancing typically done by those attending the lu`au.

And unless the party is being thrown by a Tahitian, Samoan or Tongan family, the only dancing you'll see is real Hawaiian hula.

If you're lucky, the local paper will let you know of a community lu`au -- often held as fundraisers for halau hula (hula schools), canoe clubs, churches and schools. These are great fun, and open to the public for usually $20 or so.

Since Germaine's is considered commercial because it charges a fee, how is it any different from the ones you're talking about for $20? Plus, you're telling me that unless you're invited to a "lu'au", you won't see a traditional one?

You're right -- my post was not as clear as it could have been. So...

"commercial" -- you'll be surrounded by other tourists like you; the admission fee will be in the $60-$90 range per person; all of the entertainers will be paid professionals.

"local traditional" -- as stated, you'll often find a fundraiser lu`au advertised in local papers; public always welcome; admission fee typically $20 or so per person; entertainers typically will be local amateurs donating their time & talent.

you may want to check out the
Pearlridge Shopping Center in AIEA
JUST down the road from the Aloha
Stadium.
What might interest you is they have
local hula halaus. doing both
kahiko (ancient traditional hula)
and auana the modern style.
Have fun on the 'aina of O'ahu!