My husband and I will be visiting Maui for the first time September '02. Seeking information about the Old Lahaina Luau. Is it worth the $$ and drive (we will be staying in Wailea)? Also, is it better to get a seat near the stage (traditional seating on a cushion) or at one of the tables with chairs? Any info would be appreciated.

It is absolutely worth the $$$. In fact, they say it is one of the best luaus in Hawaii. Make sure to buy your tickets far in advance because they do sell out. Go for the seats near the stage because you will have a better view of the show.

My wife and I went to the Old Lahaina Luau before it moved to it's new location. It is very good but not really better than one that is closer to you. The Outrigger Wailea Resort has an excellent luau. The OLL is nice but not worth the extra hour drive. If you want to visit Lahaina as well and make a day out of it then go. Otherwise go to the Outrigger.

I've been wondering about our Luau options in Maui. We are staying at the Outrigger Wailea Resort so I was thinking about doing that one, but the Old Lahaina seems to get more hype. What to do?

My husband and I have been to Hawaii about 5 times over the past 15 years, but went to our first luau only 2 years ago. We were staying at the Kea Lani in Wailea and made the half-hour to 40 minute drive (depends on the traffic) to the Old Lahaina. The evening was enjoyable, but remember, if you want to partake of the generous open bar that didn't skimp on the alcohol, you better have a designated driver for the trip home. The grounds are pretty; view of the stage seemed like it was good from everywhere in the audience; the show is pretty decent, doesn't have too many squirmy Lawrence Welkian moments; and you may find, like we did, that the folks you sit with, are quite fun. And yes, I would sit at a table. Would we do it again? No, but we don't regret having done it.

I hope you don't mind me jumping onto your thread, sherrie, but I have a question for all you Old Lahaina experts. I have already bought tickets for the luau while we're in Maui next month. We'll be on a cruise (RCCL - Radiance of the Seas) that docks overnight in Maui. We're not planning to rent a car, but now I'm wondering if we should. Does anyone know the approximate distance or time it takes to get from wherever in Maui the cruise ships dock to Old Lahaina?

We've been to half-dozen or so of the luaus in Hawaii. From our perspective they are all over-priced, but that is one of the things visitors to Hawaii like to do. We feel dinner at a nice restaurant, maybe one with a chef specializing in Hawaiian regional cuisine would yield more satisfaction.

The Old Lahaina Luau gets a lot of the talk. It is not better or worse than the Marriott Luau and Outrigger Wailea Luau - just a little different and more authentic in their cultural presentations. Food is about the same at all three. Some luaus bring in acts from other Pacific islands (Tahitian dancing, Samoan fire-knives, etc) while the Old Lahaina Luau tries to stick with Hawaiian performances.

The price-value relationship is better at the Polynesian Cultural Center if you combine it with their cultural villages and their night show.

I don't know where the RCCL docks in Maui. Most cruise ships go into Kahalui. If that is the case you'll need a rental car. Some cruise ships anchor off from Lahaina and tender their passengers into town. If that is your situation you may not need a rental car, although the walk will not be a short one either.

Thanks for the info. There is a luau at the Renaissance, I think. We may give that one a try since one poster mentioned having to be careful with drinking at the open bar and driving back to Wailea. Not that we are huge drinkers, but we may want to have at least one Mai Tai!! Has anyone been to the Renaissance Luau?

Hi Sherrie, If I were you I would go to the luau at the Outrigger in Wailea over the one at the Renaissance, it's a short walk to the hotel along the beach pathway and a better show IMHO. They have the 'World Champion Fire Knife Dancer' there!!! Get there a little early rather than fashionably late as the seating is on a first come first served basis and you want to sit closer to the stage I'm sure. Have a ball.