We are staying in the Kaanapali area at the Westin and would appreciate restaurant recommendations. We also want to go to a luau with decent food and entertaining for adults and kids. Thanks!

Several of the Kaanapali Resort hotels have Luaus. I imagine that the most popular Luau is the Old Lahaina Luau on the north side of Lahaina. The food is good, and the entertainment is as well. I suppose that it would be fine for older kids, young ones would probably get bored before the after dinner show is over. I imagine that is true of most Luaus though.

Sansei in Kapalua is one of the best restaurants I've been to and it's quite affordable too!

Last Sunday we were at the OLL and I have to say that I was really disappointed. Two years ago, I was at the Grand Wailea with my company celebrating a large patent infringement settlemement and we had a private luau that was far more entertaining. I believe it was the same crew that does the Hyatt.

There are essentially two types of luaus....an authentic Hawaiian luau where there are mostly just hula. No fire, no painted faces, very little jumping/screaming. Then there is the luau that incorporates Tahitian, Samoan and Tonga which is far more my preference.

I saw how the younger kids and teenagers reacted to the OLL (snore.....yawn). You wouldn't be able to doze off at the other type.

It's simply a matter of preference. I plan on going to the Feast at LeLe in Lahaina on our next trip. Unless I want to nap at the OLL ;-)

Yep, if the beautiful art of hula bores you, it's best to stay away from OLL. We enjoyed the setting; walking around talking to the craftsmen and the revered aunties before the show. There's a reason it has won awards for being the most authentic luau. Our seven year old enjoyed it very much.

Drums of the Pacific at the Hyatt has an excellent fire knife dancer.

Old Lahaina Luau may be a good luau, but it does not have a fire knife dancer. To me the fire knife dancer is the highlite of any Polynesian show.

Good site for maps & restaurants:

www.driveguidemagazines.com

www.mauihawaii.org Great site for anything on Maui including restaurants

www.visitmaui.com

We liked the luau at the Marriott, particularly the refillable maitai in the pineapple. .

The Royal Hawaiian Luau was awesome.
It came highly recommended by the concierge at our hotel in Kapalua.
We were not dissappointed in the least.

tcapp - a slight correction: the Royal Hawaiian Luau is on Oahu.
The Royal Lahaina Luau is on Maui.
Big Difference
Personally, I don't care for the Royal Lahaina Luau; I think the Hyatt Regency's Drums of the Pacific is better. I like the OLL the best, but some people like all the other islands' cultures combined.