What is the best Luau on Maui?

[Wally3433]

Seeking recommendations for luaus on Maui.

 

[Southerngirl528]

Old Lahaina Luau is known to be the most "Hawaiian" luau in all of Hawaii. So there will be no fire dancer as that is from another area of Polynesia. This show has some wonderful history of Hawaii and hula interwoven throughout the show in a very entertaining manner.

Feast at Lele is my recommendation for couples as it is table service. Both of these luau are run by the same folks and both are beachfront locations in Lahaina. FAL is a Polynesian luau which takes you on a "tour" of Polynesia both through dance and the food courses. If folks are very picky eaters, OLL might be a better choice.

OLL is much larger and is buffet style but pre-luau there are various crafts people scattered about and they have the ceremony of lifting the pig out of the imu in-ground "oven".

There are other luau but you asked what is the "best". IMHO these 2 are the best.

 

[dioxide45]

We enjoyed Old Lahaina Luau when we were there a few years ago. We did the one at the Hyatt on our honeymoon, but I don't know if they even have it any more.

 

[planada]

LOVE LOVE LOVE The Feast at LeiLei. You wont be dissappointed. Worth the $$!

 

[amycurl]

Feast of Lele was so much better then any other luau experience., and one of the highlights of our trip


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[BocaBoy]

Feast at Lele is very good, but the Old Lahaina Luau is unquestionably the most authentic. Feast at Lele was the first luau we went to and we enjoyed it immensely. The next trip we went to the Old Lahaina Luau and it blew us away. We have been back there with guests several times since. We have not returned to Feast at Lele only because Old Lahaina Luau is so good. By the way, Feast at Lele is also considerably more expensive if that is a consideration.

 

[BocaBoy]

We enjoyed Old Lahaina Luau when we were there a few years ago. We did the one at the Hyatt on our honeymoon, but I don't know if they even have it any more.

The Hyatt still has their luau, but we have never gone to it. I think it gets decent reviews.

 

[Ken555]

Feast at Lele is very good, but the Old Lahaina Luau is unquestionably the most authentic. Feast at Lele was the first luau we went to and we enjoyed it immensely. The next trip we went to the Old Lahaina Luau and it blew us away. We have been back there with guests several times since. We have not returned to Feast at Lele only because Old Lahaina Luau is so good. By the way, Feast at Lele is also considerably more expensive if that is a consideration.

$130 vs $115. Not a huge difference after all.


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[NTP66]

We go to the Old Lahaina Luau every single time we're on Maui, and that will never, ever change. I don't think it's possible to be disappointed with them.

 

[toddc2]

We go to the Hyatt every year and love it. I always get the VIP tickets to get the preferred seating and early entry. This is a touristy production with many types of hula's and fire dancing.

I also really like the Old Lahaina Luau, but my kids found it boring when they were 7 or 8 so we never went back. The beach vibe of this production is really laid back and enjoyable.

 

[BocaBoy]

$130 vs $115. Not a huge difference after all.

I think 13% is a pretty significant difference. At $15 per person this difference can really add up.

 

[Ken555]

I think 13% is a pretty significant difference. At $15 per person this difference can really add up.

Sure, when you multiply any number by any other number (other than one or zero) it "can really add up". Would you quote percentages when discussing a $10 item vs an $11.30 item?

In any case, your original post stated that it was "considerably more" and I don't agree, given the prices involved.


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[BocaBoy]

Sure, when you multiply any number by any other number (other than one or zero) it "can really add up". Would you quote percentages when discussing a $10 item vs an $11.30 item?

In any case, your original post stated that it was "considerably more" and I don't agree, given the prices involved.


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This is not a $10 item. Geez. People here on TUG go to great lengths to save a couple bucks on a grocery store or a car frental or any number of other things. Amounts a lot less than $15/person seem significant to them.

 

[Ken555]

This is not a $10 item. Geez.

You just proved my point. Going to Maui is not a $15 per person item, either, so why post that it's "considerably more" when it's objectively not? I don't get that. Yes, it's more expensive, but not "considerably" more expensive. Everything is relative, of course.

Moving on...


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[BocaBoy]

You just proved my point. Going to Maui is not a $15 per person item, either, so why post that it's "considerably more" when it's objectively not? I don't get that. Yes, it's more expensive, but not "considerably" more expensive. Everything is relative, of course.

Moving on...


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Unbelievable! How does that prove your point?

 

[Ken555]

Unbelievable!

Really? Are we speaking the same language? I'm not trying to be dense, but you chose the words to use here...

con·sid·er·a·ble
kənˈsid(ə)rəb(ə)l/
adjective
notably large in size, amount, or extent.
"a position of considerable influence"
synonyms:sizable, substantial, appreciable, significant; More
(of a person) having merit or distinction.

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[BocaBoy]

Really? Are we speaking the same language? I'm not trying to be dense, but you chose the words to use here...




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Yes, it is in fact clearly notably larger in amount.

 

[Ken555]

This is not a $10 item. Geez. People here on TUG go to great lengths to save a couple bucks on a grocery store or a car frental or any number of other things. Amounts a lot less than $15/person seem significant to them. I guess you have limitless funds and I am glad for you.

I'm compelled to respond, but this is my final post on this issue.

There is absolutely no correlation between pointing out what is not objectively "considerably more" and having limitless funds. Some of us might spend an extra $15 per person for a different event, if it's better or somehow more valuable to us (note that I haven't spoken of the relative merit of either of these shows).


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[BocaBoy]

I never said that one should not go to Feast at Lele, I said only that it is considerably more expensive if that is a consideration. And of course, starting a spat and then running from further discussion reveals a lot.

 

[Southerngirl528]

I've been to both OLL and Feast at Lele. Been to "Feast" twice. They are both outstanding. And both not cheap. But the price is understandable with unlimited food/drink, including alcohol and the top shelf entertainment. And the settings for both are beachfront.

I have not been to other luau in Hawaii but I know there are others that folks say are quite good. IF budget is a concern, one might look at other recommendations. For me, FAL is worth that bit more when our party is all adults because it is table service all the way. But OLL is known for Hawaiian authenticity so that was our first luau in Hawaii. I would definitely do it again.

No matter which luau you choose, Wall3433, I would recommend you book early. Especially if you are going for either OLL or FAL. They assign seating accordingly to booking seniority. That said, there really is not a "bad" seat at either location IMHO.

Hawaii is the loveliest of places and the Aloha spirit is still very much alive and well there. I find if one takes plenty of time to just "be" and soak in the sweetness of the breezes, the vivid colors and drop-dead gorgeous scenery, they can almost watch their cares and stresses fall away. Ahhhhhhhh..

 

[Ken555]

I never said that one should not go to Feast at Lele, I said only that it is considerably more expensive if that is a consideration. And of course, starting a spat and then running from further discussion reveals a lot.

Oh please. I've been around long enough that you should know better. All I said was that $15 is not "considerably more" expensive, and you disagreed, and now you believe I started a "spat". Sorry, but no.


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[Ken555]

No matter which luau you choose, Wall3433, I would recommend you book early. Especially if you are going for either OLL or FAL. They assign seating accordingly to booking seniority. That said, there really is not a "bad" seat at either location IMHO.

Good advice. We tried to book a group of six at OLL this week and they are sold out every day we had available. It wasn't in the original plan for this trip, but would have been nice to go. Perhaps next time!


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[DeniseM]

My thought is that is that if you can afford $115 per person, you can afford $130 per person. I can't imagine choosing the $115 luau, just because it was $15 cheaper. IMNSHO - you should choose based on which luau appeals to you the most.

That being said, we went to a couple of luaus when we first started going to Hawaii and that was enough. It was fun a time or two, but I can't see going every year. There are better places to eat for less, and other places where you can see Hawaiian music and dancing.

 

[BocaBoy]

I wish people would read what I write instead of assuming I said something different. I simply said Feast at Lele is considerably more expensive "if that is a consideration" and never indicated that it was not outstanding or that one should not go because of the cost. But I know from other posts on TUG that a $15 per person difference would likely be significant to some people, so I pointed it out. I thought it was important to note because the most commonly recommended one is the less expensive one. I said absolutely nothing that was critical of Feast of Lele.

As for it being "considerably more expensive," I stand by my comment. I think it is interesting that the last time I went to book OLL at the tour desk at Maui Ocean Club, OLL was sold out the night of our first choice and the agent said that Feast at Lele was also very good but that is was "quite a bit more expensive." We like OLL best so we booked an alternate night for that reason.

 

[Luanne]

I agree that $15 per person could add up to be a significant amount if you are talking about a group of people. To some people it might not make a difference, to others it could. I've seen many, many posts here from folks wanting to know the "cheapest" way to do this, that or the other. So to assume that just because someone is going to Hawaii, or wants to go to a luau that they aren't watching what they spend.................:ignore: