Lahaina Luaus

[Passepartout]

We scored a rental in Kaanapali for late May. It's an anniversary trip & I thought I'd take my bride out for pulled pork and poi. The reviews I saw for Old Lahaina Luau were good, but when I tried to book it ($125pp gulp), it is sold out until July!

Anyone have another suggestion?

Jim

 

[geist1223]

I have never been impressed by any of the Hotel Luaus on Maui. You could fly to Kaua'i for the night and go to Kilohana Plantation or Smith Family.

 

[JIMinNC]

Yes, Old Lahaina Luau is the best, but as you have learned, you must book way in advance. They do have cancellations, so keep checking, particularly the last day or two before the date you want to go.

 

[geist1223]

Different tour operators will buy up blocks of seats.

 

[rickandcindy23]

We got on the wait list and were called within a few days. Should be fine. That is actually a slow time of year for Maui, so surprising it's already booked.

 

[canesfan]

Feast of Lele. It’s a sit down versus buffet style but by the same owners. It’s well done and a beautiful sunset on the beach.


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[Passepartout]

Different tour operators will buy up blocks of seats.

I wondered about that. I will also check the concierge desk at the resort as well. Thanks!

 

[Passepartout]

Feast of Lele. It’s a sit down versus buffet style but by the same owners. It’s well done and a beautiful sunset on the beach.

Done, and done. Booked, paid, reserved. Thanks. It's a little dear, but if the show is good, it'll be worth it. There are lots of favorable reviews.

Jim

 

[Luanne]

I have never been impressed by any of the Hotel Luaus on Maui. You could fly to Kaua'i for the night and go to Kilohana Plantation or Smith Family.

Yeah, that would be cost effective.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Costco had a deal on one of the luaus, and I think it's that one.

 

[dioxide45]

Done, and done. Booked, paid, reserved. Thanks. It's a little dear, but if the show is good, it'll be worth it. There are lots of favorable reviews.

Jim

Luaus are not cheap anymore. You are paying more for the show than the food.

 

[amycurl]

Feast of Lele was AMAZING, and I can't recommend it enough!!

 

[Dean]

You're booked but for others. We did OLL this past summer and while the food and setup were good, we weren't impressed with the show. Granted it's a different type of show but neither Kim nor I really cared for it. Likely the best Luau food we've had though. We have not done Feast at Lele. Historically we've done 3 on Maui, the most recent before OLL was the Sheraton. We've also done 2 on Kauai and felt Kilohana was mid range to lower, we have not done Smith's. The best show by far was Chief's near Ko Olina. We've done the show at PCC twice but it's really a completely different setup so difficult to compare. If I had to compare I'd say second best show and second best food.

 

[Roger830]

It's my understanding that the Old Lahaina Luau doesn't have fire knife dancing, that would be a no-go for me.

We went to the Smith's on Kauai three weeks ago using the show only tickets for $15 each.
The theater is separate from the dining area. They brought us in early and we picked our own seat in the front.
There was a pond between the main stage and us, so even from the front, we were far back.
Most of the show was dull, but the fire knife dance was terrific, added some humor, and received twice as much clapping as the dancers.

We had seen the Luau show three times at the Royal Kona Resort, once from our lanai in the southern tower along with the pig roasting, and twice from the pool area.
We also went to the PCC which we enjoyed, but I thought that the food was mediocre, just needed fuel.
We also watched the show at the Royal Hawaiian from the rear of the stage on Waikiki Beach and also found that dull.

If I were to pay for a lulu other than the PCC, the Royal Kona offers the best value and was entertaining with dancing, comedy, and fire knife.
Maybe there is something similar on Maui.

 

[JIMinNC]

It's my understanding that the Old Lahaina Luau doesn't have fire knife dancing, that would be a no-go for me.

The reason is Old Lahaina Luau is produced as a traditional Hawaiian luau with hula and traditional Hawaiian music. It tells the story and legend of the Hawaiian islands. Fire dancing is more Polynesian/Samoan and the places that include it are more appropriately called Polynesian revues than a traditional Hawaiian luau. It's appeal is it's authenticity as a true Hawaiian luau, not as a Polynesian revue.

The Feast at Lele is billed as a showcase of the food, music, and dance of Hawaii, Tahiti, Tonga, and Samoa, so it does include fire dancing.