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West Maui Luaus

To help you sort through the luau choices, we recommend that you attend a luau on the side of the island where you are staying. This page lists West Maui luaus which work best for clients in Lahaina, Kaanapali, Kahana, Napili, and Kapalua.  If you are staying in Kihei, Wailea, Makena, Maalaea, Kahului, Paia, or Haiku visit our South Maui Luau page.

Show Dates:

The Wailele Polynesian Luau at the Westin Maui Resort and Spa has been designed to bring traditional and authentic dances, songs and colorful costumes to visitors to our island. Guests will embark on a vibrant and exciting journey to the Polynesian Islands where dance was considered not just as a form of entertainment, but as a means of telling stories.

Situated on the ocean side of the resort's Aloha Pavilion, the lush tropical greenery with the soothing sounds of waterfalls and a breathtaking sunset form the perfect backdrop for an evening of entertainment complemented by a delicious Hawaiian meal in an elegant setting. Executive Chef Bart Umidi and his team of highly experienced chefs have created a four course dinner that will be presented family style, just like in the olden days. There will be a free flow of drinks and cocktails such as Mai Tai, Blue Hawaiian, the signature Westin Sunset, red and white wines, beers, including Tahitian beer, sodas, and fruit juices. Sit back and enjoy the evening ... with full table service and a relaxed pace as the show unfolds in between dinner courses.

The show itself boasts the only 5-member fire knife dance performance in Maui with one of the members, Tavita, as a third generational fire knife dancer. Catch spell-binding Fiji and Maori performances with the choreography and dance moves carefully supervised by Fiji and Maori chiefs. The show will also include dances and songs from: Hawaii, Tahiti, New Zealand and Samoa – a truly authentically-presented Polynesian revue!

New for dates in 2008: A premium seating option in the first three rows of tables is available for a $15 per person upgrade fee. This guarantees you have excellent seats for the show!

First Course: Pupus (appetizers)

Ahi poke with limu, lomi lomi salmon, pipi kaula (smoked beef), dried mango, and taro chips

Second Course: Salad

Haiku salad greens, kamuela tomato, Kula onion, hearts of palm, Tahitian lime dressing, taro rolls, and butter

Third Course: Main Entree

Seared Island I'a (fish, taro leaf and ginger butter, kalua pua'a (pork), poi, fire roasted teriyaki beef, toasted sesame, Molokai sweet potato, and rice

Fourth Course: Dessert

Haupia, macademia nut tartlet, kona chocolate cake, and pineapple caramel cake

Premium open bar ... all drinks included

Beer, Mai Tais, Blue Hawaiians, Westing Sunsets, Seagram's Vodka, Tanqueray Gin, Castillo White Rum, Johnny Walker Scotch, Crown Royal Whiskey, Indigo Hills Chardonnay, Indigo Hills Merlot, sodas, juices, iced tea, milk, and a keiki (child's) signature luau drink called the "Jackson Chameleon" made with Sierra Mist and Honeydew Melon Syrup.

Editor's Review: We are so excited to offer this new luau experience to our clients! My wife and I attended on 11/1/2007 and we were astounded with the overall quality of the experience. This is a great luau for people who want something that is a step up from your classic luau buffet line. The food was absolutely impeccable and bridges the gap perfectly between the traditional "luau motif" and fine dining. The show is colorful and energetic as evidenced by the photos in the slideshow above. They aren't offering a premium up front upgrade at this time, but that isn't important here ... at maximum capacity this luau is less than HALF THE SIZE of the other luaus on Maui in terms of the number of guests per evening. The bar mixes up a great Mai Tai ... the same quality you would find at a restaurant or bar elsewhere at the resort (only you don't have to pay $9.25 a piece for them ... they're included in the price of the show.)  This luau is a tiny bit more expensive than most others, but it is very much worth the little bit extra for the quality that they deliver. Kudos to the food and beverage staff at the Westin ... this luau has raised the bar FIVE NOTCHES higher than any other on Maui!

 

Sheraton Kaanapali Sunset Luau
General Admission Reserved Seating Adults $82.56 $92.16 Children (6-12) $41.28 50.88 Infants (under 5) Free $9.60

This luau is held Monday and Wednesday evenings year-round. During summer months of June, July, and August this luau is held Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings

Experience a true paradise setting at the Sheraton's beachside luau grounds, and witness the nightly Black Rock cliff diver after he lights the torches at sunset. Enjoy a luau feast including fresh grilled steaks, Macadamia nut sautéed Mahi Mahi, and of course the Kalua pork cooked in a genuine underground oven. The Tihati cast members will lead you through an exciting and colorful presentation of the cultures of Hawaii, Tahiti, Fiji, Rarotonga, New Zealand, and Samoa, including the spectacular fire knife dance.

Premier Seating in the first two rows of tables is available for a $9.60 surcharge. We highly recommend this option. It is really nice to be able to walk into the luau grounds a few minutes before the show starts knowing that your seats are reserved for you up front! Overall this is our favorite Maui luau! 

 

Royal Lahaina Luau
General Admission Reserved Seating Adults $71.95 $86.95 Children (6-11) Free $15.00 Infants (under 5) Free FREE

This luau is typically done 7 days a week during summer; Rest of year they are closed on Saturday nights.

Children FREE (1 per paying adult; additional children are $41)

No Hawaiian vacation would be complete without attending a luau, a beachside feast and hula show, and the Royal Lahaina Luau is an excellent choice. The main course is the kalua pig, cooked all day in the underground imu oven. The all you can eat buffet also includes smoked turkey, a delicious island-style mahi mahi, grilled steak, shoyu chicken,  and a huge vegetable and salad bar. This luau is the most kid-friendly ... they even have a "keiki food bar" with hot dogs and chicken nuggets. The open bar keeps the Mai Tais flowing from the moment the gates open until the conclusion of the show, which traces the development of hula through the ages. The show concludes with a spectacular Samoan fire knife dance. This luau is also a great family value, as children under 11 are free ... one per paying adult. 

The Royal Lahaina offers a "premier seating option" up front and center. This package includes early admission to the Beachcomber VIP Lounge which opens at 4pm for an open bar and snacks. Just before the luau starts you will be escorted to your front and center stage seats. The cost of this upgrade is $15 per seat for adults and children ages 6 and older.

Buyer Caution: Our discounted rate for the Royal Lahaina Luau is 15% off the list price. There are other companies who sell this luau for less money, but every one without exception is a company that markets timeshare presentations. They use cheap luau tickets to get you in their door and then try to talk you into attending a sales presentation while you are on Maui. Our only goal is to help you have a good time while you are here. Timeshare sales is BIG business here on Maui, but one in which we've chosen not to participate.

 

Hyatt Luau - Drums of the Pacific
Our Price Adults $82.00 Teens (13-20) $51.00 Children (6-12) $39.00 Infants (5 & under) free

These rates are $10 per person off the list price. The Hyatt is raising the adult rate by $4 effective May 10th. Reservations made now for dates after May 10th will be at the new rate.

Old Lahaina Luau
Current Rate Adults $92 Children (2-12) $62 Infants  free in lap		images courtesy of old lahaina luau

PLEASE NOTE: Old Lahaina Luau no longer accepts American Express. Visa or Mastercard are required to make a reservation.

The Old Lahaina Luau will charge your credit card for your reservation at the time your order is placed

Adventuremaui.com gift certificates are not valid for the Old Lahaina Luau. This is the only current exclusion for any tours or activities featured on our websites.

The Old Lahaina Luau is certainly the most recognized name in the Maui luau scene due in part to their appearance in the Travel Channel. They are a little different than the rest of the luaus ... instead of presenting dance from all the Polynesian island groups that have contributed to Hawaiian culture, they focus on Hawaiian Hula during their show. Each guest is greeted with a fresh flower lei upon entering the luau grounds, which is a semi-realistic recreation of a seaside village. This popular luau often sells out solid more than a week in advance (even up to six weeks in advance in the summertime), and reservations before you arrive on Maui are a must. The sooner you reserve, the better your seats will be ... so make your reservation on-line today! 

One thing do need to point out to our clients ... the Old Lahaina Luau doesn't do the Samoan Fireknife dance during the show. This is a major feature at most other luaus, and for most people it's the highlight of the show. While there are many Samoans in Hawaii and they've contributed significantly to our culture, the Old Lahaina Luau had decided not to include this in their show since their emphasis is on Hawaiian hula. The Old Lahaina Luau is a very nice evening ... but we don't want you to be disappointed if you think you are going to see a firedance. 

NOTE: Your seats are normally charged directly by the Old Lahaina Luau on the night of the show when you check in. There are two types of seating available ... regular tables and chairs OR traditional seating (the first row of tables closest to the stage; you sit on a pillow and the table sits low to the ground).

 

		CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS can save $20-30 per person on your luau by booking with us compared to the price the cruise lines charge! You may even be able to get better seats by reserving premium seating or by arriving at the luau early. NCL Ships arriving in Kahului: We recommend that you attend a luau in South Maui since it is closer to Kahului. See the South Maui Luau page for more details. Ships arriving in Lahaina: All West Maui Luaus are a short cab ride (10 minutes or so) from Lahaina Harbor. Luaus end around 8:30pm so check your itinerary and make sure you have time to catch the tender back to your ship. Luaus work out fine for the first night if your ship is spending two days in Lahaina, or if your cruise ship departs at 9:30pm or later.

Activity Tips

A luau is a must-do event for the first-time Hawaii visitor. Personally, I never get tired of good food, open bar, sunset views, and Hawaiian music and dance. 

The most important thing about attending a luau is WHERE YOU SIT!!! You are much better off sitting up front at the second best luau than sitting in the back at the best luau. Read that again and let it sink in! If you are booking six months or so in advance you can get great seats at the Old Lahaina Luau. If you are ordering a few weeks before your vacation, go with PREMIER reserved seating at one of the luaus that offer that option (The Maui Prince, Wailea Marriott, and Sheraton Luau are a deal with only a $9.60pp surcharge ... the Royal Lahaina charges $15 per seat). It is really nice to be able to walk in the luau grounds a few minutes before the show starts knowing you've got great seats. It beats standing in line for an hour ahead of time, especially when you are on vacation!

The Sheraton's oceanside luau grounds have hosted a luau on Mondays and Wednesdays in 2007 and it has been very well received by our clients.  The tables are as close to the sandy beach of Kaanapali as you can get (luaus aren't actually held on the sand ... below the high water mark is public property). The Sheraton Luau includes the torch lighting and Black Rock cliff diver as part of the show. My wife and I attended this luau just after it opened and were really impressed. It's a nice setting, the show is engaging and energetic, and the food was good. This is the only luau I've attended that had a BBQ grill in the line and were cooking the steaks right on the spot. Of course they also do the traditional imu with the pig cooked in the ground. Best of all, they offer the smart people like you who are planning ahead the opportunity to get reserved seats for only $9.60 more! This luau is only offered on Monday and Wednesdays.

We are equally excited to announce the the introduction of the Wailele Polynesian Luau at the Westin Maui Resort and Spa! This is the perfect luau for people who want to experience luau cuisine but want something that is a step up from the typical luau buffet. This is the first luau we've attended where the steak literally melted in our mouths! I have often said that luaus aren't fine dining ... and most luaus are so similar that if you blindfolded me and set plates of food from 5 different luaus in front of me, I couldn't tell which plate was which. The Westin is different. Their food stands out from the rest and it IS SO GOOD it is approaching fine dining quality. This luau is also an exception to the "you gotta get up front seats" rule ... this luau is less than half the size of most other luaus and offers a more intimate setting. They are adding a premium seating option for dates in 2008, so if you really want to make sure you've got excellent seats it is worth the $15 per person upgrade. We hope they add more nights and keep up the amazing dinner and show they are now offering! WELL DONE!!!  

The Wailea Marriott offers a nice luau four nights a week. They too offer the reserved front table seating option. Their luau grounds has the best ocean view of any luau in Hawaii! Their show is brand new and features a great blend of chanting, ancient hula, and contemporary hula, and the fire dancer at this luau is ABSOLUTELY the best we've seen anywhere. He is the only person to ever win three consecutive world championships at the definitive fire knife dancing contest. This luau is so good it might be worth the drive for those of you who are staying in West Maui. I would recommend doing it in connection with an afternoon of sightseeing in the Wailea / Makena area. You can read more about this luau on our South Maui Luau Page.

The Hyatt Regency Luau at Kaanapali offers an energetic show and one thing families with teens really appreciate at this luau is that they offer a TEEN RATE (the only Maui luau that has this). It only makes sense ... a luau includes an open bar for adults over 21 ... beer, wine, Mai Tais, etc. Why should 13-20 year olds pay the same rate as adults? They do at every other luau ... but not at the Hyatt. Down side here to this luau is that you can't see the ocean at all from any table. The luau ground is almost completely surrounded by wings of the hotel, and the view of the ocean is blocked by a very tall row of shrubbery. It seems odd to be so close to the ocean that you can hear it, but to have your view intentionally blocked. We think it is to prevent people on the beach sidewalk from standing there and getting  a free view of the show.

The Royal Lahaina Luau is a good choice (and affordable) for families. They are offering a "premier seating" option with early entrance to the VIP Lounge at the Beachcomber bar ... the cost of this upgrade is $15 per seat for adults and children age 6 and older. This luau has a little more of a "local flavor" and they've done quite a grand finale with their Samoan fire dance at the end of the show. In addition to the main double fire knife dancer they also have two other kane with single fire knifes and several wahine twirling fire poi balls. It's a great photo op at the end of your evening!

The Old Lahaina Luau is certainly the best known of the luaus ... it is their "Hawaiian only" show that sets them apart. They've also done an effective job of marketing over the years, and due to numerous TV appearances on the Travel Channel, the Mac's parade, and Emeril's cooking show, you'll need to order very early if you want to get good seats.. If you decide to go to the Old Lahaina Luau, you MUST MUST MUST have reservations before you come to Maui. Consider the traditional style seating which is the very first row of tables closest to the stage. You sit on a pillow and have a table that sits down low to the ground. It's a lot like dinner in a Japanese restaurant, and your seats are right in front of the stage. This seating type isn't good for people who have back or knee problems, but if you are limber, it's fun and the view of the stage can't be beat. Use the form at the right side of this page to get the best possible seats. Traditional seating is very limited. If you prefer traditional seating but none is available for the date that you request, we will check availability for that seating type for other dates that you are on Maui and contact you to see if one of those alternate nights will fit your itinerary. If there is no traditional seating available during your entire stay, we will book you for regular tables and chairs for the date of your choice. We will also put you on the WAIT LIST for traditional seating. If any traditional seating comes available, the Old Lahaina Luau will move your seats for you. If you are ordering a luau with less than a two months remaining before your day of arrival, you are really better off getting good seats at a different luau. The Old Lahaina is just too popular and you'll likely end up sitting quite a ways from the stage.

NOTE: The Old Lahaina Luau no longer allow activity companies to discount their tickets ... if you see ANY on-line ads for this luau and the price is lower, you are looking at a website that is not being maintained regularly, or even worse ... is intentionally misleading. 

On-line Luau Reservations