How do you go about finding the right Maui Luau? Is it the performance, the food, the atmosphere? Or maybe it’s just the price. Whatever you’re looking for, this guide goes through six of Maui’s best Luaus and lays out what makes each one unique. Please read on for more details about each Luau, but here is the list:
Maui's Best Luaus
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Old Lahaina Luau
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Royal Lahaina Luau
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Drums of the Pacific
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Feast at Lele Luau
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Westin Maui Luau
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Grand Wailea Luau
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Old Lahaina Luau
Photo: Flickr
This is as close as you’ll get to an authentic luau in Maui. The Old Lahaina Luau is one of the few that’s not put on by a resort. It’s set in downtown Lahaina right in front of the ocean and near all the great shops and art galleries of Maui’s historic capital. Service here is exceptional and the seating is amphitheater style, so everyone has a great view of the stage. Guests have personal tables for their party and the front row features traditional pillow seating. The crowd is mostly adults, but the performance is still very kid-friendly. Since the production tries to be authentic as possible, it doesn’t include fire knife dancing, which isn’t native to Hawaii.
What you need to know
Reservations: Book Old Lahaina Luau
Address: 1251 Front St, Lahaina, HI 96761
Phone: (808) 667-1998
Price: $119 for adults and teens; $78 for children 12 and younger. (subject to change)
Hours: Every night 5:15 pm – 8:15 pm from October 1 to March 31; 5:45 pm – 8:45 pm from April 1 to September 30
Royal Lahaina Luau
Photo: Flickr
Though the Royal Lahaina Luau may not be the fanciest Maui Luau, it’s super kid-friendly and one of the least expensive. Adult tickets are $98 and kids tickets are $40. The food here is decent and they have a whole kids' station with chicken nuggets, mac and cheese, and hotdogs, in case kids don’t want to try the kalua pig, kalua turkey, or fresh island fish. The show runs every night so tickets are easier to get than many of the other luaus. Though they don’t offer any side activities like Lei making, you can get your family luau portrait taken.
What you need to know
Reservations: royallahainaluau.com
Address: 2780 Kekaa Dr, Lahaina, HI 96761
Phone: (866) 482-9775
Price: Adults $98; Kids $40 (subject to change)
Hours: Every night from June to August starting at 5 pm; Closed Saturday and Sunday
Aina Nalu Resort (starting at $139/night)
Drums of the Pacific
Photo: Flickr
If you’d ever imagine teenagers being excited about a luau, this is the one. The crowd is mostly families with kids, but unlike other luaus, teens will actually have fun mingling here. It’s a big production with a large audience of 700 people seated at long shared tables. Although it’s not set in front of the ocean, the show is still quite a spectacle with excellent hula dancing and Samoan fire knife dancing.
What you need to know
Reservations: maui.hyatt.com
Address: 200 Nohea Kai Dr, Kaanapali, HI 96761
Phone: (808) 667-4727
Price: $119 for adults and teens; $74 for children ages 6 to 12. (subject to change)
Hours: Weekdays starting at 5 pm from October to March 31; Starts at 5:30 pm from April 1 to September 30
Resort near Drums of the Pacific: Marriott's Maui Ocean Club - Lahaina and Napili Towers
Feast at Lele Luau
Photo: Flickr
The Feast at Lele is Maui’s most upscale luau. It makes for the perfect romantic date in front of the ocean. The food here is so good that Travel & Leisure called it the “most fabulous cooking on Maui.” Unlike almost every other luau on the island, Lele’s features a four-course meal with table service, rather than your typical buffet. It’s an intimate experience, without the crowds and absolutely no lines. The venue is set right next to the beach so you can watch the sunset over the ocean as you dine.
What you need to know
Reservations: Book Feast at Lele Luau
Address: 505 Front St, Lahaina, HI 96761
Phone: (808) 667-5353
Price: $145 for adults and teens; $98 for children (subject to change)
Hours: Every night 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm from October to January; 6 pm – 9 pm from February to April and September; 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm from May to August
Resort near Feast at Lele Luau: Aina Nalu Lahaina by Outrigger
Westin Maui Luau
Photo: Flickr
The Westin Maui Luau is also a great option for couples. It’s a smaller audience with seating at individual tables. Located right above the beach it features a colorful sunset backdrop. Not quite as expensive as Lele’s, this might be a great alternative for a romantic date with a show.
What you need to know
Reservations: email maui.concierge@westin.com or call (808) 661-2992
Address: 2365 Kaanapali Pkwy, Lahaina, HI 96761
Phone: (808) 661-2992
Price: Adults, $115; Kids 6-12, $65; Kids 5 and under, Free (subject to change)
Hours: Check website for hours and dates
Resort near the Westin Maui Luau: Maui Eldorado Kaanapali by Outrigger
Grand Wailea Luau
Photo: Flickr
The Grand Wailea Luau takes the performance to the next level, throwing in Cirque du Soleil-style acrobatics that make for an innovative take on the traditional luau. The grand finale culminates in a carefully choreographed act with five Samoan fire knife dancers. The venue is about half the size of most Ka’anapali luaus, so it’s great if you’re looking for something a little less crowded. You also get a nice view of Molokini crater in the distance.
What you need to know
Reservations: honuaula-luau.com
Address: 3850 Wailea Alanui Dr, Kihei, HI 96753
Phone: (808) 875-7710
Price: Adults, $116.67; Kids 6-12, $62.50; Kids 5 and under, Free (subject to change)
Hours: Starts at 4 pm, Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Resort near Grand Wailea Luau: Mana Kai Resort
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Photo: Maui Sunset Resort
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