You’re on Maui, you must experience a traditional luau.
Planning on going to Maui? The bright, colorful traditions of hearty food and sprightly entertainment of the area is around every corner, but is reflected best by none other than the tradition of Luaus. If you are looking for things to do on Maui, you should know that a luau is a traditional Hawaiian party with eating and dancing, going back several thousand years to the times of Polynesia on the island of Hawaii.
This blog, among our series of blogs which cover what to do on your vacation to Maui, is all about Maui (We have partnered with Hawaii Activities to bring to you all the information you will need before you make the trip, with links attached so you can peruse them, get comfortable and embark on a paradisiacal vacation!
(Disclaimer: If you decide to book a trip from our website, you can enjoy a discounted package and we may get a small affiliate fee for helping you. You can book from Hawaii Activities tours directly, too.)
One of the best things to do on Maui to this day – luaus is enshrined in the history of the lifting of the ban of kapu, (which simply means royalty eating with commoners, and men eating with women) by the second King of the island of Hawaii. Luaus today nod fervently to this same glorious tradition, which during the King’s time had 271 roasted pigs, coconuts, salted fish, kalo plants and hundreds of attendees!
The best thing to do on Maui – hands down -is to attend a modern luau, which has a modernistic twist on the traditions and rituals for every tourist lucky enough to visit and score a ticket (be warned, the popular luaus sell out like hot cakes, so remember to click the link here and book one NOW!).
Ready for an incredible opportunity to plunge your neck down Polynesian tradition, dancing, and cultural music at the celebration, as well as the heaps of hearty and succulent food, luaus are a cultural phenomenon not to be missed? Not only will you feel fuller than you ever have, with feasts of poi, Kaluga pig, and the delectable, sweet haupia, you will find that this is amongst the top things you can do on Maui.
(Disclaimer: If you decide to book a trip from our website, you may enjoy a discounted package and we will get a small affiliate fee for helping you. You can book from Hawaii Activities tours directly, too.)
Old Lahaina Luau
Like the name seems to suggest, the Old Lahaina Luau is the oldest luaus on the island, going back to 1986, and formulated with the intent to pay respect to and maintain the island’s tradition. Not only does this luau showcase fully and provide a deeper insight into Hawaii’s history than other luaus – such as crossing out the common spectacle of fire dancing which, contrary to popular belief is not Hawaiian tradition – it leaves you thoroughly entertained and in a complete food coma (which is Hawaiian tradition!).
With its picturesque oceanfront views framed by the swaying coconut trees that Maui is famed for, and tiki torches that throw fiery light over your face all adds an extra sublime factor to the star of the show: the food! The founders of this luau own three of Maui’s best restaurants, namely Star Noodle, and Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop, all of which are phenomenal icons in the region, paying homage to traditional delicacies and infusing some with a modern palate.
Feel like a regent when you step into the cooling ocean breeze, watching sprightly performances with delicious refreshments taken with chilled tropical cocktails and fresh orchid lei. This luau is an extremely popular and a much-awaited event owing to the special attention you get, filling your stomach with hearty cuisine without missing out on a second of fun! To further crystallize your intent to attend this luau, here are some costs and dates!
Standard: $119 for adults and teens; $78 for children 12 and younger. Seven nights a week, June 1 to August 31: 6:15 p.m. to 9:15 p.m.; September 1 to September 30 & March 1 to May 31: 5:45 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.; October 1 to February 28th: 5:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.
Te Au Moana Luau
If you want the smell, taste and feel of the island of Maui, the Te Au Moana Luau at Wailea Beach Resort not only caters to a single pringle looking for a good time, but is the ultimate getaway for the whole family! This luau comes with a special educational and practical look into and hands-on chance to experience traditional Hawaiian rituals such as lei-making, tapa-crafting and coconut-husking.
The feast and the shows are, goes without saying, spectacular in the Hawaiian fashion- with thrilling and energetic acts such as fire-dancing being the cherry on top. Get the premium ticket with an extra 18 bucks, and dip into the buffet and front-row seats to the show before anybody else! The food consists of traditional and mouth-wateringHawaiian staples like chicken long rice, pipiko’ala (grilled beef), pork laulau (pork wrapped in taro leaf, because you should eat your greens!) in a buffet that stretches as long as can be! The modern twist of the open bar alongside the food will be delightful to anyone who likes their drinks- with friendly bartenders filling your glass with the most luxuriant alcohol the island has to offer.
Standard: $124 for adults; $79 for children; toddlers free. Preferred: $142 for adults, $89 children; $18 toddlers. Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, doors open at 4:30 p.m.
Feast at Lele
The name speaks for the game: this one is for the lovebirds departing on the best honeymoon destination anywhere. The intimate, romantic setting of the Feast at Lele brings you the beauty of tradition alongwith the tranquility of the Hawaiian sunset.
The people who run the Old Lahaina luau bring their expertise to this one as well, and this chucks out the buffet night lines and crowds to a more intimate five-course gourmet dinner under the Maui stars, with entertainment between each course! The wonderful atmosphere will make your spirits soar as you clasp hands with your loved one, with the top class entertainment between each course adding to the feeling of joy this luau brings.
The typical Hawaiian cuisine is replaced by Chef Adriana Aina’s creation of each thematic dish reflecting a different Polynesian island nation (Hawaii, Aotearoa, Tahiti, and Samoa) with every forkful of delectable Kalua pork (you won’t miss out on the pork, that part remains traditional!).The Feast at Lele is a date night times one thousand, straight out of a movie scene.
Standard:$135 for adults and teens; $98 for children. Nightly; October through January: 5:30 p.m to 8:30 p.m.; February through April & September: 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.; May through August: 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
The Drums of the Pacific at the Hyatt Regency Maui in Kaanapali Beach on West Maui also makes the list. There is an all you can eat buffet and a hosted bar. The food is amazing, and you will certainly not leave hungry. Their Polynesian show includes song, dance and chants from Hawaii, Fiji, New Zealand Samoa, Tahiti and Tonga. This is not the “traditional” luau that most people tend to think about. Polynesian shows tend to be a combination of Hawaiian and Polynesian. If you are looking for something unique, the Drums of the Pacific Luau may be a good option for you.
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Mahalo for reading this blog,
Adam and Jessica
About Us: Adam and Jessica are real estate agents on Maui. Our team is the Nine Times Network and we a licensed with Keller Williams Realty Maui. We get so many people who reach out to us with questions about moving to Maui or about what it may be like living on Maui. We created a YouTube Channel to help answer a lot of those questions. We also show you around our beautiful island and introduce you to some amazing local businesses that are worth checking out. Be sure to subscribe:
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Adam Miller R(S) 81648
808-866-6606
Jessica Miller R(S) 81811
808-866-8539
Keller Williams Realty Maui
