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.
The Wailele
Polynesian Luau at the Westin
Maui Resort and Spa
Current Rates: $105 Adults, $65 children (ages 5-12) a premium seating option is also available for $20 per adult and $15 per child.
- Vibrant dances from throughout Polynesia
- Maui's largest, most extreme fire knife dance troupe
- Delicious luau cuisine with full table
service
- Premium open bar
- Intimate oceanfront setting
Jan. to March 2012: |
Shows
held every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday evening. Also added Wednesday shows on 3/21/2012 and 3/28/2012. No show on Sunday 1/1/2012, Sunday 1/22/2012, or Tuesday 2/14/2012 |
April to August 2012: |
Shows
held every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday evening. Some Wednesday shows will be added during the summer. |
Sept. to Dec. 2012: |
Shows
held every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday evening. |
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 largest fire knife dance performance in Maui (usually 4 or 5 performers) 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!
A premium seating option in the first three
rows of tables is available for an upgrade fee ... this guarantees you have excellent seats for the show! Premium seating guests also can take advantage of the premium lounge that opens at 5:15pm and avoid waiting in the general admission line.
First
Course: Pupus (appetizers)
Ahi
poke with limu, Maui Gold pineapple, guava glazed chicken wings, 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!
WPL / R
Royal
Lahaina Luau |
|
|
General
Admission
|
Reserved
Seating
|
| Adults |
|
$84.00 |
$99.00 |
| Children
(6-11) |
|
Free |
$15.00 |
| Infants
(under 5) |
|
Free |
FREE |
|
|
|
Jan. through May: |
Sunday through Friday (closed Saturdays) |
June, July, August: |
Shows held 7 days a week. |
Sept. through Dec.: |
Sunday through Friday (closed Saturdays). |
Children
FREE (1 per paying adult; additional children are $49)
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.
RLL / V
Hyatt Luau -
Drums of the Pacific |
|
|
Our
Price |
| Adults |
|
$95.00 |
| Teens
(13-20) |
|
$51.00 |
| Children
(6-12) |
|
$39.00 |
| Infants
(5 & under) |
|
free |
|
|
|
|
These general admission
rates are $10 per person off the list price. Luau rate for Thanksgiving is $15 more per adult. New Year's Eve has TWO shows. The regular sunset show is priced normally, but the "Ring In the New Year" show from 9pm-12:01am is $196 for prefered seating and $156 for general admission. To book this special show, please call us toll-free at 1.877.678.7333
NEW! Preferred seating luau upgrade is available for $15 per person. The upgrade charge applies to all preferred seats, even infants who are otherwise free at the luau. Preferred seating is the center section and second row of tables, which is the best seats you can get without being a "VIP" of the Hyatt.
Current Special: One free child per two paying adults! Free children special is available in general seating only. Free child not offered on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Eve.
Hyatt Luau held Monday through Saturday all year (closed Sundays). Luau held 7 days a week from 6/1/12 to 8/31/12.
The sound of the conch, the beating of the drums and the
echoes of the Hawaiian chant signal the start of Hawaii's most
exciting luau … complete with an authentic imu ceremony and
the exotic flavors of native Hawaiian cuisine. While you enjoy
the tastes of Hawaii, the Drums of the Pacific Polynesian
Spectacular (a Tihati Production) takes you on a journey
through the islands of Polynesia. Featured are authentic
dances and music of the old Hawaii, Samoa, Fiji, New Zealand,
Tahiti, Tonga, and Rarotonga in the hottest luau show in the
Islands!
Guests are greeted with a flower lei for the ladies and a
shell lei for the gentlemen. Your evening begins with Hawaiian
music and audience participation featuring hula lessons, poi
ball lessons, coconut tree climbing, coconut husking and
finally the unearthing of the pig that’s been cooked in an
underground oven.
An all-you-can-eat generous buffet features the Kalua Pork,
Huli Huli Chicken, Mahi Mahi, Ulupalakua Beef, Polynesian
Rice, Baked Kula Potatoes, Baked Hawaiian Sweet Potatoes,
Vegetables Makamaka, Tropical Fruits Anuenue, Soba Noodles,
Roasted Wedges of Maui Onions, Lomi Lomi Salmon, Pacific Ahi
Poke, Tossed Green Salad, Kim Chee and Poi (taro). The lavish
dessert bar features Macadamia Nut Lu'au Cream Pie, Haupia
with Toasted Coconut, Pineapple Cake and Bread Pudding. An
open bar for beer, wine, Mai Tais, and other mixed drinks is
included. It's a great Hawaiian Lu'au Feast.
NEW in the summer of 2010 is a PREFERRED seating option! Preferred seats are in the center of the luau grounds in the second row of tables. Preferred guests use the same entrance to the luau grounds as the VIP's of the Hyatt (who get to sit in the first row of course) and are admitted to the luau grounds prior to the opening of the general admission line. They also go through the dinner buffet before the general admission guests. The cost of this upgrade is $15 per seat in addition to our discounted general admission rate posted above and applies to all seats, whether they are for adults, teens, children, or free infants. Please note that the "one free child per adult" special is not available in the preferred section.
HL / V
 |
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 ordering a few weeks before your vacation, go
with PREMIER reserved seating at one of the luaus that offer
that option (The Wailea Marriott charges $9.60pp and the Royal Lahaina and Westin
Luaus charge $15pp for this upgrade.) 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 Wailele
Polynesian Luau at the Westin Maui Resort and Spa 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. We hope they add more nights to this excellent luau
offering in the near future. WELL
DONE!!!
The Wailea
Marriott offers the best luau in South Maui and it is held 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 as their
luau ground has a panoramic ocean view looking out toward
Molokini Crater. Their
show is a unique 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 really see the ocean much 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 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. On the upside it is now possible to get preferred seating, which will improve your luau experience over being in the general admission section.
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!
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On-line Luau
Reservations
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