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.
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New at
Kaanapali! The Wailele
Polynesian Luau
at the Westin
Maui Resort and Spa
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2008
Rate: $105 Adults, $75 children (ages 5-12)
in
2008 a $15 per person premium seating option is also available
- Vibrant dances and 5 fire knife performers
- Delicious luau cuisine with full table
service
- Premium open bar
- Intimate oceanfront setting
Currently held
on Thursday evenings only with extra nights added during holiday weeks. See
schedule below.
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Show
Dates:
| May-Dec: |
Held every
Tuesday and Thursday evening unless closed for a private
engagement. The following dates are NOT available ...
9/11 |
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!
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Sheraton
Kaanapali Sunset Luau
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General
Admission
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Reserved
Seating
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| Adults |
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$82.56 |
$92.16 |
| Children
(6-12) |
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$41.28 |
50.88 |
| Infants
(under 5) |
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Free |
$9.60 |
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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!
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Royal
Lahaina Luau
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General
Admission
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Reserved
Seating
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| Adults |
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$71.95 |
$86.95 |
| Children
(6-11) |
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Free |
$15.00 |
| Infants
(under 5) |
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Free |
FREE |
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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.
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Hyatt Luau -
Drums of the Pacific
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Our
Price |
| Adults |
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$86.00 |
| Teens
(13-20) |
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$51.00 |
| Children
(6-12) |
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$39.00 |
| Infants
(5 & under) |
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free |
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These
rates are $10 per person off the list price.
All seats
are general admission. Closed Mondays in the fall of 2008..
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.
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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 at least 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 and Westin 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!
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On-line Luau
Reservations
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