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My family and I went to this luau and had a great time. First off the staff and service there is amazing: very friendly and funny. The price for the luau is pretty expensive but i believe it is well worth it cause its all you can eat and ALL YOU CAN DRINK! The cocktail menu is very tasty and unique and are strong.
The food was just okay nothing really amazing, but dessert was great!
Before the start of the show and the opening of the buffet they have little arts and craft stations and they dig out the pig from the underground oven which is cool to see.
The show was great as there are different acts, but the whole entire luau was pretty long.
People thought this was:
Just OK. The perfect way to describe this Luau. I have been to other Luaus and was more impressed. Paradise Cove Luau west of Honolulu was much better.
Make reservations early because the seating is assigned on when you make your reservation. The location was good. Easy parking at the Canary mall. You get there, are greeted, get a Lei, take a photo, and head to your table. You then get a drink and wander around. There isn't any schedule so you just have to listen for announcements for when the will uncover the pig and other events. You don't have time to do everything, so pick and choose.
The sunset is beautiful. The food is mediocre, the entertainment is nice. This is nice as a first time Luau, but I wouldn't go back. It not a cheap night out and if you don't drink alcohol (like me) it's not worth the money.
You have to do a Luau at least once and this is a nice one, but nothing super special.
People thought this was:
Let's start with the positives...there is the open bar. Unlike the other reviews that call this "free alcohol," this is the ONLY thing that even comes close to justifying the price!
The server we had was fun and friendly, but slow in delivering the drinks.
And not for the not so good/borderline bad...
The food was quite gross. Everything was over seasoned and sauced that every dish had the same slimy taste to it. I think I ate more bread than anything else.
The presentation was quite boring. And then they came to the recognition part, were the announcer girl asked about birthdays (and not that it was mine) and she rushed a Hawaiian birthday wish to the people that stood for acknowledgment. But to all the honeymooners and anniversary celebrators...she went on and on and on. Yeah, yeah, Maui is a couples island. I don't really need is shoved any more in my face. It didn't bother me that they recognized these people, it only irked me on how rushed the birthdays were in comparrison.
We were sat about as far away as possible (if you want to be close, you have to be willing to sit on a pillow for a few hours, and I am not). I think they need to tier their establishment a little more than they did, because with all the servers walking back and forth to gather dishes and people heading to the bathroom, my view was blocked a great deal of the time.
Maybe it's traditional, but maybe traditional is too plain and boring for my short attention span.
People thought this was:
My first Luau with friends...It was soooo much fun! I thought the entertainment was great..Great customer service, however our waiter was a bit slow compared to the other waiters, but he was nice. Food was yummy and UNLIMITED Drinks (which are strong and good). They pace the show well and great opportunity to take pics beforehand. We were single gals, and heard this was great to go as friends or as couples, versus some of the other Luaus are more romantic.
This is the most expensive luau I've ever been to, but since it was a friend's birthday and we were all on vacation, what the hell, right?
It's a very traditional luau. No wow-tactics here. No firedancing or fog or selecting tourists from their seats to dance and humiliate themselves. It was purely dance -- serious and professional. To be sure, the dancers were very talented, but it didn't seem like a very intimate luau atmosphere. Of course the tourists were partying what with the open bar (see below), but I didn't think this luau was much fun at all. It was just lacking.. something. I was pretty disappointed that this is supposed to be "the best luau on Maui".
Major selling point: open bar. First thing when we walked in, a half-naked Hawaiian boy serving mai tais on a tray. And they were gooood.. The drink menu was pretty fun and interesting. Between my friends and I, we tried ever drink on the menu. The "Lava Flow" was basically a Pina Colada with strawberry syrup. It seemed to be the most popular drink of the night at the luau. The "Maui Sunset" was definitely a little too strong for us, though. Beers were limited to Bud and Bud lite (no Primo here).
The food was okay. The bread and guava butter were great. My friends and I hunted for guava butter EVERYWHERE afterward, but no luck. My favorite dishes were probably the lau lau, the kalua pork, and the sweet potatoes. Flavor was amazing and the meats were tender and succulent. The small pieces of steak were a bit too well done for my taste, they were dry (almost sandpaper) and difficult to chew.
Since they're situated oceanfront, you get a fantastic view of the sunset and a nice breeze to keep you cool. You can stroll around to look at the various "educational" stations set up where you can purchase souvenirs and watch them weave leaves.
The dancers and workers were pretty cool. They invited my friends and I to go out partying with them at a local bar afterward. Sadly, we declined but we did see a good number of them drinking and smoking in the Longs parking lot while we walked back to our rental car. I can only imagine how much stress and pressure they're under to maintain the luau's standards.
But yeah.. for $96/head? Never again.
The Pros:
-Open Bar!
-Great food...I absolutely loved the lau lau and the tuna & tako poke.
-Gorgeous location...perfect for taking pictures with the family.
-Attentive & very organized staff.
The Con(s):
-More of a traditional luau. Nothing spectacular about the show itself, in fact, it seemed a bit repetitive at times :(
Overall, we all had a great time here! For the amount of people that attend this luau (I believe it was 500? not exactly sure), it still managed to maintain an intimate atmosphere. We were at the 2nd to last row from the back, but were still fairly close to the stage. Not gonna lie, best part about the luau for me was definitely the food. Different experience from past luaus I have attended in Oahu. Best way to describe it would be low-key and personal in comparison to Paradise Cove, etc.
People thought this was:
My friends recommend this luau, so my husband and I went to check it out. The parking lot next tot he luau is small so we parked across the street. The staff was there guiding people where to park, so it was easy to park. Upon arrival we were all greeted with a lei and mai tai. They immediately took you to your seat. We choose the traditional mat seating which were in the front.
The location was beautiful since it was the view of the ocean. They also had different stations were people were doing art and crafts, taking pictures, and telling stories.
The food was a buffet of traditional Hawaiian food. It was good, but not great. For the money we were paying, I was expecting something much better! Also, the drinks were okay as well. The lava flow was nothing like the lava flow I had at my hotel. It tasted too artificial. The mai tai was also too sweet. I didn't get to get my drink on due to the lack of taste! The dessert were one bite brownies, mini macadaminum nut pie, and some others which I didn't try.
The show was great. The costumes were beautiful! I couldn't stop staring at the guy costumes. ;) We also had great people that were around our age sitting across from us, so we had good conversations with them. They also played a special lovers song where you could dance in the moon light. It was a perfect ending to a perfect trip!
I'm only giving it 4 stars bc of the food and drinks for the price we paid for the tickets. We paid $180 for 2 people. We booked online about a month prior to our trip. I overheard people at the pool that wanted to go to this luau, but couldn't bc it was all booked for the week. If you really want to go, book your tickets before you arrive to Maui.
People thought this was:
how could you go to hawaii and not see a luau? this is the top rated luau in all of the islands so i decided to def make it on my must-do list.
the 95 price tag is steep but well worth it for a show, and all you can eat and drink.
the drinks were strong and you could get table service or stand in the long lines at the bar. i got id'd at the bar which was quite annoying since i had waited in line for a few minutes and my id was in the car not even in my purse at the table and not to mention i became of legal drinking age a long time ago.
the food was nothing spectacular at all, actually i didnt eat most of it, but it was better than i expected!!
the show was beautiful with the most amazing sunset in the background.
the employees were kind of annoying mentioning tips were not included and the fact that they were trying to sell you all the extras (pictures, leaf leis, boxes, wood carvings, etc) was not necessary.
The old staple is still going strong after all these years. I first saw the Old Lahaina show over 15 years ago. The stories, the backbone to the whole thing, are just as good today.
Now, they also have a great venue and the food is ok too. Ok considering such a large crowd to feed.
I just went here yesterday and like everyone mentions you immediately get lei's and greeted with a drink (Mai Tai or juice). We arrived about an hour early and found parking across the street (we parked on the street rather than paying for real parking) and walked around until we came in. There are two photographers that photograph you by the ocean or by a tiki totem and like at an amusement park you can see your proofs at the end and decide if you want to buy it.
You travel through four islands culture and food and have the option of pairing it with wine or beer or you can get your own drink from a menu (given that it is a triple digit meal...it is better if you liquor up). The food is good and if you ever want seconds or thirds all you have to do is ask the friendly staff for more. I was in love with the lau lau pork and all the other dishes were good to great.
I was a little disappointed in the performers because they used the same nine people in all of their performances. The scene, and the wait staff make up for it, all it was missing was a proposal (which I saw at the Royal Lahaina) a couple of year ago. All in all, great place, good food, great people., mahalo.
If this is "The Best Luau on Maui" then you're not missing much.
I liked how I was greeted with a Mai Tai. The Server took good care of us and kept the Margaritas coming. The food was very disappointing. I mean imitation crab? I didn't want the bad food to ruin my experience so I just had another Margarita- after all its a open bar for goodness sakes!
The service and entertainment were enjoyable but the food did not make the cut.
People thought this was:
The night previous we had experienced the WORST dinner cruise known to man...so maybe our expectations were set lower than they could have been, but WOW! We felt so welcome upon arrival. It was like they genuinely were happy to see you. They gave us our little programs (which were SUPERIOR to the Welele Luau at the Westin). They even had "Happy Hawaiian Honeymoon" printed on our tickets with our names...which I'm sure had something to do with our booker (Actvity Warehouse). We received a lei and mai tai upon walking in and then we had a greeter who gave us the run down- we could go see ancient crafts down by the water, the Imu (where they cook the pig), the restrooms, the bar, our seats, etc. I'm a pretty picky eater, but I found plenty to eat. Purple sweet potatoes, maybe not like your typical yam, but a very cool thing to try!
The show was beautiful. I learned a lot about Hawaiian history and the DANCERS! They were phenomenal and all of them were gorgeous! The costumes and energy had me smiling and taking more pictures than should have been allowed. We also sat with a great bunch of people. I typically get nervous when there's group seating, but we had great conversations with our "Ohana" for the night.
We stayed at the Westin where we got to see their luau right outside of our room (which is supposedly modeled directly from Feast of Lele). Now, they did have fire dancing and such, which the Old Lahina does not, but I found the Westin's show to be cheesy, like a typical hotel show...and it's more expensive, which I don't get. I really felt the Old Lahina was a classy and truly cultural environment. I highly recommend it!
(We attended the show in November 2008)
Aloha `oe, aloha `oe
I can say this was hands down a great time. This was my first luau, and from what I've heard from those who went, including my boyfriend, this is one of the best you can go to on the island. The staff are very hospitable and I love the fact that you get drinks right from the get-go. They offer a great variety of drinks and they are delicious and strong!
They displayed the pigs that were cooked underground, which was a fun thing to see and learn about. The food was pretty tasty. I really enjoyed the shoyu chicken, tuna poke, the long rice chicken, and of course the Kalua Pig. They had some fantastic chocolate and macadamia nut brownies too!
The show was very entertaining and from what I understand authentic. The point here being that shows that contain fire blowing and similar antics are not true demonstrations of the Native Hawaiian Culture. The hula dancers were of course very entertaining and all their dances were narrated with the history of Hawaiian Culture. The show effectively combines tradition and entertainment making it superior to what other shows offer.
Is this luau expensive? Yes. But it is well-worth it!
People thought this was:
This was a great experience and far better than the luau I went to a couple of years back in Kauai. We were sitting at a table with 3 other couples ranging from late 20's to late 70's. It was a fun experience and since we were honeymooning we got a little extra attention.
Drinks are strong and plentiful and the service here is outstanding. The food was good but the dessert sucked. The entertainment was fabulous-and more traditional which was fabulous. They have their own private parking lot and the views are stunnig as well.
This is a pricey luau, but worth it for sure. They also have some educational areas set up ahead of time so you can learn about how they used to make clothing, roast the pig, make banana leaf skirts, etc. I hope to post some pictures by the weekend...
People thought this was:
Open bar, awesome view of Lahaina harbor, great food with a huge selection, and entertainment before, during and after (if you count the photo ops with the dancers) dinner. What more could you want in a luau? I liked this better than Paradise Cove on Oahu, but that's not saying much.
The poke and haupia are the real standouts here. Extremely spot-on service, especially with the drinks. Their facilities are very clean and modern. They really make good use of the ticket fees, because it shows. Highly recommended for anyone in search of a great luau. Solid 4.5 stars.
This is a professional production from start to finish. That being said it is a very serious luau, not like the other luaus on the island.
Starting from the check-in the staff was very friendly and professional. They immediately put a drink in your hand, show you to your reserved seats and you are quickly met by your server for the night. Our server went above and beyond what we expected. The other people at our table kept asking for things even after the food service was over and he provided whatever he could.
The food was excellent! I loved both the Ahi Tuna Poke and the Octopus Poke, better than I expected for a buffet dinner. Also enjoyed the long rice chicken a LOT and the kalua pig was very moist and tender. I was so surprised the 8 other people at our table didn't try any island food. They went for the steak, grilled veggies etc... They were so boring, seriously it's the perfect place to try something new. The drinks were very good considering it's an open bar for a luau.
The show is very good and very Hawaiian. We are told the performances are all traditional Hawaiian, and not from other islands. No Maori dances, no stand-up comedians or on-stage audience participation. I'd recommend if you could, go see two different luaus, this one second.
People thought this was:
Definitely worth attending if you have never done a luau on all of Hawaii. The place is quite big, but very organized. There is overflow parking across the street at the mall, where you will be directed to clearly. When you get over to ticketing and seating, again, don't be worried about all the people - you will get attended to quickly.
We got the Hawaiian style seating right by the stage and before dinner starts, you have time to walk alongside the beachfront, where the beautiful sun is setting over the sea, and there are a bunch of vendors performing Hawaiian crafts that you can buy, or simply observe being made.
You will also get a chance to learn the pig that's been cooking underneath the earthen pit, and see it get pulled out to be shared by all later.
The bar is open the whole time as you wait, and can go swiftly so long as you hit the right line (the one in the middle), and you can get a great array of fruity tropical drinks. Our server was extremely gracious, ready and willing to do whatever he could to serve.
Once it was food time - buffet style - we got up in an orderly fashion and was able to load up on 20 different things. The food itself was just ok -- but note, I had food poisoning the night before, and wasn't so much in the mood to eat. There were also 4 different bite sized desserts to try afterwards.
The show itself was quite good - and not cheesey at all. There were probably 30 dancers or so in total, and the show brings you through the history of Hawaii - from myth, to Polynesian roots, to the missionaries, Princess Liliukolani, statehood, and beyond.
All in all a great experience for your $92, which includes tax and tip.
**This is a continuation of the initial review, in case the conversation link gets shut down**
After the Imu Presentation you are asked to go back to your seat for the beginning of the luau dinner. This bad boy is buffet style! All you can eat! Because there are a lot of people, your host or hostess will come to your table to let you know when it is your turn in the buffet line. The menu is pretty extensive:
-Kala Pua'a (roasted pig)
-Polynesian Baked Mahi Mahi
-Pulehu Steak
-Chicken Long Rice
-Guava Glazed Chicken
-Stir-Fry Vegetables
-Fried Rice
-Sweet Potatoes
-Lomi Lomi Salmon
-Ahi Poke
-POI (yah duh, of course!)
-Various salads and fresh fruit
-Haupia
Oh my God the spread was great, I ate so much! The first trip to the buffet I had 2 plates FULL of food! One of the luau dancers was like, "Eh brah, you must be local boy! You get 2 plates! Eat up ah!" I ended up going back for 2 more plates, what a pig. I dunno what the caucasian people were thinking with like 1 plate half full...more for me! I at all of it, and it was good. The steak was a little overdone but I ate it anyway. Food was almost as good as home, I was so comfortable.
When most folks are done eating, the hula dancers come in for their show. Their program begins with journey of Polynesians across the Pacific to the islands of Hawaii, using the powerful yet graceful moves of hula. They also do a bit of chanting, their way of talkin to their Gods. There is no fire dancing in this luau though, because it is not considered native to Hawaii. So don't be disappointed if you don't see it. Overall a great show.
At the end of the show is when you can take pictures with the hula dancers, and the last chance for you to pick up your photos from the photographer. At this point, you should be happy and full, and possibly still a little buzzed from your Mai Tai. Great opportunity for you and your loved one to take a stroll on the beach. If you go to Maui, you should go here! Aloha Hui Ho!
People thought this was:
"Oh we're going to a hukilau....a huki huki huki hukilau..."
I gotta admit, a Filipino guy raised on…
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Still the best luau on Maui, and it changes every year.
It's the most expensive, hardest to get tickets to, and still the best. Old Lahaina Luau does everything right. Trays for drinks as you walk in. (All booze, including a list of several dozen special mixed drinks, provided as part of admission price.) Great experienced Hawaiian waitstaff. Watch the pig being taken from the pit its been cooking in. Awesome buffet with everything, and it all tastes great. That's the awesome part. From pork laulau to beef, mahi mahi, crab salad, fresh pork, raw ahi tuna poke, and all the side dishes to go with them.
The luau show is ever changing (I've seen it 4 or 5 times now). It has about three dozen different numbers, Remarkably talented hula dancers. More bare buns from the male dancers than the female, but you can't have everything! Ocean backdrop, with time to walk along the beach before the show and dance there (just once, for two minutes) during the show. Some Tahitian dancing, but mostly authentic Hawaiian.
Arrive late (that is, ontime) and you'll park three blocks away. But coming a bit early gives you time for more mai tais and parking right outside the door. They open the doors at 5:15. We arrived at 4:50 and parked right by the entrance with the blue haired old ladies in their Mercedes. Seating is reserved, so you don't have to worry about getting in line to get a good seat. Just buy your tickets early.
People thought this was:
We were a bit leery that this was just a tourist trap, but if this is what a tourist trap is, sign me up! Between the free drinks, food, gorgeous setting, and great service, we absolutely got our moneys worth. Plus, we got amazing photos - the staff and dancers are more than willing to take pictures of you and with you. Could the drinks be a bit stronger? Yes, but you can just ask them to add more alcohol.
It Rained on us, and it still gets 5 stars.
Moreso, it was 92$ each, our first time we tried to go got canceled because of rain, and the people at our table were trying really hard to be miserable, but I still give it 5 stars.
Why?
The staff is incredible. You are treated fantastically here. You actually learn about Hawaiian culture. You have fantastic and nearly endless food. Sure it's buffet style, but that doesn't mean it that it isn't fantastic. The dancing and shows were phenomenal, top notch performances, and very fun to watch.
Ok, it also might have something to do with the open bar, or that between me and my gf we had every single available drink on their menu. But no matter how you slice it or chug it, it is a fantastic spectacle, a great end to our week in beautiful Hawaii!
Mahalo OLL.
This is the only luau I've been to. The setting is perfect, the drinks were good, and the food was great. The show itself was good, but after a bit seemed repetitive. I know that fire dancers are not Hawaiian, but it still would have been fun to see.
Overall I enjoyed it, but I'm not sure I recommend it for children. Four of the five kids were asleep halfway through the show. Not a knock on the show, just a comment on whether it's worth it with children.
I guess Luau's just aren't my thing. Everyone was raving about this and while it was nice it just didn't rock my socks off.
Upon arrival they gave me a flower for my hair that smelled amazing and a pretty lei and a yummy mai tai - which is saying something because I don't like mai tais normally.
We spent the first 45 min wandering the grounds and taking advantage of the photographers there to take your photos and also taking some pics of our own - the grounds were really pretty!
We stopped by the tiki carver display and the first tiki I picked up the was the love and happiness tiki. We figured that was sign so we bought it. The guy carved our names and wedding date in the back of it while we watched. That was pretty much my favorite part of the luau right there.
We watched the pig ceremony which was pretty interesting (or disgusting if you are a vegetarian, but I'm not so it was OK) and then sat down at our table. Our table was in the back corner but we got to hit the buffet pretty early so that was good. I found most of the food to be pretty gross personally - except for the pork from the pig in the ground - that was DELICIOUS!!! Drinks are included so I had a non stop rotation of lava flows which was nice. Our server was very attentive also.
After dinner they moved people at our table to a better viewing location on the ground - I didn't want to sit on the ground for an hour or so for the show so we were moved to another table with a better view. I watched about 30 min or so of hulaing luau entertainment and I was over it. Might have been the jet lag?
I hear if you want to do a luau this is the one to do - and based on the others I saw during my stay that's probably true - I just think that Luaus are not for me.
People thought this was:
This is the best luau I've ever been to...great entertainment, awesome food, and free drinks!
The maitais flowed like water, the pork was absolutely perfect and the seafood was out of this world...would definitely go again!
2 words for you. **** AHI POKE****
Eat as much of it as you can because it is sooo good!
The drinks were too sweet for my liking but the pork was delicious and the AHI POKE was to die for. Our server was so nice an attentive, he went above and beyond.
The show was really great, the dancers were all great and make sure to have your picture taken with a hula dancer at the end of the night!
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We really enjoyed it... the great buzz helped too. It was all timed very nicely... I don't feel like I waited on anything. The food was decent... except for the poi... I don't know how they do it. Our server was very entertaining and the show was decent. We got there a half hour early and easily parked.
This was a great choice we made to attend this of the many luaus available in Maui. Although it was our first, the luau was great with the performances, food was good as well as the service. It's buffet style, which the food was supplied by the Aloha Mixed Plate restaurant next door, which overall is good. The imu (roast pig underground) was a cool thing to watch them take out. But the best part of the night was being outdoors, beachside, eating and watching the performances while the sun set.
Overall, good food, good performances, good service, nice location...and reserve early for a close to stage pre-reserved seat!
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I will be one of the few negatives here. I am actually pretty surprised by the positive reviews.
This is about $100 a person -- it includes dinner and a hula show.
First, the food was pretty bad. The steak was over-cooked and barely edible. The other foods were pretty mediocre.
Second, this goes on for way too long. You arrive and wait around. You can check out the nice views and buy crafts from them. Then you wait some more. And more. Then you sit down and each table is called up one at a time. Then you eat. Then you wait. Then they do the hula. Why they don't have the dancing along with dinner I don't know.
Third, yes, they have an open bar. But the drinks are really weak. My guess is that their idea is that you will fill up on sugar water, you will eat less food.
Fourth, the hula itself was really interesting. But, there was definitely a difference in ability between dancers. So, some of the dancing was eh and other was pretty good.
I would take that $100/person and go to Mama's Fish House. The view is just as good. The food is amazing.
Anyone who goes to Hawaii will end up going to a luau. When I visited Maui, one of the must do activities was the Old Lahaina Luau. It starts up around 6pm I think. The parking lot is teeny tiny and your rental car is gonna get dinged. There is another lot across the street too. Once you park and pay to get in (reservations required) you are seated at your table. If your party is under 8, you'll be sharing a table with other people. We sat with 3 old couples...can you imagine how much fun we had. LOL. Just kidding, they weren't too bad. This place has an OPEN BAR. But don't think you're gonna get shit faced here, the mixed drinks are watered down big time. I had like 4 mixed drinks and 2 beers, here at home I would've been passed out on the floor...at the luau, just a lil buzzed. Weak. Dinner doesn't start until about an hour after opening. That leaves you time to walk around and look at shit. There are Hawaiian people making stuff all around the place. Stuff like tikis, fishing nets and other native Hawaiian shit. Don't buy the tikis though, they're shitty. I'll tell you about that later. They then dig up the pig for dinner. It's worth a peek. Doesn't look very appetizing though. When dinners ready, they call up a few tables at a time to get food. Cafeteria style lines. Then the show starts. Buncha Hawaiians dancing around and playing music. It was very entertaining. Like a history lessons about Hawaiians. Dessert is served later and then its time to go. You can hang around and take pictures wth the performers. This place is constantly voted as the best luau in Hawaii, I totally agree. It was definitely worth the money. I strongly recommend it when you're on Maui.
About the tikis...don't buy them at the luau. They're hand-made but suck. Beginners carving them. To get great authentic tikis go to Kihei. On Kihei Rd. there is a McDonalds with a lil swap meet next door. There you'll see a hut filled with beautiful handmade tikis. There is a fat Hawaiian guy carving them there. You can watch him do it too. This guy is a true artist. There are tikis 6 feet tall. All hand carved. His tikis are a must buy. There is also a Hilo Hattie on Maui. Inside the store is another carver...his son. Also does beautiful work. My girlfriend bought one from him. She had him sign it too. Nice.
3rd Day in MAUI, Sunday 9/14/08
Great performances, good food, open bar drinks. What more can you ask for at a Luau! If you need to go to a luau your best bet is to go here. Especially if someone in you party has never experienced one before. I reserved for 6 people for the seated tables. If I come here next time I would probably choose traditional mat seating (no chairs you sit on the floor) so that you could be up close and personal to the stage.
PROS:
* Upon check-in they serve you a mai tai and lei greeting.
* According to our seat location, we were the first group to get up and get food at the buffett.
* Our server Randy was awesome. He even got us some drinks.
* Great photo opportunities with the sunset.
* All you can eat food.
CONS:
* Our seats were on the side so the view of stage was not that great. I would recommend getting traditional mat seating to get up near the front.
* Parking lot gets full so you have to find street parking or park in the mall across the street and walk.
* Drive to luau was about 45 minutes from Kihei.
* The table seated 8 people so we had to sit with Bob and Tina. They were nice folks but it's kinda weird to have them randomly sit with us.
The next time I come here I will probably try Feast of Lele. It's about $30 more expensive but it is not buffett style and you won't have to share seat with people you don't know.
People thought this was:
I've been to the Old Lahaina Luau twice. The first time was in '97 before I moved to San Francisco (I'm a Maui native, born and raised) at their old location on 505 Front Street. It was a great experience because I went with a bunch of work friends. My second time was this year with my boyfriend at their new location on the other end of Front Street. The new location is beautiful and much better than the last. The waiters were awesome (not to mention good looking), the drinks were constantly being replenished and the food was broke da mout' good! A view of the ocean and sunset from every table! The dinner show was fantastic...beautiful dancers and colorful costumes.
I totally recommend this luau to anyone planning a visit to Maui. Book way in advance if you want a for-sure reservation, seats sell out fast and they're booked months in advance. If there are no openings, put yourself on the waitlist...we did, and managed to get seats the week before we left for our trip.
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My first luau and I'm totally conflicted by loving the show but being very unimpressed with the food.
The dancing was great. The time passed so fast I was a little surprised when it was over. I especially liked the chanting and the little tidbits of stories in between the dancing. In my Blue Hawaiian in induced haze I also spent a whole dance trying to see what was under the cloths of the male dancers who were as amazing with their hips and butt as the girls.
Now the only reason why I gave it 3 stars is that I was not impressed with the food. Everything from the poke to the pork was really salty, which I guess is what authentic Hawaiian fare is, but there was nothing bland to eat it with. It would have been 100 times better if they would just have some rice or something there since they knew no one would want to eat the poi and so put it in little containers for you to just try a taste of. The only thing I really like was the chicken which was sweet instead of salty. They had pieces of steak but it was rather bland and hard. So anyway after a plate full of salty food I was really craving some refreshing fruit but they ran out! I was sitting on the mat so our table was one of the last to get food so I'm not sure if the lack of fruit happened to many other tables. Anyway not so cool for a $90 buffet to run out of food.
The open bar gave me a nice buzz but it took a while for me to find a good drink. The Lava Flow did not do it for me. it was so deathly sweet I could barely drink it. The Hawaiian Sunset and a few other drinks were also really sweet. The Blue Hawaiian, Green Passion, and a guava flavored drink- i think called Honey Girl (?) were all pretty good though. Besides about ten cocktails, they also have Budweiser, bud lite and a chardonnay and a Cabernet sauvignon on the menu. I appreciated that the waiter got drinks for the table so we didnt have to get up to go to the bar. But thats offset by the fact that he only came by once to ask if anyone wanted drinks (and to tell us its last call) once the show started, which is really when I would have liked to not have to go to the bar. I didn't get up to go to the bar myself cause I didn't want to miss the show so I only had 4 drinks. I tasted a lot of other ones cause my parents got different drinks. On one hand I had a nice buzz and was glad I wouldn't have a crappy hang over the next day in paradise, on the other hand hey i did pay a lot of money for an open bar.
The show, though a little short, was great, but the food and drinks didn't really cut it for me so I'm not sure if its worth the price of the ticket. I'd rather have paid like $30 just to see the show. I think i also may have enjoyed it more if the boyfriend was there because it was incredibly romantic with the sunset, the drinking and dancing in the dim light. All the couples on the mats were cuddling together. The atmosphere was a lot more gentle and romantic than I imagined a luau would be- I thought it'd be more loud and festive.
how the luau worked was you get a mai tai and lei when you walk in. we got there at 5:10ish and was one of the first cars to have to park across the street at the mall cause their tiny parking lot was full. its NOT a long walk by any stretch of the imagination but its still nice to get there early cause you have time to enjoy the grounds and start to get some drinks. I did almost all my drinking before dinner cause I was too preoccupied with the show during and after dinner. The leis they give you when you walk in are made of real flowers- like the ones you get for graduations so I thought that was a nice touch. Once you get your mai tai and your lei you get escorted to your seat. Then you can walk around looking at some crafts and take pictures of the beautiful sunset. There is the pig presentation before dinner, with everyone crowded around a little pit. I was in front but I'm not sure if everyone in the back could see. Then you go up to the buffet table by table. they have some preshow dancing for a few minutes at a time. The show starts after everyone got their food and ends by 8 so its not very long. The dancers stand outside after the show so you can take pictures with them as you leave.
This was a fantastic Luau. The setting was gorgeous and the entertainment top notch and very enjoyable. The staff fun and energetic and make you feel good.
The food- was really bad, but I don't think that is was you're coming for- right? It is open bar, so just enjoy the free booze and the great hula.
Definitely a must-do event when in Lahaina!
Like everyone said, it is great times. Good, bottomless drinks. Great, AYCE food. Fun entertainment. Overall great value for the money.
I am currently trying to find a luau on the island of Oahu that can come close to the excellent experience that is The Old Lahaina Luau here on Maui, and nothing can hold a candle to it. All of the reviews for the Luaus on Oahu are poor, calling them touristy (i.e. pricey, but bad quality food and not entertaining).
I guess we got spoiled by having our first luau be such a great one. I still watch the video of the unveiling of the pig from the fire pit that I took on my cell phone. It brings back some good memories of some delicious pork!
Very highly recommended!
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Having never been to a luau before, I really had no idea what to expect. I had visions of a very rustic, beach side setting, with a few picnic tables or mats laid out on the sand to sit and eat on, a whole pig buried and roasting in a pit, while petite women in grass skirts practiced in a corner, as some big ass Polynesians cats warmed up on the drums. Well, that's not quite what we got here...
This was far more like a polished, clean Vegas show. It was very well orchestrated complete with spot lights, a stage, and amplified music, and of course, drums. We were seated on mats at a very low table (not recommended for older folks, as there is NO back support). Initially I was a bit pissed, as I thought the seats were gonna suck, as we were on the far side of the stage, in pre-assigned seats. Once the show started, we were able to see just fine, as the dancers faced every direction, though the story tellers were kind of hidden from our view.
The food and drinks were all you could eat. The drinks, though watered down slightly were very good ... so good in fact, I think I has 7 or 8 or 9 or 10! Damn it, I can't remember how many I had! :)
As for the food, I thought it was pretty good, but then again to be fair, I'd never had any of it before. In my opinion, it did lack some of the flavors that I would associate with smoked or bbq'd cooking, but it was all good, none the less.
Was it worth the $95 per person ... yeah, I think so. However, I've been told that the best Hawaiian luau is found at the Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu.
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This was my second visit to the best luau on the island because it is the most traditional and accurate depiction of Hawaii culture and tradition. We got LUCKY because we called on a whim and someone cancelled. Our seats weren't that good, they were off to the side of the stage, but hey, beggars can't be choosers! I was just glad we got in, period. The first time I booked the show a few years back, I had to do it a year in advance to get the good seats.
This place is bursting with aloha set Oceanside on Front Street in Lahaina. You get lei'd, are handed a mai-tai, and are escorted to your seat. You are then welcome to peruse and watch artists and craftsmen, or learn a basic hula dance with one of the performers. There are professional photographers who are taking photos that you can stand in line for. They turn out really nice; you preview them at the end of the luau and can purchase them if you want. We chose 3 for $30.
One of my favorite aspects of the show are the hospitable island hunks in loincloths who are your servers for the night. In ancient Hawaii, the men did all the cooking, serving, and hard labor and the women were put on a pedestal, as they were the ones who could bring life to the world. Now that's what I'm talkin' about!
The luau, methods of cooking, food, and hula are all based on traditional old Hawaii as they take you through a cultural journey during your entire visit. You eat a buffet style Hawaiian feast and can select amongst a list of tropical drinks at an open bar. They've got it together, are super organized, and run a well-oiled operation.
The dancing is off the hook - a nice mix of beautiful slow hula (auana), traditional hula (kahiko), and shake-shake-it like a salt shaker Tahitian. I was in a hula halau (school) here on the mainland and the luau dancers put me to shame! I noticed a few of them were still performers that I saw four years back, so rest assured, these are pros.
Costumes are beautiful, the dancers are beautiful, and the setting can't be beat. It's worth the approx $200 per couple price tag, cause it's an event that lasts a few hours, not just the show itself.
This is definitely THE show to see on Maui to get the real deal experience. There are plenty other luaus, but many are Americanized.
Book early online and sit front and center (tables and cushions, not chairs). These are the prime seats and the best view of the show to truly appreciate all of the hula nuances such as formations and precision dance motions.
My first luau and it was freaking awesome! The grounds were beautiful with an amazing view of the ocean/water. We had mat seating which I personally think is the best way to view the luau itself. It's best to get here a little early so you can have time to enjoy walking around the grounds. Once we got through, we were greeted with fresh leis and a drink. There was tons of people but it never felt congested or packed (which I hate). There is an open bar which I loved! Unlimited, free drinks means I'm gonna get my drink on! They serve a variety of drinks and I would say the Chi Chi and Lava Flow were my faves. They have 3 different lines for the bar which was kind of long but our waiter was gracious enough to get us drinks when need be. The food was good but after one plate, I was full. What can I say, I suck at eating buffetts, I get full way too fast. But not too full for the dessert tray lol. Standouts I would have to say is the haupia cake and brownies.
The organization and the running of the luau show itself was very organized and we of course were well entertained. The dancers were definitely eye candy (for both men & women haha). Now onto the dancing, it was superb. They really know how to get their hula on and the thing is, they look like they were enjoying themselves too. If you can, get your luau here on Maui. I'm so glad we decided to do it here instead of Oahu. Definitely worth the $
Very pretty and I liked my fresh flower lei... the food was so-so and the drinks were syrupy sweet, so sweet I couldn't even finish them. And where was the souvenir photographer? I actually wanted one as our camera broke and I had no idea where this person was.
The shows were cool and our server busted his ass taking care of us and even called us by name. He was a cool guy and all the guys had cool Hawaiian tats I dug.
Maui Revealed. Buy the book. I ordered tickets to the Old Lahaina Luau prior to arriving in Maui based on their recommendation that this was the best and most authentic around. They were right.
First, get there early. You want to park in their lot, otherwise you'll have to go down the road and park in a special area of a grocery store parking lot. That said..
Old Lahaina Luau sits right next to the Pacific Ocean. Before the show starts, you have a chance to walk around the beach. They have local craftspeople selling small items on the curving walkway. However, the scene is what grabs your attention. The view from the sandy beach as the sun sets is beautiful. You can only sit and take it all in.
In a far corner, you can watch the workers, dressed in traditional clothing, wrapping a pig in banana leaves for underground roasting.
Did I mention it's open bar? Granted, the ticket price probably factors liquor in, but the guys at the bar are awesome and friendly. Plus, they made sure to make the drinks pretty strong. My goal was to go down the list one by one, but I made it to only the 4th or 5th. I knew I wasn't going to make it and I still wanted to enjoy the show.
We were seated at a table (vs a floor mat closer to the stage). Our waiter came by often and brought us everything we wanted. Service was fast and super friendly.
Food is served beginning the roasted pig that they started cooking hours early. They also have a buffet table setup chock full of local foods such as poi and various seafoods. Once everyone has had their fill, the show begins. The dancers come out on the main stage, and the show is great. Lots of fun.
I would note that this is a traditional Hawaiian luau, so you're not going to see Maori style fire dancing.
We had a great time at the Old Lahaina Luau. I'd recommend it to anyone looking to experience a great and authentic hawaiian luau.
review 2/2/08
I.M.Y.
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Go with an open mind and you should find that everything about this lu`au is incredible! From the food, dancing, and ever so important history that it provides, the Old Lahaina Lu`au has far surpassed my expectations on both occasions.
If you're someone who goes with the impression that there's no more to a traditional lu`au than girls shakin' it and dudes throwing fire, you're mistaken. This entertaining show is tasteful and classy and provides you with the basic knowledge about the culture that everyone should eventually have. Be prepared for tasty food, good drinks and a fantastic time on the west side!
BTW, those people who drink and are looking for a better lu`au should keep in mind that the equally stunning Polynesian Cultural Center lu`au does not serve alcoholic drinks.
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