All the Best Maui Luaus and Shows

Looking to book a Maui Luau for the upcoming Maui Vacation? Looking for Maui luau discounts also? You are in luck because we have put together a guide to help you learn everything you need to know in order to find the best Maui luau for the specific needs of your group. A luau is one of the very best Hawaiian events that you simply must do when you come to Maui. If you travel from across the ocean all the way to Hawaii and you don’t go to a luau during your trip you may have overlooked what could have been the highlight of your Hawaiian adventure. To make the booking process hassle-free we’ve made this list of the best Maui Luaus and shows. Maui has luaus on the Lahaina and Kaanapali area as well as Wailea Luaus.  Every luau is great in its own way, but there are a few things to consider when making your choice.

#7  Best Maui Luaus and Shows – Sheraton Kaanapali Maui Nui Luau

Rounding out the top 7 luaus on Maui, the Sheraton Kaanapali Maui Nui Luau is held at the Sheraton Maui and starts around sunset. During your time at the famous Kaanapali Sheraton hotel, you will experience a true Kaanapali Beach Luau in the shadow of world-famous Black Rock. As the dusk of night steals the sunset with a fiery orange descent into the Pacific Ocean, the silhouettes of the cliff divers against the deepening colors of the dusk skyline will undoubtedly capture your attention as you take in the last rays of the setting sun reaching over the horizon. There is no minimum age at this luau, you can even bring the whole family, even the babies.  The catering team of the Sheraton will have a variety of Hawaiian delicacies in their immense food selection that you will be able to eat during the dinner buffet. We love this luau but it is at the bottom of the list because it is only held two nights a week.

#6  Best Maui Luaus and Shows – Marriott Te Au Moana Luau

Next on our list is the Marriott Te Au Moana Luau. This luau is held at the Wailea Marriott Hotel. The show starts at 5:00 PM in the evening. During your time at this luau, you will start your experience beachside playing ancient Hawaiian games and browsing handmade crafts that are on display by local artists while you sip on an island cocktail. Then you will get to experience the tradition of the Imu Ceremony which signals the start of the Hawaiian luau feast. There is no minimum age on this tour, if you would like to drink from the bar you will need to bring ID but this activity is very family-friendly, you can even bring babies. They will have a large selection of food and drinks prepared to eat during the show. Kalua pig, Hawaiian Poi, and many more delicacies are all available for you to eat.

 #5  Best Maui Luaus and Shows – Grand Wailea Luau 

The Grand Wailea Luau is a great value and located in beautiful Wailea. Pretty much everything is the same with the standard being held in Wailea at the Grand Wailea Hotel & Spa, show starting at 5:00 PM in the evening. During your time at the luau, you will enjoy an evening of magical enchantment at Honua’ula and discover the culture, history, and legends of Hawaii as well as its traditions. you will have the opportunity to take photos, Luau begins with the Imu Ceremony which signals the start of the show. There is no minimum age on this tour, you can even bring babies. They will have a selection of food to select from during the show that will have all of the Hawaiian staples. Lomi Lomi Salmon, Chicken Long Rice, Kalua Pig, Fried Rice, Fish, Poi, Chicken and more!

#4  Best Maui Luaus and Shows – Hyatt Kaanapali Luau 

The Hyatt Kaanapali Luau Regular Seating is held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel & Spa in Kaanapali Beach and definitely an island favorite event. The show starts around 5:00 PM in the evening and lasts into the night. During your time at the show, you will enjoy watching the story of Maui unfold via Hula and other Polynesian dances. The history of Maui through traditional dancing by the locals is quite an experience. There are many other activities at the luau as well including the time to take a photo with the dancers. There is no minimum age on this tour, you can even bring babies. They will have a selection of food and drinks available during the show.

#3  Best Maui Luaus and Shows- Feast At Lele Luau

The #3 luau on our list is a different experience than any other luau on this list. The Feast At Lele Luau is held at 505 Front Street in Lahaina and begins approximately at 6:00 PM in the evening. During your time at the show, you will experience a theatrical journey through Polynesia. The ancient culture of Polynesia will be brought to life on the stage with song and dance. The crowd sees what it was like… and tastes what it was like! You will be taken to the different cultures of the 4 island nations that make up Hawaii. Your luau group will enjoy a nice view of the sunset in the background, accompanied by music. They will have a selection of food and drinks available during the show that will all be served to your table. This is a luau that is more like a fine dining restaurant, much more of a gourmet affair than your typical all you can eat buffet.

#2  Best Maui Luaus and Shows – Old Lahaina Luau

The Old Lahaina Luau is a classic luau that is oceanfront, across the street from the Lahaina Cannery Mall, starting around 6:00 PM in the evening. During your time at this Maui luau show, you will experience the history of the 4 Islands of Hawaii. This show exclusively highlights Hawaiian history and culture. Voted as the Best Luau in many periodicals and reviews this show definitely is an experience that will allow you to be able to relive the traditions and have the opportunity to see Hawaii’s history through dance and ceremony. The venue is blessed with a great view of a wonderful oceanfront setting. Traditional seating is available by request. The traditional seating uses a low Japanese style cocktail table and mats. There is no minimum age on this tour, you can even bring very young ones to the show. When you are at the luau you will be pleased to find out that they have a large selection of food and drinks to select from to eat during the show. The drawback to the Old Lahaina Luau is that they don’t have two venues and it is in extremely high demand. Even during the slow season, it books out over a month in advance, so getting tickets is hard to do.

#1  Best Maui Luaus and Shows – Royal Lahaina Luau

It was a close battle for first place but our experts felt that the Royal Lahaina Luau was the best all-around Maui luau experience. One of the reasons why the luau edges out the Old Lahaina Luau for first is that there are multiple fire knife dancers. Also, it is actually possible to get tickets without booking a month or so out. The luau is held at the Royal Lahaina Resort in Kaanapali around sunset, just like the other luaus. During your time at the luau, you will get to see first hand the experience of attending a live Imu Ceremony, including a chance to participate in a dance with the hula dancers. Not only that, you definitely need to check out the buffet which is one of a kind since it has a separate buffet for the kids.  The food is plentiful and comforting, the setting is idyllic, and the warm reception from the luau staff will truly make you feel like Ohana.

We hope that our list of best Maui Luaus has provided you with all of the information you need to help make your decision of which luau will be best for your group. If you would like to book any of these tours please get in touch with us as soon as possible. Our friendly staff will be happy to help you over the phone, or if you would prefer we could also help online. Click on any of the links in the article above to make a booking online. All of the descriptions of the tours on this page are valid as of the publish date. Click the links of the tours for the most current information.

Maui Luaus History

The modern idea of a Maui Luau or a Hawaiian luau has its origins in the early 1800s when King Kamehameha II abolished the ancient practice of Hawaiian men and women taking their meals separately. The name “luau” comes from the favorite dish of these ancient Hawaiians, chicken and young tender leaves of taro baked with coconut milk.  At the first luau feast, King Kamehameha II broke down the gender barrier and made community central to Hawaiian culture. We celebrate this tradition today, the tradition of community and great food shared with loved ones. Throw in some great live entertainment and the beautiful Maui sunset and you’ve got an experience to remember.

Choosing the Right Maui Luau

When you’re deciding which one of these Maui luaus is the right one for you, consider the location of the luau in relation to your where you’re staying while you’re on Maui. The Royal Lahaina Luau, Old Lahaina Luau, The Feast at Lele, Hyatt Regency Drums of the Pacific Luau or the Sheraton Luau at Black Rock are best if you’re staying on the west side, around Lahaina or Kaanapali. If you’re staying in Wailea, you’ll definitely find either the Grand Wailea Luau or the Marriott Te Au Moana to be the best to choose from. These Maui Luaus book out quickly. Give one of our activity experts a call at 855-268-0387 to see how we can get you the best deal possible! Several of these luaus book out as far as a month ahead of time, so once you know what you want to do, it’s best to plan ahead of time to ensure we are able to accommodate your request.

What to Expect at a Maui Luau

All of these Maui Luaus and Shows have a check-in time approximately half an hour before they officially open the luau grounds. At many of these luaus, especially with preferred tickets, you’ll be greeted with a fresh flower lei.  You’ll be escorted into the grounds where island cocktails, alcoholic and non-alcoholic await. Live music will fill the air and you’ll be shown your table where you’ll most likely greet the other guests. An emcee will host the occasion and will give you a variety of opportunities to interact and learn about Hawaiian culture prior to the unveiling of the Pua’a, the Kalua pig, from the Imu. You’ll enjoy hula dancing and a variety of traditional music. Now the buffet line will open and you’ll fill your plate and your belly! Enjoy the show as you taste the Hawaiian flavors and enjoy a beautiful sunset with your friends or family. Make sure to bring the camera, there will be many photo-worthy moments for sure. Don’t forget the Aloha! Check out other Things to Do on Maui here.

Frequently Asked Questions About Maui Luaus

What are the Best Luaus in Maui?

Our favorite luau in Lahaina/Kaanapali is the Hyatt Drums of the Pacific Luau and our favorite luau in Wailea is the Marriott Te Au Moana Luau. We recommend choosing a luau that is also convenient for you, driving an hour after an all you can eat buffet is not always ideal.

Which is Better The Feast at Lele or Old Lahaina Luau?

We prefer the Feast at Lele over the Old Lahaina Luau for several reasons. While the Old Lahaina Luau is certainly popular and boasts great reviews, the show leaves a lot to be desired and its often crowded. The Feast at Lele provides a unique twist on the luau experience and offers a more intimate atmosphere with an award-winning show. Sometimes things don’t always live up to their hype and many are left disappointed with the Old Lahaina Luau show.

Does Old Lahaina Luau Have Fire Dancers?

Unfortunately, no, the Old Lahaina Luau does not have fire dancers. Its performance is based on Hawaiian traditions alone and does not incorporate the other islands of Polynesia that created the culture of the Hawaiian islands.

What Do You Wear to a Luau in Maui?

 

If it’s your first time attending a luau, undoubtedly you’re curious about the usual attire. There are no hard and fast rules on what to wear to a luau, but at the very least you should wear something comfortable. Maui, with its tropical weather and laid back atmosphere, you can’t go wrong when you opt for loose-fitting, lightweight clothes made of moisture-wicking, breathable materials. So, should you wear floral patterns, solids, colors, dressy clothes, or the famous Hawaiian aloha shirt? Wear something comfortable, island-style, and not too dressy!

What is Served at a Hawaiian Luau?

The traditional fare from Polynesia. Kalua pork cooked underground in the Imu is always on the buffet, teriyaki chicken, fish, Ahi poke, local fruits and vegetables, fried rice, lots of local desserts, and more.

 

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