When researching for this trip, one of the most recommended things to do (besides the obvious lay on the beach) was attend a luau. Both Aamir and I are always keen to experience an element of local culture, history and food. It’s one of the reasons we started this blog and it’s always a priority when we go to a new city.
So, I set out to do research and find options for luaus on the island. The luau that was ranked number 1 on TripAdvisor was Te Au Moana and by happy accident this luau was located on the property we were staying at; The Wailea Beach Resort Marriott (check out our hotel review here). It was definitely a bonus that we didn’t have to drive anywhere since the luaus traditionally start in the early evening around 4 pm to be exact. It was nice that we were able to enjoy the day and not have to stress about rushing back to our hotel to get ready and then drive and get to the venue.
The Tickets
The standard ticket price was $129.17 per person and you could get an upgrade into the preferred seating section coming out to $147.92 per person. The preferred seating gets you early entry into the area as well as the seating in the first 2 rows and first access to the dinner buffet. We opted for the preferred seating and it was honestly a great decision. We had an amazing view and when we saw the venue, we were glad with our decision as the back rows were far and did not have the clear unobstructed views we did. The extra cash we spent was absolutely worth it and we highly recommend it.
The Event
We called in advance and let the organizers know of our food allergies and limitations. We were assured that there would be food options for us and that we would be taken care of. We were advised by the hotel upon check in to show up early as the seating overall was on a first come first serve basis. Nothing and I mean NOTHING scares me into an early arrival like the words first come first serve. My anxiety and FOMO kicks into overdrive. Safe to say Aamir and I arrived around 4 pm and I was glad that we did. There was a separate line for the preferred seating ticket holders and we still had about 4 families in front of us in the preferred line. The line for regular seating was already long and at that moment Aamir and I both agreed that the extra money spent was worth it.
We got great front row seating and had a great view of all the stage. When we sat down a gentleman came up to us discreetly and asked about our food preferences since we had mentioned while booking that we had limitations. He walked us over to the buffet and went over the menu. All this happened before the luau had even started.
Our other table mates joined us and they were delightful. It was great to have a chance to interact with other visitors to the island and share our experiences. We really had a blast with all the activities, dances and interactive activities with the crowd.
Pre- Dinner Activities
There were a few pre show / pre dinner activities that attendees could take part in. All the activities were family friendly like making bookmarks and getting temporary tattoos.
A cute way to pass the time and see a little of the old crafts. Of course, the pre- show time was also a great time to enjoy the sunset and the live music.
The Food
This was a pleasant surprise for me. I did not have high expectations in terms of the food since it was a buffet. Buffet’s have always had the cloud of scandal surrounded by mass produced food. Not so in this case my friends. As I mentioned before, due to our dietary restrictions, our seater came back right before the food was opened to even the preferred seating guest. He asked us to go first to avoid potential cross contamination of the spoons and we really appreciated the gesture. Our table mates and fellow guest were also super impressed. The fish and all the salads were prepared extremely well and we were not short of food options. We went adventurous and tried the coconut tofu and it was amazing! It was like a coconut jelly without the preservatives. Delicious! The desserts were laid out at our table and everything on the plate from the cookies to the brownies were delicious.
The Show
The highlight of the evening was of course the actual show in which there was a combination of story-telling, singing, and dance. It really as a beautiful way to get an introduction into Hawaiian history and the Islands’ culture. The performers are all beautiful and you can tell from their energy and smiles that they genuinely enjoy what they do.
Even the dancing was more than just dancing, it was a way to tell stories about the history of the island and its’ wonderful traditions. It was a stunning display of color, coordination, and rhythm (even by the men).
The show itself is almost 2 hours. When we were talking to our table mates, everyone was the most excited for the fire dancing. I mean, we were too, with all the hype and videos we had seen online, we were READY to be wowed.
If you are going for the fabulous fire dancing let’s clear a few things:
- Yes, it was amazing
- Unfortunately, it only lasts about 15 min
- It is at the end of show so don’t leave early
The Hakka and its Polynesian roots inspired Aamir and I to plan a future vacation to New Zealand so we could see more Hakka and history. Isn’t it the BEST feeling when you’re planning your next vacation while you’re still ON vacation? Is that something everyone does… or is it just us?
This really was a great evening for us and we absolutely recommend attending this Luau if and when you visit Maui. There is something to be said when at the end of an evening, you see EVERYONE around you smiling as they were leaving the venue. This is a GREAT evening activity for the entire family, which to be honest, is sometimes hard to do in some places.
If you want to know more about this Luau and book your tickets you can check out their site here
We hope you all have a chance to immerse yourself in the local culture and have a chance to relax and truly experience ALOHA 😊
Related Post You May Enjoy
Hotel Review: Wailea Beach Resort- Marriott,Maui
Our personal experice during our stay at the Wailea Beach Resort- Marriott, Maui
Snorkeling in Maui – A Review
Join us as we embark on our first EVER adventure, under the sea!
60 Comments
This is so great!! I actually felt like I was there ! Next time we re def attending a luau!
For sure! It is such a colorful and vibrant experience. Its also very family friendly so we know you will have a great time 🙂
This looks awesome! Wish I had read it before we were in Hawaii- we looked at a couple of luau’s on Maui but couldn’t decide on one so we just skipped it. But this looks great!
There are a LOT of options so its understandable that you had trouble deciding. We are sure you fell in love with Maui like we did soo, you can always go back again and have this experience next time 🙂
Im so sad I did NOT get to attend a luau during my stay in hawaii.. i didnt have enough information about what to expect and whether it would be worth the price.. esp the buffet! But definitely wont miss it next time thanks to your detailed notes.
The buffet was the one thing that held us back initially as well. We called the host hotel before our trip and had them send over a sample menue to make sure there were plenty of options for us. No worries, next time you head over to the islands you can make up for it and experience a luau 🙂
This is amazing!! I want to to this! I actually laughed when I read your bit about anxiety with hearing first come, first served. Haha. That is so me. Shame it only lasted 15 minutes but what an experience!
Seriously, First come first serve sends WAVES of anxiety lol: those are fighting words in my head!! Lol, I dont mind going somehwere early to save myself and preserve my husbands nerves. I think it was a safety issue as well with the wind and all. It was great though and we are glad we made you laugh 🙂
I went to the neighboring island Kuaui and loved our trip there. The only challenge was that things closed quite early in the evening, but we did go to a luau which was fun, and the music and dancing was great. The only regret was that I was a vegetarian at the time, and I missed out on a lot of amazing sushi … which I’m a huge fan of now.
We were super lucky that things didnt close super early in Maui. That would be really frustrating for us since we are out and about during the day and get out later at night 🙂 we love sushi too!!!
Looks like a great way to experience the culture and tradition of Maui. But is’t that a little overpriced considering the show only lasted for 15 minutes? I have never been to US, and have absolutely no idea on the costing part of it! But if the show is worth the value of money, it sure is such a great thing to experience!
The show last for over an hour, the fire dance only last for 15 min. I will go back and clarify on the post.
That has to be the prettiest buffet meal that I have ever seen! I am looking forward to the world opening again to visit Maui! It looks like such a great time!
It was a GREAAT spread. There were soo many things to choose from, honestly this was just a small sample. They also had various salads and protein choices. You will NOT leave this place hungry. We are crossing all our fingers that we can get back out into the big beautiful world and continue to get some amazing experiences 🙂
I have been to a couple different luau’s now on Maui and Oahu and LOVED it each time! They are such a unique cultural experience and something you can’t take part in anywhere else 🙂 Would love to go to another one day!
They really are amazing, the storytelling is beautiful! We would love to go to Oahu and experience one as well 🙂
I haven’t been to Hawaii yet, but when I do go I will be definitely attending a luau. I had no idea that the actual show would only last 15 minutes. That’s a shame.
the show itself is more than an hour. The fire dance is only 15 minutes 🙂 And yes, you absolutely should experience a Luau
Oh I want to experience a luau so bad! I love your video – it makes me want to go so bad!
It really was a beautiful way to spend the evening. We are glad you enjoyed the videos, and hopefully you have a chance to experience one first hand 🙂
Hawaii is obviously in my bucket-list. Since I love cultural experiences I’m going to save this. It sounds a bit expensive, don’t you think so?
Hawaii overall is a pricy place to vacation compared to even some European countries 🙁 That being said, in our opinion it was worth it because of all the live performances and the overall experience. There is also an open bar, we dont drink so we obviously didnt highlight that part 🙂 We hope you have a chance to visit Hawaii and have some amazing experiences as well 🙂
Sounds like you had a great time! I haven’t been to this specific Lu’au, but I live in Kauai and have been to the ones here. They really are a must if you want culture. I take all my visitors!
Wowww Kauai is on our list for when we go back to Hawaii, it’s nice to hear from a local 🙂 The experience really was magical and we would do it again in a heartbeat!
This looks like such a fun place to be at. I love those cute food items😍😍
It was a great cultural experience and was a lot of fun!!! The food was presented beautifully and really was delicious 🙂
This brings back some great memories of my luau on the Big Island. So much fun and looks like yours was great too 🙂
Yes, it was a great experience and we truly did create some great memories. We are glad our post was able to take you down memory lane. Fingers crossed we can all get back out into the big beautiful world and create some more memories soon! 🙂
I agree you made a great decision on premium seating for the luau. Being closer to the front makes you feel less like a spectator and more like you’re part of the show. They did a great job in allowing you to go first for food to avoid potential cross contamination. I typically steer clear of buffets for this exact reason.
Absolutely! When we got to the actual venue we saw how far back the regular seating went and we both agreed it was money well spent. The consideration they showed us regarding our dietary needs really was amazing. We honestly were not expecting them to remember or go to such lengths considering the amount of guests they had at the event. 🙂
I didn’t end up going to a luau in Hawaii, and I might actually regret it now. At the time it seemed rather expensive, the timing meant there was only one possible day we could have done it, and I wasn’t sure about the food since they mostly talked about all the amazing meat (and I’m a vegetarian). In the end we opted for not doing it, but I also know I will be back in Hawaii because I loved it so much, so this is really making me rethink for next time
We totally understand the food frustrations! We actually called them before booking the tickets to make sure there was stuff we could eat. They also have an open bar for people who drink (we dont) We dont eat pork and were limited to seafood but the organizers were kind enough to give us their vegetarian plates as well as the full buffet, which had fish options. We went in thinking it was pricey but the production value and overally experience made it super worth it! Hopefully we all have a chance to get back out and explore 🙂
A Hawaiian Luau is SO high on my bucket list! I’m a little surprised by the price, especially since you said the fire dancing, which is a major highlight, is so short.
A luau is for sure bucket-list worthy! We didnt mention that there is an open bar included in the price ( not high on our list since we dont drink) but that along witht the amount of performers and live talent justified the price for us. Hawaii in general is pricey when compared to other vacation spots but this cultural experience is worth the splurge! We hope you get a chance to check it off your bucket list soon!
Maui looks just awesome, it is a destination I really want to go, thanks for this guide, the nights there seems highly cultural and fun
Maui really is stunning. We hope you get a chance to experience this beautiful island first hand.
I’m from New Zealand and we are very proud of our Haka! I hope you do get to visit there. I always get goosebumps when I hear it. Great post! Thanks for sharing 💛
NZ is on our list of places to visit! We were actually looking into NZ and Austrailia since you guys have handeled Covid so well and health wise are looking awesome! Sadley US citizens are not high in demand as visitors right now 🙁 fingers crossed we get this situation under control and can safely go back to exploring the world! Thank you for your appreciation!!
This is in my bucket list since forever…..I couldn’t stop reading your blog post. Can’t wait to travel again so I could eventually go to Maui!!!
Thank you for the post appreciation! We are waiting to get back to traveling as well 🙁 Our new favorite weekend activity is planning our dream vacation in our head (crying silently) fingers and toes crossed we all can get back to exploring soon!
On the travel wish list! Would love to visit Maui. Certainly attending a traditional luau would be high on my list too. Preferred seating sounds like a great choice. I am sure it was great to get the history of the island through the dance shows. But I do love a great fire show. So I would make sure to stay to the end!
Yay! Maui should 100% be on your travel wish list. To be honest, Sophie wasnt super excited about Maui but once she got there.. she converted over to Maui-lover! The entire experience seems like a dream. The people are warm and the luau was such a wholesome way to learn about the culture through food and dance! Thank you for the appreciation.
I have been put of by the price of a Luau but this sways me towards going for it! I will definately go for the preferred seating and stay through the very end! Great tips
Hi Molly, yes the price does raise a few brows especially if you are going with a family but its a great way to have a cultural experience with great food and music. We are glad you enjoyed the tips 🙂
Cool experience. I’ve only seen a luau on TV, and they always seemed a little cliched to me. But it looks like the actual experience is spectacular. I would have loved to see the fire dancing too. Sure, it’s short, but it must have been quite thrilling. If I ever visit Honolulu (unlikely, it’s on the other side of the world to me), I would definitely like to see a luau.
Tv and real life were different for sure! Every island has their own version of a luau so Im sure the Honolulu version will be amazing as well. Mau’s was an absolute delight.
Luau reminds me of experiencing Kecak dance in Bali. I love attending these cultural events to know more about a new place and culture. Glad there was food and few vegan options, good for me. When in Maui, I am surely going to book one of these and experience!
Oh yes, cultural events are soo important for us when we are exploring a new place. It was great to see the story telling being told through dance and song. The food options were great and the best part was everything taste delicious 🙂
I never knew about Luau before reading your post, but it really looks interesting to attend such cultural thing in Maui. I am totally sold out for perfect sunset with live music, exotic food and some authentic performances. Good to know Preferred seating is worth buying and I would also love to have food on table while watching the show. Food is really tempting me as it is also well plated.
Oh yay, Im glad you found out something new and exciting about Maui. The food is actually served buffet style the only food that came pre – plated was the vegetarian dishes to avoid any cross contamination. The dessert was served table side and the overall experience is one that everyone should experience once in a lifetime for sure 🙂
I would love to visit Maui one day. Attending a traditional luau sounds like a fabulous experience to learn about the history of the island. As for the fire dancing, you know the old saying – always save the best for last! Thanks a lot for sharing this beautiful experience 🙂
In our opinion, this was one of the best ways to really absorb everything. It was beautiful and the host of the evening really made it so that everyone was engaged in the experience. Even husband deareast who is not a big history buff, still remembers some of the stories. And yes, they for sure saved the best for last.. totally worth it 🙂 We hope you get to experience Maui one day first hand as well 🙂
There is always a delight to experience the local culture. I absolutely love attending any such events. It must have been a great experience for you guys to watch luau at your hotel itself. The food looks good too. I would love to experience it someday.
It was a very realxing way to spend an evening for sure! We got the best of both worlds. We got culture and food with the added convenience of not having to leave the hotel. We hope you have a chance to experience first hand how wonderful luaus are. 🙂
Enjoying a luau is definitely one of those things to be experience when in Hawaii. I haven’t been to Maui but it looks very similar to the luau we experienced when we visited The Big Island in Hawaii about 5 years ago. Luckily for us, the best luau on the island was also taking place in the same property we were staying in, just like it was for you. Such a wonderful experience, everything from the way we were welcomed, the hospitality, the drinks, etc. Hawaii is such a beautiful place, isn’t it?
Hawaii is absolutely stunning! We are soo glad you were able to experience an authentic luau. The Big Island is also on our travel list, and yes, being on site really is a luxury when your on vacation and dont have to leave your property to get some great cultural experiences! Fingers crossed we can get back to Hawaii soon, we would love to experience luaus at different cities and see the difference in the stories of the different islands 🙂
I’ve never been to Hawaii nor a luau for that matter. But I would definitely go when I finally make it tonHawaii. Thanks for the detailed review. I had no idea what a luau really consisted of, other than eating. Sounds like a fun, amazing time!
Same! We thought it was all about roasting a pig over a spitfire. Since we dont eat pork we were hesitant, but after doing research we found out it’s a great opportunity to learn about the culture.
At this moment I am ready to do my breakfast, after having my breakfast
coming over again to read further news.
Oh Wow its too beautiful post. The culture of maui (luau) great. I loved it.