Hawaiian Airlines Lei Service

[lilsonicfan]

Sorry to take things a little off topic, but how was your overall experience at Toa Luau? Were you staying at Aulani when you attended? It looks like a great option in a beautiful setting, but then I wonder if the convenience of the Aulani one is worth the extra cost to avoid having to drive there and back.

We were staying in Waikiki when we did the Toa Luau, however, we did drive back to North Shore while staying at Aulani and the drive wasn't bad at all. I did not do the Aulani luau but I did catch it from our balcony and I have to say I thought the Toa Luau seemed like a much better experience for a lot less money. Obviously, I can't really say that with certainty. Though, I'll tell you that we were sat next to a family at the Toa Luau who were in fact at Aulani, and then we ran into them at Aulani a couple of days later - they told us that they did the Aulani Luau and thought the Toa one was much better.

The food at Toa was plentiful and delicious. Here's my pic of my meal, but you could also ask for more.

The luau itself was really really good. My kids enjoyed the pre-luau activities - we cracked open coconuts, made palm leaf crowns, watched them prepare the underground fire pit, and then the show was great. Oh, and it was lovely to be able to swim in Waimea Falls too.

Personally, I think Aulani is excellent as a resort, but there's also a lot to do in the rest of the island, so it's worth having a car.

 

[Finerfam]

We were staying in Waikiki when we did the Toa Luau, however, we did drive back to North Shore while staying at Aulani and the drive wasn't bad at all. I did not do the Aulani luau but I did catch it from our balcony and I have to say I thought the Toa Luau seemed like a much better experience for a lot less money. Obviously, I can't really say that with certainty. Though, I'll tell you that we were sat next to a family at the Toa Luau who were in fact at Aulani, and then we ran into them at Aulani a couple of days later - they told us that they did the Aulani Luau and thought the Toa one was much better.

The food at Toa was plentiful and delicious. Here's my pic of my meal, but you could also ask for more.

The luau itself was really really good. My kids enjoyed the pre-luau activities - we cracked open coconuts, made palm leaf crowns, watched them prepare the underground fire pit, and then the show was great. Oh, and it was lovely to be able to swim in Waimea Falls too.

Personally, I think Aulani is excellent as a resort, but there's also a lot to do in the rest of the island, so it's worth having a car.

Thank you for sharing your experience! The meal looks really tasty! I definitely agree with renting a car to explore the island, although I'm not the driver in my family for vacations so I have to be a little careful to balance driving time and resort time. For the luau, I wanted to make sure that when I pitch Tua Loa to my husband, I'll be able to give a good reason why we should drive an hour to see that one instead of staying in Aulani where we don't have to worry about a long drive back! I'm sure both are great, but my gut keeps saying Tua Loa.

 

[OKW Lover]

Sorry to take things a little off topic, but how was your overall experience at Toa Luau? Were you staying at Aulani when you attended? It looks like a great option in a beautiful setting, but then I wonder if the convenience of the Aulani one is worth the extra cost to avoid having to drive there and back.

Another voice for the Toa Luau. We really enjoyed it. We've done the one at Aulani, which we very much enjoyed. For a change on our last trip with to the Toa Luau and thought it was very good too. There is also stuff to do around the site beforehand. The drive there and back from Aulani does take a bit of time, but we didn't mind it.

 

[Finerfam]

Another voice for the Toa Luau. We really enjoyed it. We've done the one at Aulani, which we very much enjoyed. For a change on our last trip with to the Toa Luau and thought it was very good too. There is also stuff to do around the site beforehand. The drive there and back from Aulani does take a bit of time, but we didn't mind it.

Since you've had the chance to attend both Luaus, did you like one over the other? Is there anything that stands out as being better or worse for either (ex: food, performers, activities)?

 

[OKW Lover]

Since you've had the chance to attend both Luaus, did you like one over the other? Is there anything that stands out as being better or worse for either (ex: food, performers, activities)?

I wouldn't say one was significantly better than the other. Food was about even. The Aulani luau has an interesting story line. The Toa luau emphasized more of the various islands and their style of dancing. It also had more audience involvement.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Wanted to update that we used the service. Worked out well. There was a very nice lady waiting for us at baggage with a sign with our name on it. The leis were very nice. One downside was we arrived at 10am and our room wasn't ready til 3pm and Aulani wont refrigerate them, so they got pretty wilted in the steamy hot car while we were at Pearl Harbor.

 

[Noodlez]

As a few people have asked, I just wanted to say that we received a lei our first time to Aulani. They were given to everyone on arrival. No one asked if we were DVC or cash. There was a small table outside where they would greet you with cold water and a lei on arrival, before you went inside to check in. It was a lovely touch.

 

[VGCgroupie]

As a few people have asked, I just wanted to say that we received a lei our first time to Aulani. They were given to everyone on arrival. No one asked if we were DVC or cash. There was a small table outside where they would greet you with cold water and a lei on arrival, before you went inside to check in. It was a lovely touch.

How long ago was this?

 

[Noodlez]

How long ago was this?

I think my first time was 2019. There were lots of nice little touches that stopped for a while after the pandemic. Some of them have gradually made a come back so I'm still hopeful that this will one day.

 

[jrub]

The flower stands in grocery stores are pretty good places to pick up leis.