IS a Luau really worth the $$

[msaseifert]

SO we will be at Aulani the end of July with my hubby and my kids that are 17 & ALMOST 21! I have done a bit of research on Luaus and honestly I'm not impressed with what I have read about what is available. I cant see spending almost $500 on something that is more of a tourist trap. We are willing to pay that much if its WORTH it.......any Luau's that are actually worth the cost and are somewhat authentic? I mean....my kids are not into face painting and activities that are juvenile....ya know? I would rather spend that money going to a couple of awesome dinners rather than tourist trap stuff. Thoughts???

 

[dvc at last !]

interested in this also ......

 

[alohamom]

(To give some context to my reply)-We were on the island of Kauai in 1999 with our daughter and happened to find ourselves in beautiful sprawling Lydgate Park on a Saturday at the playground. We heard some Hawaiian chanting coming from another area so we went to investigate. In an covered outdoor pavilion was a group of kids attending a hula class with a huge man singing the chant and instructing the girls. It was one of the most incredible things I have ever seen, sooo authentic and incredibly well done and they were not performing for an audience, this was just a regular weekly class. I had been to a luau a few years before this and I remember thinking how authentic and polished this one little class was compared to the flash and bling of the luau. We go to Hawaii quite a bit and I honestly feel luaus are a huge tourist trap but I certainly would never judge anyone who wanted to attend one, as I say, I have been myself because I thought that is something you "must do". There are many other ways to see and experience Hawaiian culture, including the free hula shows they hold in Waikiki at Kuhio Beach and the free keiki (kids) hula at Ala Moana on Sundays at 1pm (links below) Yes they do not include fire and knives and the spectacle of those things but they also do not have a huge price tag attached and you are not herded like cattle to eat awful food and watered down drinks. I have yet to attend but I understand the Star Lit Hui at Aulani gives you a very nice taste of hula, ukuele etc as well and of course, it is included. If you watch on YouTube any of the Merrie Monarch festival that happens on Big Island every spring, you will see that many luau costumes have been tailored for tourists (coconut bras come to mind) and are kind of removed from authentic hula.
I do understand that people equate a luau with Hawaii and may feel that their Hawaiian holiday isnt complete without having attended one, but there is so much more to Hawaii than this and I honestly think there isnt great value to them, but that is just me. There are lots of people on these boards that have enjoyed them and think they are a once in a life time/must do type of event.



http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/12/13/kuhio-beach-free-hula-show/
http://www.alamoanacenter.com/Events/Centertainment.aspx?m=3

 

[Gorechick]

We were at Aulani for a quick 4 night/5 day trip at the end of January and only attended the Starlit Hui. We did not feel the need or make any plans to see the Paradise Cove or any other luau show. We thought the Starlit Hui was well done and very entertaining. I say save the big bucks and go for a nice dinner at Aulani and see the Hui.

 

[dclpluto]

Go to Polynesian cultural center you can get a ticket for under 100 dollars I believe it was for all day At the Polynesian cultural center with the luau.im sure it's not as good as other places but For me and my wife it was worth it.

 

[mjh2901]

My wife wanted to do the polynesian cultural center but it changed a number of years ago when the Mormon Church bought it
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUser...ynesian_Cultural_Center-Laie_Oahu_Hawaii.html

It's no longer recommended.
If you search trip advisor everything else is more expensive. We skipped doing one entirely and feel we missed nothing.

 

[wanderlust7]

We saw the show, "Ha", at the Polynesian Cultural Center a few years ago. I thought it was great, like a cross between a Broadway show and a luau show. The performers were awesome, so was the fire dancing. I don't know how authentic it is, I don't think fire dancing is traditionally Hawaiian, but we enjoyed it. We had a deal for the show and dinner (the Island Buffet). The food was meh - think HomeTown Buffet but worse.

Many years ago (maybe 15?) we did the whole day thing and visited the "villages". Some are more interesting than others, Samoa was my favorite. I remember it being very hot since everything is outdoors. I think the PCC has always been owned by the Mormon Church. I didn't really notice the connection though, besides no alcohol. I might not have noticed that either if I hadn't read it online.

 

[skylynx]

We are some of those folks who won't skip the luau experience on a first trip to Hawaii...after lots of researching, we have reservations at the Voyagers of the Pacific Luau at the Royal Kona on the Big Island one of the nights we are staying there while island hopping from Aulani in early December. Trip Advisor gave it four stars. As either hotel guests or with a couple of online promotions from Big Island travel websites, the price was $70 per adult for the three hour show including tax, gratuities, and complimentary Mai Tais or other alcoholic beverages. It's ok if the Mai Tais are watered down as long as I can have as many as I want! I drink water with cocktails anyway, so it's kind of the same effect. This one is performed oceanfront with the sunset as the back drop, so it looked pretty good compared to others we considered. We've done the "luau" at the Polynesian resort at WDW and really enjoyed the dancers. Probably something we will only do once, but we WILL do it once.

 

[nkereina]

I've been researching luaus quite a bit in an effort to pick the right one, since we're interested in seeing one. I have read that the one at the Polynesian Cultural Center is a very good show, one of the better ones. However, they do not serve alcohol and we can stomach the price a little better for the other luaus knowing it's open bar.

If you are spending any time in Maui, it's my understanding that the Old Lahaina Luau is the most authentic to the Hawaiian culture and does not incorporate other cultures from the South Pacific like most other luaus do.

 

[cleophus12]

I too am feeling like the original poster. I feel like I have done the homework, and I'm just not seeing any reviews that make we want to dish out that kind of money for bad food and a tourist trap. We have seen the Starlight Hui and enjoyed it very much. I am beginning to think I'd rather spend my money on a nice dinner at Ama Ama (which we have also enjoyed before) and just attend the Starlight Hui again. I'm sure the one at the Polynesian Culture Center is probably good, but it is all the way across the island, and I'd just rather not make the drive and spend the money. I'm interested in following this thread to see what others have to say. Anyone have anything to say about the Fia Fia luau at the Marriott near Aulani? That one is still on my "possible" list.

 

[Michael623]

I can tell you while the entertainment at Germaine's was ok, the food was absolutely terrible and I am not a picky eater at all. I literally ate dinner rolls and chocolate cake for $85 because that was all I could choke down. We've been to Hawaii twice and we've done two luaus and I've told my wife that if she wants to go to a luau next time we go to Hawaii she'll be going alone. My opinion matches other reviews above, totally overpriced (even with a coupon) tourist trap with terrible food.

 

[msaseifert]

I thank each of you for your responses. I feel like my decision will be to skip an "actual"?? luau in favor of a nice dinner out somewhere. I just cant see paying that much for ok entertainment & crap food. My kids are older and would appreciate the nicer dinner. Since Aulani has their show we will just plan to have a couple of drinks and then attend that instead.

 

[BabaBooeyNoin]

Attended a luau at the Hale Koa hotel, and also one on the Big Island. Didn't really care for it too much. The food wasn't anything worth writing home, and the entertainment was cheesy. I would have rather used that money to go out to eat at some fine dining establishment.

 

[Bunless]

Going to agree with the comment about the food at Germaine's. Just terrible.

The first time we went to Oahu, we went to PCC without doing homework. We spent several hours prior to the show walking around PCC. I had big, big issues with the glossing over/glorification of what the missionaries did to the indigenous peoples of Polynesia. So by the time we got to the Luau and they sang a western hymn as an opening prayer, I couldn't take it anymore and walked out, directing my poor husband to find the nearest bar. NOW, that is me and I have my own issues, that is not going to be most people's experience.

The second time we went to Oahu we went to Germaine's. Maybe it would have been a better experience if I hadn't had just finished Sarah Vowell's 'Unfamiliar Fishes'. Instead, my head filled with stories about the queen waiting for her brother to return while sitting on a bed of yellow feathers from a now extinct bird, which is why the luau costume is cheap polyester instead of feathers.

I've seen the Starlight Hui twice, and felt that the dancing was genuinely more authentic in its presentation and performance than either of the luau's. Maybe that is because of the conversations I was able to have with the cultural staff at Aulani that I came to that opinion? I don't know for certain... but I can't see going to either of those Luau's ever again, and I can't imagine missing the Hui next time we go back.

 

[kungaloosh22]

One thing to note about the Polynesian Cultural Center is that their luau and the evening "Ha" show are 2 different beasts. We thought the luau (with dinner) was terrible, but the evening theater show was great. Keep in mind that was about 20 years ago, so maybe things have changed, but based on reviews I've read, I'm guessing they haven't really.

I think luaus are notorious for having terrible food, so I look for reviews of the show portion and just don't expect much from the food or drinks. One luau with good food is the smaller, more expensive Feast at Lele on Maui.

For our next trip to Oahu, we're planning to go to the Chief's Luau, as we had a wonderful, personal interaction with the Chief so many years ago when he was the "coconut man" at the Polynesian Cultural Center. This luau does get decent reviews (as luaus go), but it isn't very close to Aulani. We'll go there while we're staying in Waikiki. I realize Fia Fia is the same company and much easier to get to, but we like the look of the Chief's Luau setting.

 

[quinnc19]

Has anyone been to the Sheraton's on Maui?