What is the best lūʻau on the Big Island?

It depends on where you're staying and what you want from the night. Legends of Hawaiʻi has the biggest production; Mauna Kea Lūʻau has the best food and setting and Imu Mea ʻAi is the most authentic cultural experience.

How much does a Big Island lūʻau cost?

Expect $150 to $275 per adult, depending on the show and seating tier. Kohala Coast resort shows generally price higher than the Kailua-Kona options.

Which Big Island lūʻau is best for kids?

Legends of Hawaiʻi at the Hilton Waikoloa Village, for its scale and kid-focused activities.

Which Big Island lūʻau is closest to Waikoloa?

Legends of Hawaiʻi and Sunset Lūʻau are both walkable from Waikoloa resorts.

Which Big Island lūʻau is closest to Kailua-Kona?

Voyagers of the Pacific Lūʻau, at the Royal Kona Resort and Island Breeze Lūʻau, at the Courtyard King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel are walkable from most downtown hotels.

How far in advance should I book a Big Island lūʻau?

Two to four weeks ahead for most shows in peak season. Kohala Coast resort shows can sell out two to three months out.

Is there a lūʻau in Hilo?

No commercial lūʻau operates in Hilo. The closest cultural equivalent is Imu Mea ʻAi near Pāhoa, a hands-on imu-building experience, or timing a visit to the annual Merrie Monarch hula competition.

Best Hawai’i Island Lūʻau

By Sarah BurchardExpert verified

For lūʻau on Hawaiʻi Island, the best choice depends on where you are staying. You should narrow down your choices between Kailua-Kona and the Kohala Coast, then compare the options within each area based on the show’s offerings, ambiance and price. There are no commercial lūʻau in Hilo, though I'd recommend Hilo-based visitors to check out Imu Mea ʻAi, a hands-on imu-building experience near Pāhoa, or to the annual Merrie Monarch hula competition if your travel dates line up. I've broken this guide into four parts: (1) the best options by where you're staying, Kailua-Kona versus various locations along the Kohala Coast; (2) which show best fits what you want out of the evening; (3) what actually happens at a Big Island lūʻau, for first-timers and (4) the booking mistakes I see visitors make most often.

Sarah Burchard

Editor

Choose by Where You're Staying Choosing the Best Big Island Lūʻau What Actually Happens at a Big Island Lūʻau Before You Book Know Before You Go FAQ

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Choose by Where You're Staying

Downtown Kailua-Kona & Keauhou

Voyagers of the Pacific Lūʻau, at the Royal Kona Resort, is an oceanfront production on Kailua Bay, walkable from most downtown Kailua-Kona hotels. Address: 75-5852 Aliʻi Drive, Kailua-Kona | Schedule: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday | Check-in: 4:45 p.m. | Duration: About 2.5 hours | Price: Starting around $190 per adult, $71 for children 6-11, free for children 5 and under | Includes: Buffet dinner, open bar, imu ceremony, arts and crafts, Polynesian show with fire-knife finale | Parking: $5 validated | BOOK HERE | Reservation window: Book at least two to four weeks ahead in peak season. Best for: Visitors staying downtown who want an easy walk and a classic oceanfront setting. Skip if: You want the most polished production on the island — that's on the Kohala Coast.

Feast & Fire, at the Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa, is set above Keauhou Bay, perfect for guests staying in or near Keauhou. Address: 78-128 Ehukai St., Kailua-Kona | Schedule: Monday and Thursday | Check-in: 5 or 5:30 p.m., seasonal | Duration: About 2.5 to 3 hours | Price: General seating $185 per adult, $90 for children 6-12; Aliʻi private seating $225 adult, $120 child | Includes: Buffet dinner, open bar, 45-minute pre-show Artisan Village with lei-making and poi pounding | Parking: Self-park $10 if not staying on-site | BOOK HERE | Reservation window: One to two weeks ahead in peak season. Best for: Visitors who want more storytelling than a standard variety show. Skip if: You're staying downtown and don't want to drive south to Keauhou.

Royal Kona Resort. Photo by Sarah Burchard.

Historic Kailua-Kona & Nearby

Island Breeze Lūʻau, at the Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel, sits on the historic grounds of King Kamehameha's former estate on Kamakahonu Bay, in the heart of downtown. Address: 75-5660 Palani Road, Kailua-Kona | Schedule: Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday | Check-in: 5:15-5:30 p.m.; ends about 8 p.m. | Duration: About 2.5 hours | Price: Roughly $178-$192 per adult, $89-$96 for children 4-12, free for children 3 and under | Includes: Buffet dinner, open bar, royal-court canoe arrival, hula lessons, storytelling | Parking: Available on-site, validated | Booking: islandbreezeluau.com | Reservation window: One to two weeks ahead in peak season. Best for: Downtown convenience, ocean view and a historic setting. Skip if: You want a bigger, more polished production.

Kaupulehu, roughly midway between Kailua-Kona and Waikoloa, is about a 10-minute drive from Kona International Airport and a short jaunt from either area.

The Polynesian Lūʻau at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai is a seasonal production featured primarily in summer (July and August). It’s held at the resort's Hoku Amphitheater, an outdoor venue built into a lava-rock wall. Address: Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, 100 Ka'upulehu Drive, Kaupulehu-Kona | Schedule: Seasonal, primarily July-August; check the resort's current calendar | Price: $175+ per adult, but confirm current pricing directly, since this isn't a regular weekly show | Includes: Buffet, tropical cocktails, hula and musical performances, fire-knife finale | Parking: Resort valet/self-park | Booking: fourseasons.com/hualalai, or through the resort concierge | Reservation window: Book as soon as your travel dates are confirmed — this runs on limited seasonal dates, not weekly, so it can sell out faster than the year-round shows. Best for: Four Seasons guests, or anyone who wants a smaller, more intimate resort lūʻau in a unique lava-rock amphitheater setting. Skip if: You're locking in specific travel dates months out.

King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel. Photo by Sarah Burchard.

Waikoloa

Resorts along the Kohala Coast run from Waikoloa to Mauna Kea. If you are staying here, I'd only make the 30-40 minute drive down to Kailua-Kona for a lūʻau if one of the three shows above is specifically the one you want or vice versa.

Waikoloa, walkable from the Hilton Waikoloa Village and Waikoloa Beach Marriott, has two options.

Legends of Hawaiʻi, at the Hilton Waikoloa Village, is the largest production on the island. Address: Kamehameha Court, Hilton Waikoloa Village, Waikoloa | Schedule: Tuesday, Friday and Sunday | Check-in: 5 or 6 p.m., seasonal | Duration: About 3 hours | Price: From $238 per adult, with a $30 upgrade to Aliʻi seating | Includes: Buffet dinner, open bar, Tihati Productions show with fire-knife finale | Parking: Self-park $30, valet $37 | Booking: legendsluau.com | Reservation window: Two to four weeks ahead in peak season. Best for: The most polished, highest-production show on the island, and the most kid-friendly. Skip if: You want an oceanfront setting — this runs in an amphitheater, not on the beach.

Sunset Lūʻau, at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott, is smaller and sits directly on ʻAnaehoʻomalu Bay. Address: 69-275 Waikoloa Beach Drive, Waikoloa | Schedule: Monday and Wednesday | Check-in: Gates open around 4 p.m.; show runs 5-8 p.m. | Duration: About 3 hours | Price: Roughly $180-$200 per adult | Includes: Buffet dinner, open bar, imu ceremony, Polynesian hula show with fire-knife finale | Parking: Self-park available | Booking: thesunsetluau.com | Reservation window: Two to three weeks ahead — premium seating sells out first. Best for: Oceanfront seating and sunset views in a smaller, more intimate setting. Skip if: You want the largest-scale production — that's Legends of Hawaiʻi next door.

Waikōloa. Photo by Kirk Lee Aeder / Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority.

Mauna Lani & Fairmont Orchid

Mauna Lani and Fairmont Orchid — for guests staying at these resorts.

Hawaiʻiloa Lūʻau, at the Fairmont Orchid's Plantation Estate, is the primary option for this area. Address: 1 North Kaniku Drive, Waimea (Kohala Coast) | Schedule: Saturdays, plus seasonal Wednesdays | Check-in: 5:30 p.m.; buffet 6 p.m.; show 7 p.m. | Duration: About 3 hours | Price: Ohana (standard) seating $214 per adult, $110 per child; Aliʻi (VIP) seating $251 adult, $147 child | Includes: Buffet dinner, hosted bar, Polynesian hula show with fire-knife finale | Parking: Valet $15, or free self-park with validation | Booking: fairmont.com | Reservation window: One to two weeks ahead in peak season. Best for: Central Kohala Coast convenience if you're staying at the Fairmont Orchid or nearby. Skip if: You'd rather stay at your own resort — Mauna Lani guests also have Hale Hoaloha Lūʻau on-property as a newer, pricier alternative.

Photo courtesy of Fairmont Orchid.

Mauna Kea

Mauna Kea — the northernmost Kohala Coast resort, with a longer drive from Waikoloa and Mauna Lani.

Mauna Kea Lūʻau, at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, is the island's longest-running show with an ocean view of Kaunaʻoa Bay. Address: Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Kaunaʻoa Bay, Kohala Coast | Schedule: Every Tuesday | Check-in: 5:30 p.m. | Duration: About 2.5 hours | Price: From $235 per adult; check current tiers | Includes: Buffet dinner, welcome mai tai, Polynesian hula and fire-knife show | Parking: Valet available | Booking: maunakearesort.com | Reservation window: Two to three weeks ahead in peak season. Best for: Oceanfront sunset seating. Skip if: You're not staying on the Kohala Coast — this is the longest drive from Kailua-Kona of any option covered here.

Choosing the Best Big Island Lūʻau

Once you know where you are staying and which lūʻau are near you, here's how I'd pick a show by what matters most to me.

Best cultural experience: Imu Mea ʻAi, near Pāhoa (about 30 minutes south of Hilo). It's not a staged lūʻau at all — no stage, no open bar — but a four-hour, hands-on experience building a traditional imu with a Native Hawaiian nonprofit, ending in a shared feast. I'd pick this over any resort show if authenticity matters more than the show. Learn more at imumeaai.com

Best high-production show: Legends of Hawaiʻi at the Hilton Waikoloa Village. It's the largest-scale, most polished production on the island.

Best oceanfront setting: Mauna Kea Lūʻau and Feast & Fire at the Outrigger Kona Resort. Both put you steps from the water rather than on a set-back lawn.

Best for families: Legends of Hawaiʻi, for its high production level and kid-focused activities built into the evening.

Best value: Voyagers of the Pacific Lūʻau at the Royal Kona Resort — the least expensive of the shows covered here.

Best resort convenience: Hawaiʻiloa Lūʻau at the Fairmont Orchid (centrally located on the Kohala Coast) and Voyagers of the Pacific at the Royal Kona Resort (centrally located in Kailua-Kona).

King Kamehamehaʻs Kona Hotel. Photo by Sarah Burchard.

What Actually Happens at a Big Island Lūʻau

If this is your first lūʻau, here's roughly how the evening runs.

Arrival and imu ceremony. Most shows open with the unearthing of the imu, the underground pit where the pork has been slow-cooking all day. It's one of the most photographed moments of the night, so arrive early for a good spot.
Cocktail hour. Mai tais and other tropical drinks flow before dinner. Confirm whether the open bar includes premium pours or just well drinks and beer.
Buffet dinner. Expect kālua pork, poi, lomi salmon, chicken long rice and haupia, alongside non-Hawaiian options for picky eaters or kids.
The show. Hula, fire-knife dancing and Polynesian storytelling typically run 60 to 90 minutes and close the evening.
Timing. Most shows run 5 to 8:30 p.m., with earlier start times in winter as the sun sets sooner.

What Actually Happens at a Big Island Lūʻau

Before You Book

Book your window early. Book two to four weeks out, minimum, during peak season (holidays and summer months). Kohala Coast resort shows can fill two to three months ahead.
Check for discounts. Costco Travel and hotel activity desks sometimes beat the direct-booking price — compare before you buy.
Ask yourself if it’s worth the drive. Waikoloa to Kailua-Kona is about a 30 to 40 minute drive. The highways get very dark after the sun goes down. Factor drive time into which show you pick, not just which one looks best online. A lūʻau lasts about three hours, usually, and after eating and drinking you may be too tired to drive a long distance.
Consider a seating upgrade. Premium seating usually adds $30 to $60 per ticket. Whether it's worth it depends on the size of the venue and how close to the stage you want to be.
Dress resort casual. Bring a light jacket in case you get chilly after the sun goes down. I always pack an umbrella too, just in case.
Rideshare. Rideshare is very hit-or-miss on Hawaiʻi Island, especially in Kailua-Kona. I would plan to take a rental car or attend a lūʻau where you are staying, if available.
Check age minimums and kid pricing. Most shows price children ages 6-12 separately, with younger kids often free.

Courtesy of Fairmont Orchid.