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Best Lūʻau on Kauaʻi

Best Lūʻau on Kauaʻi

Sarah Burchard
By Sarah BurchardExpert verified

Most of Kauaʻi's lūʻau are located on the south shore and east side, where most of the island's resorts and large event spaces are. There are several good options to choose from, so the decision isn't whether to go or not, it's more of a question of which location and schedule works best for you. Lūʻau Kalamaku at Kilohana Plantation does a stellar production on a property with lots to do — you could spend a half day here. Smith's Family Garden Lūʻau is the most affordable and the best fit for families who want to explore a unique garden setting. Havaiki Nui at the Grand Hyatt has great food in an upscale setting. Auliʻi Lūʻau at the Sheraton Kauaʻi in Poʻipū is oceanfront and Native Hawaiian family-owned. The Wailua Nui Lūʻau at the Hilton Garden Inn is the newest and best location for visitors staying on the Coconut Coast. Most of Kauaʻi's lūʻau are located on the south shore and east side, where most of the island's resorts and large event spaces are. There are several good options to choose from, so the decision isn't whether to go or not, it's more of a question of which location and schedule works best for you. Lūʻau Kalamaku at Kilohana Plantation does a stellar production on a property with lots to do — you could spend a half day here. Smith's Family Garden Lūʻau is the most affordable and the best fit for families who want to explore a unique garden setting. Havaiki Nui at the Grand Hyatt has great food in an upscale setting. Auliʻi Lūʻau at the Sheraton Kauaʻi in Poʻipū is oceanfront and Native Hawaiian family-owned. The Wailua Nui Lūʻau at the Hilton Garden Inn is the newest and best location for visitors staying on the Coconut Coast. Choose based on where you're staying, which nights fit your schedule and what kind of setting matters to you. Does being on a former plantation sound interesting to you? Would you rather be on an oceanfront resort lawn? How about a 30-acre botanical garden along the Wailua River?

SB
Sarah Burchard
Editor
Best Kauaʻi Lūʻau by CategoryWhat to Expect at a Kauaʻi LūʻauPractical Tips Before You BookKnow Before You GoFAQ

Best Kauaʻi Lūʻau by Category

Best Cultural Perspective

Auliʻi Lūʻau at Sheraton Kauaʻi Resort

Native Hawaiian owned and operated, Auliʻi is choreographed and directed by Mi Nei Oliver-Martins and her ʻohana — all born and raised on Kauaʻi.

The oceanfront experience begins with interactive cultural activities including fishnet throwing, coconut husking, poi pounding, hula implements, coconut palm weaving and lei making. A Hawaiian hula show at 5:30 p.m. kicks off the buffet, followed by "KAKOU! A Celebration of Polynesia" — a Polynesian performance covering Tahiti, Hawaiʻi, Aotearoa and Samoa, ending with the Siva Afi fire-knife dance.

There are two seating tiers. The Aloha Package includes standard seating at shared banquet tables and the Aliʻi Package includes premier seating in the front four rows, tableside appetizers, first dibs on the buffet and a special lei greeting.

Address: Sheraton Kauaʻi Resort, 2440 Hoonani Road, Kōloa (South Shore)

Phone: 808-634-1499

Email: info@auliiluau.com

Schedule: October through February, check-in 5 p.m., March through September, check-in 5:30 p.m.

Show schedule: 5 p.m. check-in and cultural activities, 5:30 p.m. hula show and buffet, 6:30 p.m. Polynesian show and 7:30 p.m. photo opportunity with performers

Price: Aloha Package (standard seating) from $186, Aliʻi Package (premier seating) from $225 per adult

Parking: Valet or self-parking in the parking lot on Kapili Road (follow event parking signs)

Book at: auliiluau.com/book-now

Poi pounding. Photo by Heather Goodman / Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority.
Poi pounding. Photo by Heather Goodman / Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority.

Best for Families with Kids

Smith's Family Garden Lūʻau

For more than 50 years, four generations of the Smith family have hosted their lūʻau along the Wailua River. Set in a botanical garden — with peacocks, fruit trees and ponds — families can explore the 30-acre property by foot or by tram before the show begins, giving kids the opportunity to play and experience new things. The imu ceremony, torch-lit amphitheater seating and "Rhythms of Aloha" show start at $150 per adult — one of the most affordable lūʻau on Kauaʻi. This is an excellent choice for families on a budget, looking for a laid back, rainforest setting.

Address: 3-5971 Kūhiō Hwy., Kapaʻa

Operating days: Three to five nights per week (schedule varies by season)

Start time: 4:45 or 5 p.m. depending on season

Price: From $150 per adult

Includes: Shell lei greeting, imu ceremony, garden walk or tram, buffet dinner, open bar, show

Parking: Free on-site

Book at: smithskauai.com

A family strings lei together at a lūʻau.
A family strings lei together at a lūʻau.

Lūʻau Kalamaku

Lūʻau Kalamaku at Kilohana Plantation is another good family option. This lūʻau offers an additional pre-show activity that families with kids especially enjoy — a ride on the Kauaʻi Plantation Railway through the plantation grounds, sugarcane fields and tropical gardens. You can also opt for round-trip transportation from all major resort areas and upgrade to a four-course dinner at Gaylord's Restaurant in the historic manor house if you are looking for something extra special. The way the seating is set up around the stage, means there is no bad seat in the house. The show takes you on a Polynesian voyage with fire knife dancers and hula from multiple islands in the Pacific.

Lūʻau Kalamaku at Kilohana Plantation

Address: 3-2087 Kaumualii Hwy., Līhuʻe, HI 96766

Phone: 877-622-1780

Operating days: Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays

Start time: 6:15 p.m.

Price: From $189 (Hawaiian Package) to $274 (Manor House Experience); children ages 3 to 12, $59 to $92

Includes: Buffet dinner or four-course dinner (Manor House tier), open bar, cultural show, optional train ride and transportation available as add-ons

Parking: Free on-site

Booking: Manor House / Hawaiian Package / Gold Package w/ transportation / Gold Package w/ train ride / Gold Package w/ transportation & train ride

Kilohana Plantation. Photo by John Hook / Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority.
Kilohana Plantation. Photo by John Hook / Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority.

Best for Resort Convenience

Havaiki Nui at the Grand Hyatt

For visitors staying on the south shore, Havaiki Nui is held on an oceanfront lawn at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa in Poʻipū. It has some of the best food on the island with a buffet featuring kālua pork, grass-fed local beef, fresh fish and huli huli chicken. The Polynesian show covers Tahiti, Samoa, New Zealand and Hawaiʻi, ending with a Siva Afi fire-knife finale. The show runs Wednesdays and Saturdays from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Free valet and self-parking available on-site.

Address: Grand Hyatt Kauaʻi Resort & Spa, 1571 Poʻipū Road, KōloaPhone: 808-240-6320Operating days: Wednesdays and Saturdays

Start time: Check-in 5:15 p.m., show 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Price: From $215 per adult (standard), kamaʻāina discounts availableIncludes: Cultural activities, buffet dinner, open bar, Polynesian hula show, runs rain or shine (moves indoors if needed)

Parking: Free self-parking and valet on-site

Book at: grandhyattkauailuau.com

Wailua Nui Lūʻau

For visitors staying on the East Side, Wailua Nui Lūʻau at the Hilton Garden Inn Kauaʻi Wailua Bay is a convenient alternative, near many other resorts along the Coconut Coast. This is one of the newest shows on the island, debuting in 2025, featuring an imu ceremony with kālua pig and Hawaiian storytelling depicting the history of Wailua.

Address: Hilton Garden Inn Kauaʻi Wailua Bay 3-5920 Kūhiō Hwy., Kapaʻa, HI 96746Operating days: Sundays, Tuesdays and FridaysStart time: 5 p.m.Price: From $175 per adult, children ages 3 to 10, $95, children 2 and under freeIncludes: Buffet dinner, open bar, imu ceremony, showParking: Resort parking available

Book at: Contact the resort directly for current booking link

Wailua Nui Lūʻau. Photo courtesy of Hilton Garden Inn.
Wailua Nui Lūʻau. Photo courtesy of Hilton Garden Inn.

Best for a Special Occasion

Lūʻau Kalamaku Manor House Experience

For visitors looking for an extra special evening, the Lūʻau Kalamaku Manor House Experience includes a champagne and lei greeting, four-course dinner at Gaylord's Restaurant in the historic Kilohana Manor House courtyard, using estate-grown produce, and cocktails at the Mango Bar all before the show. From there, you and your loved one will have front row seats to the show.

Tickets are $274 per adult — the most expensive lūʻau experience on Kauaʻi, but worth it.

Best for a Special Occasion

What to Expect at a Kauaʻi Lūʻau

Imu Ceremony & Cocktails

The imu ceremony begins early in the evening. Many Kauaʻi lūʻau begin with the unearthing of the kālua pig from the imu — the underground cooking pit where the pig has been roasting since morning. This is a cultural ceremony and one of the most memorable moments of the evening. Smith's, Lūʻau Kalamaku and Wailua Nui all include a live imu ceremony. Auliʻi Lūʻau at the Sheraton and Havaiki Nui at the Grand Hyatt do not — worth knowing if this is important to you. Arrive on time, so you don’t miss it.

Cocktail hour and cultural activities come before the show. Before or after the imu, most shows offer cocktail hour with mai tais and other tropical drinks and cultural activity stations — for example, lei making, ukulele lessons and games. The bar is typically open for the full evening. Confirm whether your ticket includes a standard or premium bar before you arrive — a few shows have different offerings depending on your tier.

Imu ceremony at Wailua Lūʻau. Photo courtesy of Hilton Garden Inn.
Imu ceremony at Wailua Lūʻau. Photo courtesy of Hilton Garden Inn.

Dinner

Dinner is buffet-style at most shows. Expect kālua pork, poi, lomi salmon, chicken long rice, haupia (coconut pudding) and rice. The spread will consist of both Hawaiian and non-Hawaiian dishes for guests who want something more familiar. Most lūʻau accommodate vegetarian and gluten-free diets with advance notice — contact the operator when booking, not after arriving. Pace yourself during cocktail hour, dinner and the show are the main events and the buffet is usually replenished throughout the evening so you can go back as many times as you like.

The show runs 60 to 90 minutes. The main performance covers hula, Polynesian dance from multiple island traditions and — at most Kauaʻi shows — a fire-knife finale. The storyline will vary by show. Wailua Nui tells the story of Kauaʻi by focusing on Wailua specifically, whereas Auliʻi Lūʻau tells a broader story of Polynesia, for example. 

Dinner

Weather & How to Dress

Most shows run from 5 to 8:30 p.m. and start times shift seasonally. Winter shows begin earlier to account for an earlier sunset. Confirm the current schedule when booking. The entire evening including arrival, dinner and show is typically three to three and a half hours.

Dress for an outdoor evening. Resort casual is the standard dress code across all Kauaʻi lūʻaus — aloha shirts, sundresses, lightweight layers. Most shows are fully or partially open-air, and Kauaʻi evenings can cool off after sunset, particularly on the east side where trade winds are more consistent. Bring a light jacket, just in case.

Weather & How to Dress

Practical Tips Before You Book

Tickets

Book earlier than feels necessary during peak season. December through April and June through August are the busiest times of the year in Hawaiʻi. Popular shows fill one to two weeks ahead, so book accordingly. Lūʻau Kalamaku, with its smaller capacity, fills fast. If a specific night matters to you — or you have a group you are trying to coordinate — reserve in advance before you land on Kauaʻi, not after you check in.

Check for deals before booking direct. Our website, sites like Costco Travel and hotel activity desks occasionally offer lūʻau tickets at discounted rates. It takes five minutes to check and it could save you up to $150 to $275 per adult, especially for large groups.

Understand seating tiers before you buy the base ticket. Most lūʻau on Kauaʻi offer standard and premium seating at different price points. At Lūʻau Kalamaku, the standard seating is already good, so the upgrade to Manor House is more about the dinner experience before the show, not a better view. At Havaiki Nui, premium seating places you closer to the stage. Ask specifically where standard seating sits relative to the performance before assuming the base ticket is the best choice.

Pricing & Getting There

Rideshare after dark on the east side is less reliable than in Poʻipū. If you're attending Smith's or Wailua Nui and aren't driving, confirm rideshare availability in the area before you book or arrange transportation through the lūʻau operator in advance. Lūʻau Kalamaku offers round-trip shuttle service from major resort areas — worth adding if you're staying in Poʻipū or on the North Shore.

Arrive at check-in time, not show time. Pre-show cultural activities, the imu ceremony and cocktail hour are part of the evening and typically run 60 to 90 minutes before the main performance. Arriving late means missing all of these interactive experiences. Most check-ins open 30 to 60 minutes before the listed start time.

Confirm children's pricing and age minimums when booking. Most Kauaʻi lūʻau accept children. Children's pricing typically applies between ages 3 and 12 and children 2 and under are usually free. Wailua Nui specifically lists children ages 3 to 10 at $95 and toddlers 2 and under as free. Confirm the current policy for the show you're booking as terms vary.

Book Luau

Kauai: Luau Ka Hikina Admission with Dinner and Lei GreetingKauaʻiFree cancellation

Kauai: Luau Ka Hikina Admission with Dinner and Lei Greeting

You cannot leave Kauai without an authentic luau experience, and to get one you need only visit us at the newest, most exciting and authentic luau on the island. Fronting the ancient royal surfing grounds. From the impressive torch lighting ceremony that kicks off the evening’s festivities to the mesmerizing hula kahiko (ancient hula) dances performed under the direction of an award-winning kumu hula (hula master) Leilani Rivera Low, Luau Ka Hikina invites you to experience a memorable evening celebrating Hawaiian and Polynesian culture, complete with a locally sourced, traditional Hawaiian feast with a modern point of view and live music.

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Wailua Nui Luau at Kauai Hilton Garden InnKauaʻiFree cancellation

Wailua Nui Luau at Kauai Hilton Garden Inn

Experience the magic of old Hawaii at the Wailua Nui Luau, set along the stunning shoreline of Wailua Bay. Guests are welcomed with a fresh flower lei upon arrival. Indulge in a sumptuous self-service buffet showcasing island culinary favorites. Witness the captivating imu ceremony, and enjoy mesmerizing Hawaiian and Polynesian performances including the exhilarating Samoan Fire-knife dance. Engage in interactive skilled arts before the show, making this luau a full cultural journey while gentle ocean breezes enhance the experience.

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Kauai: Luau Kalamaku with Manor House 4-Course Dinner & ShowKauaʻiFree cancellation

Kauai: Luau Kalamaku with Manor House 4-Course Dinner & Show

The Manor House Evening package includes a signature four-course meal at Gaylords at Kilohana. Under the direction of Chef de Cuisine you'll delight in a unique menu featuring meats, fish and produce, including fruits and vegetables from Kilohana Plantation’s 60-acre orchard and agricultural park. Celebrate with a champagne toast and walk over to the adjacent pavilion to enjoy the show from the best seats in the house telling the story of ancient Hawaiian's epic sea voyage from Tahiti to Kauai. Enjoy a complimentary pre-show Mai Tai from your premier seat before the lights dim, signaling the start of the theatrical and fiery show.

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Kauai: Luau Kalamaku with Buffet Dinner and ShowKauaʻiFree cancellation

Kauai: Luau Kalamaku with Buffet Dinner and Show

Welcoming guests to Kauai since 2007, Luau Kalamaku is Hawaii's only luau show performed “in-the-round,” offering optimal views of the stage. Witness the unearthing of the pig from the traditional imu (underground oven) and enjoy a hula lesson. A craft fair featuring unique items by local artisans awaits on the sprawling lawn. Feast on a delicious buffet of local and familiar favorites and enjoy a Mai Tai from the open bar. The main show tells the amazing story of the ancient Hawaiian legend of Kalamaku “child of the new land." Through laughter, fear, seduction and fire, a new legacy is created, born from the cherished seeds of their ancestors. The theatrical luau show culminates with a fantastic fire dream featuring fire poi balls and traditional fire knife dancing.

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Insider Tips

Know Before You Go

  1. 1Peak-season shows (December through April and June through August) sell out one to two weeks ahead on Kauaʻi. Lūʻau Kalamaku, with its smaller capacity, fills fastest. Book before you land.
  2. 2Prices run approximately $150 to $275 per adult depending on the show and seating tier. Children's pricing typically applies to ages 3 through 12. Toddlers 2 and under are usually free.
  3. 3Most shows accommodate vegetarian and gluten-free diets with advance notice — contact the operator directly when booking.
  4. 4Rideshare service is not always reliable on Kaua’i, especially outside of Poʻipū. If you're attending Smith's or Wailua Nui and aren't renting a car, confirm transportation before you book.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sarah Burchard
Sarah Burchard

Editor · Oʻahu

Sarah Burchard has called Oʻahu home since 2017. com, Hana Hou, FLUX Hawaiʻi, Forbes, Hawaiʻi Magazine and Honolulu Magazine.

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