Most visitors to Maui are overwhelmed by the number of lūʻau presented each night on the island. Choosing which one is best for you and your ʻohana is easier when you know the subtle differences between each one. The range runs from Old Lāhainā Lūʻau, which focuses on Hawaiian hula rather than hula from multiple Polynesian island, to full resort productions with oceanfront settings, open bars and fire-knife finales that prioritize spectacle as much as tradition. Decide what sounds more enticing to you. Cultural authenticity and Hawaiian hula as the center of the show like at Old Lāhainā Lūʻau? Sunset views over the water from a luxury resort like at the Grand Wailea? Families with young kids who need flexibility and entertainment options often enjoy Drums of the Pacific at the Hyatt Regency. Budget-conscious travelers who care more about the show than the buffet will find their best option in South Maui. The sections below provide recommendations for each. Before you book: Most Maui lūʻau sell out two to four weeks ahead in peak season (December through April and June through August). Old Lāhainā Lūʻau routinely books two to three months out. Book before you land. Lāhainā lūʻau status after the fires: Old Lāhainā Lūʻau reopened in March 2024 and is operating. Myths of Maui at the Royal Lahaina Resort is open. Feast at Lele was lost in the 2023 fire and has not reopened. Verify current status for any West Maui show before booking. Tickets typically run $150 to $250+ per adult. Costco Travel and activity desk packages occasionally offer discounted rates — check before booking direct. Most lūʻau accommodate vegetarian and gluten-free diets with advance notice. Contact the show directly when booking.
SBBest for families
Drums of the Pacific at the Hyatt Regency Maui has been running for more than 40 years and has entertained more than 2 million guests — a consistent family-friendly option. The show runs Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with summer hours from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and winter hours from 5 to 8 p.m. The imu ceremony, open bar, all-you-can-eat buffet and a three-person Samoan fire-knife finale make it one of the most complete evenings on the west side. Free validated self-parking is available at the Hyatt Regency. Standard adult tickets run around $220, children 5 and under are free.
Myths of Maui at the Royal Lahaina Resort is another good family pick on the Kāʻanapali coast. The show runs seven nights a week with an all-you-can-eat buffet, open bar and fire-knife performances in a beachfront setting. Children's tickets are $115 — one of the more reasonable children's rates — making it a practical choice for families watching their budget. Standard adult tickets start around $185 before fees.
Best for sunset and oceanfront views
The Grand Wailea Lūʻau, named one of USA Today's 10Best for Best Lūʻau in Hawaiʻi for 2025, is held overlooking Wailea Beach at one of the most elaborately designed resort properties on the island. Check-in begins at 5:30 p.m. with seating around 5:45 p.m. and the show running from approximately 6:15 to 8:30 p.m. Tables are arranged on the lawn with ocean views, ʻukulele lessons and Hawaiian lawn games during the pre-show. Premium Aliʻi seating runs $360 per adult and $180 per child. This is the high-end option, so budget accordingly.
Myths of Maui at Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows offers an oceanfront sunset on the Kāʻanapali coast at a significantly lower price point. The West Maui Mountains frame the show from behind. Choose this one if you’re staying in Kāʻanapali and want a beautiful outdoor setting without the Grand Wailea price tag.
Best for cultural authenticity
Old Lāhainā Lūʻau reopened March 12, 2024, after being closed following the August 2023 wildfire, and has reclaimed its standing as the only lūʻau on Maui to present solely Hawaiian hula — versus hula from multiple Polynesian islands. Enjoy traditional oli, storytelling and demonstrations of cultural practices. Tickets run around $230 per adult in 2026 and include a fresh orchid lei, unlimited premium bar, four-course family-style dinner and the one-hour show. Summer check-in begins at 5:45 p.m., winter check-in at 5:15 p.m. Free parking is available.
Best for food
Old Lāhainā Lūʻau’s four-course family-style dinner consistently outranks the buffet format of most competing shows. The kalua pork from the imu, fresh local fish, poi and haupia are executed with care. The Grand Wailea Lūʻau, with its three-course menu at private tables, is the alternative for visitors who prioritize plated service over family-style. Both are notably stronger than the all-you-can-eat buffet format most resort lūʻaus rely on.
Best for budget: South Maui Gardens Hula Show
Located in Kīhei, the South Maui Gardens Hula Show takes a different approach entirely. Tickets run $100 for the show only, and guests bring their own food and drinks or purchase from on-site food trucks. This makes the evening more affordable than any full lūʻau on the island, with a performance that still delivers hula and Hawaiian culture. Runs Monday, Friday and Saturday evenings. For visitors who want the cultural experience without paying for a buffet dinner they may not fully want, this is the best value on Maui.
First-time lūʻau guests often arrive not quite knowing what they've signed up for. Here's what a typical evening looks like.
Arrival + Cocktail hour
Most shows offer a pre-show cocktail hour with complimentary mai tais, tropical drinks and cultural activity stations — lei making, ʻukulele lessons and Hawaiian games. The bar is typically open for the full evening. Premium bar packages are standard at most Maui lūʻau. Confirm what's included before you arrive.
Imu ceremony
After a conch shell blast youʻll witness the unearthing of the kālua pig from the imu, the traditional underground cooking pit where the pig has been roasting since morning. This is usually one of the most memorable moments of the evening — smoke rising from the earth, the pig emerging on a platter. Not every lūʻau includes a live imu ceremony. Old Lāhainā Lūʻau and Drums of the Pacific both do. Check before you book if this matters to you. Arrive at check-in time, not show time — the imu ceremony happens early and you don't want to miss it.
Dinner
The buffet — or, at Old Lāhainā Lūʻau and the Grand Wailea, a family-style or plated format — typically opens after cocktail hour. Traditional Hawaiian and local Hawaiʻi-style dishes include kalua pork, poi, lomi salmon, chicken long rice and haupia (coconut pudding), huli huli chicken and rice and salad for guests who need something more familiar. Pace yourself during the cocktail hour — dinner is the main event.
The show
The main performance usually runs 60 to 90 minutes and covers hula, Polynesian dance from multiple island traditions and — at most resort shows — a fire-knife finale. Old Lāhainā Lūʻau focuses specifically on Hawaiian hula and storytelling, whereas resort shows tend toward a broader Polynesian show.
Timing
Most Maui lūʻau run from approximately 5 to 8:30 p.m. Start times shift seasonally — winter shows begin earlier to account for sunset moving earlier. Most shows run slightly shorter in winter. Confirm the current schedule when booking, not from last year's itinerary.
Book earlier than feels necessary. In peak season — December through April and June through August — the most popular shows on Maui book out two to four weeks ahead. Old Lāhainā Lūʻau regularly fills two to three months in advance. If you wait until you land to book a lūʻau, you may find your top choice sold out for your entire trip. Reserve before you leave home.
Check Costco Travel and activity desks for discounts. Costco Travel packages and on-island activity desks occasionally offer discounted lūʻau rates that aren't available when booking direct. It's worth comparing before you purchase, especially for a group. The savings could save you $200+ per adult.
Understand the seating tier tradeoffs. Most Maui lūʻau offer multiple seating tiers — standard, premium and VIP or Aliʻi — at different price points. Closer seats mean better sightlines to the stage. At Old Lāhainā Lūʻau, seating is assigned based on booking timestamp, so the earlier you book, the closer you get to sit near the stage. At other shows, you pay more for the upgrade. Ask specifically where standard seating is positioned relative to the stage before assuming the base ticket is adequate.
Dress for an outdoor evening. Resort casual is standard — aloha shirts, sundresses, light linen. Most shows are fully open-air, and Maui evenings cool off after sunset, particularly in winter and at shows that run past 8 p.m. Bring a light layer. Flip-flops are fine, the ground at most lūʻau venues is grass or sand.
Verify Lāhainā show status before booking. As of 2026, Old Lāhainā Lūʻau is open and operating at its Front Street location. Myths of Maui at the Royal Lahaina is open in Kāʻanapali. Feast at Lele, which was located on Front Street, was lost in the 2023 fire and has not reopened. Do not book or travel to a Lāhainā lūʻau without confirming current operating status directly with the venue.
Photography is allowed at most shows — with limits. Most Maui lūʻau permit phones and cameras throughout the evening. Flash photography is commonly restricted during fire-knife performances for safety reasons. Follow the guidance from the emcee.
Check the children's age minimums and pricing.Most lūʻau accept children, but age minimums vary — some shows start at 3, others at 5. Children's pricing typically applies to ages 6 through 12 and infants under 3 are usually free when seated on a lap. Confirm the specific policy for the show you're booking, as it varies.
MauiFree cancellationWe're Maui's only multicultural dance and arts center providing an inviting way to explore Hawai'i's heritage. Our one-of-a-kind costume museum and "Migrations" Dance Spectacular present the centuries of migrations to Hawaiʻi in a colorful and memorable performance. Our intimate venue allows for a casual, informal learning and entertaining experience.
MauiFree cancellationTe Au Moana, translated as the ocean tide, has always been a constant throughout Oceania, connecting our islands, peoples and generations. Our Polynesian ancestors traversed these oceans tides for ages and revered them for their life sustaining properties.
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OʻahuFree cancellationYou'll be captivated by exotic dances from across Polynesia including the spectacular Samoan Fire-knife dance. Your evening begins with a gorgeous sunset from our beachfront location as you enjoy our delicious self-service buffet and partake of your favorite beverages from our open bar. Experience an evening of traditional Polynesian fun for all ages at the Maui Nui Luau at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa in Kaanapali.
MauiFree cancellationDiscover Hawaii’s most authentic luxury luau at Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort. A beautifully curated cultural and culinary experience set among our iconic grassy lawn and the sandy shore of Mokapu beach. Allow us to take you on a historical journey of our Polynesian ancestors arriving to Maui and settling in our ahupua’a (land division) while we give insight and life to our Hawaiian values that focus on the love of, connection to, and kuleana (responsibility) to the land. While enjoying our interactive storytelling, indulge in a three-course plated dinner hand served to your table. Handcrafted cocktails personalized to your liking will also be available to enhance this culinary family style experience.
MauiMaui’s Most Extreme Troupe of Fire-Knife Dancers! Staged outdoors amidst a scenic oceanfront setting alongside Kaanapali Beach, this intriguing luau performance and dinner show is held on-site at our resort and showcases stories of demi-god Maui, ancient Hawaiian kahiko with traditional costumes and Hawaiian awana with a grander spectrum, leading up to the island’s most extreme fire knife dance finale.
MauiFree cancellationGilligans' Island Luau is an intimate luau experience and is the only luau in Kihei on Maui. Our luau is less than one quarter the size of the average luau in Hawaii. So, every seat is a great view of the show. The show is a mesmerizing journey through various types of Polynesian culture presented in a fun and engaging format. Through storytelling, audience participation and remarkable performances, we present an experience unavailable anywhere else. Locally owned and operated, Gilligans is located on the Maui Nui Golf Course. With our small venue, we sell out quickly. Reserve your seats today!
OʻahuFree cancellationAn amazing sunset is just the beginning of a dazzling evening under the stars at Maui's longest-running luau, where beach-side seating, free-flowing drinks, all-you-care-to-eat buffet dinner, and authentic Polynesian dance combine for the perfect Hawaiian evening. Your evening begins with a cold beverage and photo opportunities as you enjoy watching the sun dip behind the horizon of the Pacific Ocean. The dinner buffet features authentic Hawaiian fare including kalua pork cooked in a traditional imu, an underground oven that cooks the meat to tender perfection. There's even a kids' buffet featuring chicken nuggets, hot dogs, and Maui potato chips. After dinner, the stage comes alive with rhythmic drumming, traditional Hawaiian, Tahitian, Samoan, and Maori performances and thrilling fire-knife dances. With vivid choreography and mesmerizing music, the show does more than entertain—it also tells the stories and legends of the islands.
Sarah Burchard
Editor · Oʻahu
Sarah Burchard has called Oʻahu home since 2017. A Honolulu-based freelance writer and editor, she covers food, culture and travel for publications including Hawaii.com, Hana Hou, FLUX Hawaiʻi, Forbes, Hawaiʻi Magazine and Honolulu Magazine. What keeps her rooted here goes beyond the balance of city life and sunny beaches — it is the people, the values and the culture of aloha that make her stay. Sarah is also a devout yogi and regularly volunteers with ʻāina-based organizations across the island. Read more of her work at sarahburchard.com.
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