Aloha! If you are planning on vacationing in the Hawaiian Islands, the one thing you must do in Maui is to visit the best luau in Maui on your vacation bucket list.
Since nearly everyone will try to persuade you to go, you will hear the word everywhere. And with good cause. Imagine tiki torches glowing into the orange hues of the setting sun, arching palms against a backdrop of crashing waves, and the sound of a ceremonial conch shell blow.
The scene has the appearance of a movie scene. Enjoy a cocktail while taking in the classic Hawaiian luau, one of the best experiences you should have when visiting Maui. The luau is a blend of Polynesian dinner fare, dancing, and exciting culture.
There is not just one best luau in Maui, but so many, but don’t worry as USA Tales is here to guide you throughout.
For those of you who don’t know what exactly a luau is, a luau is a Hawaiian feast or party hosted in the traditional Hawaiian style that includes traditional Hawaiian entertainment.
History of Luau
This celebration dates all the way back to Polynesia’s prehistoric era. The prohibition on what was known as the kapu is claimed to have been repealed by the second monarch of Hawaii. Men and women dining together, or royalty dining with the rest of the non-crowned people, was essentially the kapu.
Naturally, the monarch held a lavish dinner feast with 271 pigs, a large number of kalo plants, coconuts, and salted fish to celebrate the repeal of the law. And he extended an invitation to everyone!
Today’s luaus on the island of Maui are a contemporary take on the ancient tradition, mostly created for visitors to Hawaii. However, they are still enjoyable gatherings and festivals that incorporate music and dance from the Hawaiian and Polynesian cultures.
Additionally, there is usually enough food! Poi (made from the stem of a taro plant), Kalua pig, and haupia are among the foods you can discover (a coconut milk-based dessert).
12 Best Luau in Maui
If you are a party lover or a party animal who loves feasts and entertainment, do pay a visit to the best luau in Maui. And if you don’t know where to start, read on to find a few of the best luau in Maui below.
1) Old Lahaina Luau
This authentic best luau in Maui ensures that you enjoy traditional hospitality, entertainment, and food along with an amazing sunset view.
One of Maui’s most well-known and regularly frequented luaus is the Old Lahaina Luau, which is situated in the centre of Historic Lahaina Town. It’s a very genuine luau, and it’s been going since 1996 on Maui. The Old Lahaina Luau is frequently included in Maui activity packages that tourists can purchase.
This is a sizable luau, perfect for the whole family. They provide both standard tables with seats and communal picnic-style tables. Every night of the week, you can anticipate seeing about 500 guests.
Visitors are welcomed with a fresh flower lei when they arrive. Local Maui souvenir merchants and the chance to start the evening with a tropical cocktail or other premium beverages from the bar are among the pre-show festivities.
Enjoy the tropical beverages and cocktails included with the food. You can also choose your desired seating area with either table chair seating or the traditional floor and table seating.
A typical Polynesian feast is served at the Old Lahaina Luau, including kalua pork, Lau Lau, Maui-style fish, grilled steak, chicken long rice, island-style chicken, taro, sweet potatoes, local fried rice, taro leaf stew, lomi-lomi salmon, a delectable island crab salad, and more.
Visit their site to learn more.
2) Myths of Maui Luau
Visit the myths of Maui luau and experience the amazing Wailea Polynesian culture of the island. The traditional Hawaiian tales and folklore that are specially developed from the cultural past of the Island of Maui are highlighted in this lovely luau show.
Aspects of further Polynesian cultures from places like Tahiti, New Zealand, and Tonga are also highlighted. Since the early 1970s, this luau on Maui has been open for business.
The beautiful oceanfront setting of this luau will keep you feeling captivated and enchanted. The whole setting is based on the beautiful Kaanapali beach, making the whole dining experience even more memorable.
Engage your senses in the music, the ocean, the food, and the culture here at the myths of Maui luau.
Free drinks are provided as part of the Myths of Maui performance, which also includes Polynesian dance, Hawaiian hula, and a thrilling fire knife climax. The traditional Imu Ceremony, which involves uncovering a pig that has been cooked in a subterranean oven, starts in the evening.
Various salads, Lomi-Lomi salmon, poi, Hawaiian dinner rolls, veggies, Molokai sweet potatoes, steaming rice, Asian-style chicken, Kalua pig (from the Imu), beef, fresh fish, a special kids’ menu, and a variety of sweets, including coconut haupia, are all featured on the evening menu. The meal is a classic Hawaiian buffet with help at the table.
Myths of Maui offers an opportunity to drink a variety of traditional tropical beverages like Mai Tais, Blue Hawaii, and the Hana Hou for people who like the tiki cocktail culture.
3) Wailele Luau
Here at the Wailele Polynesian Luau, you will get to see the greatest fire knife dance troupe. The Westin Maui Resort & Spa in Ka’anapali is home to the Wailele Polynesian Luau.
Guests can take in live music and performances that honour Hawaiian demi-gods like Pele, the fire goddess. The show features a variety of Polynesian entertainment.
The whole show is held in a very secluded and private garden where you get to enjoy this exotic traditional dance form along with the tasty Hawaiian cuisine.
The best luau in Maui in terms of entertainment and food. You get to have an end number of drinks from mai tai, and cocktails to fruit juices during the three-hour show.
Because they employ a lot of locally-grown items on the menu, the Wailele Polynesian Luau offers a gorgeous variety of traditional luau favourites with a little boost.
Kalua pig, Huli Huli chicken, steaming i’a (fish), dry mein noodles, Molokai sweet potatoes, and more delectable favourites are included in the main dish. Kula greens, Maui Gold pineapple, Lomi-Lomi salmon, pipikaula poke, and other appetisers are available. There are several amazing dessert options, including lilikoi (passion fruit) cheesecake and pineapple upside-down cake, which is all delectable.
A mixed greens salad with ranch dressing, cheeseburger sliders, chicken tenders, macaroni and cheese, fresh fruit from the tropics, and chocolate chip cookies are all available on the Keiki menu.
Book a table today and be ready to be amazed!
4) Aha’aina Wailea – A Grand Wailea Luau
South Maui’s Grand Wailea Resort & Spa is the site of Aha’aina Wailea, A Grand Wailea Luau. Without a doubt, this is one of Maui’s most amazing luau shows.
The Grand Wailea is famed for its luxury and superior service, so guests can expect to enjoy a well-produced performance and a sumptuous luau feast. Everyone will enjoy the gorgeous and welcoming surroundings as well as the stunning views of the South Maui sunset.
A traditional Imu Ceremony and tropical drinks are served to visitors as they arrive, welcoming them into an evening of delight. The food is served right at the table because it’s a family-style luau.
The Aha’aina Wailea’s luau meal is quite tasty. Hawaiian cuisine of the highest calibre is available on the menu, and the entertainment is excellent. The Ahi Poke, Maui Paniolo Grilled Flank Steak, and the Traditional Kalua Pig are highlighted.
They have more than succeeded in producing a luau display that is as aesthetically pleasing as it is culturally interesting by respecting the customs of Hawaiian ancestors.
Enjoy a grand and entertaining evening at the Lahaina Wailea with your family as they take you through the rich and unique culture in the form of a luau.
You will be led to your private dining table that overlooks Wailea beach. Here, you will be served a three-course luxurious traditional Hawaiian cuisine meal.
Enjoy the authentic Hawaiian music in the background while dining for the best experience.
5) Drums of The Pacific Luau
The next on the list of the best luau in Maui is the drums of the pacific luau. You should not miss the grand commencement of this loud luau with conches and drums and fire torches.
The drum show that goes on here during the luau is brought about by the Hyatt Regency Maui in Ka’anapali and has been entertaining tourists for almost 40 years.
Rather than feeling like a traditional luau, the entertainment is presented on a stunning stone stage.
General seating visitors are welcomed with a shell lei upon arrival, while VIP tables are welcomed with a fresh orchid lei. All visitors are given the option of a Mai Tai or a tropical fruit punch as their welcome drink.
It is strongly encouraged that you arrive early if you want to sit closer to the stage because general seats are not assigned before to arrival.
A pre-show is present. Live Hawaiian music, an improved plated dinner with desserts presented at the table, and a Hawaiian hula performance.
Their kalua pork, macadamia nut-crusted Mahi Mahi, medallions of Molokai purple sweet potatoes, creamed taro leaf with coconut milk, and fresh ahi poke are among the menu dishes that stand out. A keiki buffet featuring a simpler selection, such as chicken nuggets and penne noodles, is also available for youngsters.
Experience and enjoy the staff’s world-class facility and hospitality during the luau while they bring you your favourite Hawaiian dishes and drinks.
6) Feast at Lele
This best luau in Maui promises to offer an exceptional luau experience. They are located alongside the historic town beach of Lahaina. Here, you can enjoy various entertainment sources from the different aforementioned lands that will take you through their historic cultures respectively.
West Maui is where you’ll find The Feast at Lele Luau. Lele translates to Lahaina in the prehistoric Hawaiian language. Due to the fact that it takes place in an oceanfront area that was previously designated for Hawaiian royalty, this luau is particularly distinctive to see in Maui. In contrast to a more conventional luau, Feast at Lele offers visitors private tables as opposed to communal ones.
The fact that the food and the entertainment are combined is another feature that makes this Maui luau unique. Visitors will experience the history of numerous Polynesian cultures, including those of Hawaii, Aotearoa (New Zealand), Tahiti, and Samoa, through the presentation and the food.
The concert opens with a lovely oli (chant) and mele before moving on to Hawaii (song). Hawaiian hula performances that tell tales of Maui, Oahu, Kauai, and the Big Island of Hawaii are presented after that.
They feature a proper sit-down dinner with a five-course delicious traditional Hawaiian meal all gathered together from the lands of the Pacific, Tahiti, Samoa, Aotearoa, and Hawaii. The first meal on the menu during this portion of the event includes Garden jasmine rice with a hibiscus soy sauce, lomilomi salmon and poi, and Kalua Pua’a, a delectable rendition of Hawaii’s well-known, slow-roasted pork dish.
Guests enjoy Maori chanting, Tahitian dance, Samoan fire dancing, and a second through fourth course menu that showcases specialties and cuisine staples from each region as the performance travels further around Polynesia.
One of the most amazing luaus in the Hawaiian Islands is Feast at Lele. The backdrop is breathtaking, the food is made by a top Maui chef, and it reveals a genuine epicurean adventure that contributes to the evening’s pleasure.
Enjoy drums, fire dancing, hula dancing, and many other Hawaiian traditional forms of entertainment.
7) Te Au Moana
The au Moana stands for the ocean tide, which, true to its name – promises you an exciting experience and the best luau in Maui – like the ocean tide waves. South Maui’s Wailea Beach Marriott Resort is home to the Te Au Moana Luau.
Te Au Moana, which translates to “the ocean tide,” is a term from prehistoric Hawaiian. All of the Polynesian cultures that are interconnected throughout Oceania are honoured at this Maui luau.
Enjoy the beautiful beachfront resort and the sunset while you dine at the luau, it depicts the lavish history of the Hawaiian and Polynesian people.
The performers here are amazing, and make sure that you have the best experience of your life at this luau. The scenic location and the beachside vibes make your experience even more memorable and enjoyable.
As it takes viewers on a journey through ancient Hawaiian history and tradition, including fishing, gathering, travelling, and earth elements, the luau entertainment is exquisite, graceful, and breathtaking. This concert, which is put on by Tihati Productions, exhibits a great deal of understanding and reverence for Hawaiian culture.
At the Te Au Moana Luau, guests can take part in pre-show festivities, traditional Hawaiian cooking, the Imu Ceremony, romance, lavish music, and dance, as well as get a lei of flowers as a welcome.
8) The Feast at Mokapu
Enjoy a ravishing feast along with luxurious vibes at this best luau in Maui. The most opulent luau on Maui is The Feast at Mokapu. The Andaz Maui in Wailea is home to Maui’s newest luau attraction, which is ideally situated on the island’s Southside.
In Wailea’s most breathtaking setting, guests of the Feast at Mokapu will experience a genuine Polynesian cultural and culinary trip. This Maui luau is held on the lawn of the Andaz Maui Resort, which is located on Mokapu Beach, one of Maui’s nicest beaches.
No matter where you sit at Feast at Mokapu, you will witness the spectacular Southside sunset, the ideal setting for Maui’s most genuine luau. The restaurant offers both premium and traditional seating.
Enjoyment for all age groupsYou can start this special evening with your choice of fine food and artisan beverages. At Andaz Maui, the restaurant’s award-winning culinary team creates classic Hawaiian delicacies.
The Kalua Pork melts in your mouth, and the Poke is wonderfully fresh. Enjoy the three-course, traditional Hawaiian feast while you sit back and unwind. Enjoy a homemade Mai Tai while seeing the stunning Maui sunset.
The event features interactive Hawaiian storytelling and takes viewers on a tour of Maui’s early Polynesian settlers’ historical journey. The performance is jam-packed with traditional music and dance, and the spectacular fire dancer finale will have spectators on the edge of their seats.
The Feast at Mokapu is ideal for anyone seeking a private, opulent luau in Maui and is also family-friendly. One of Maui’s most romantic luaus and a favourite activity for couples that they won’t want to miss is this more intimate luau.
The Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort is a beautifully decorated resort with grassy lawns and a culinary dining experience. This resort is located on the sandy beach of Mokapu beach.
Relish a variety of handcrafted beverages and drinks along with tasty cuisines and courses, and also learn the essence of true Hawaiian values through their dances and songs.
9) Huaka I’ Luau -Journey Through Polynesia
One of the nicest ways to commemorate a trip to the Hawaiian Islands is with a luau. It’s a Hawaiian feast with exciting music and displays of local culture from Hawaii and other Polynesia.
Enjoy a terrific show and a delicious dinner at the next best luau in Maui- the Huaka I’ luau. The name says it all, the luau offers and takes you on an exciting and enticing journey through Polynesia.
Even today, two centuries later, people still like celebrating the luau theme. Despite its Hawaiian roots and the name luau, it’s crucial to keep in mind that not all of the entertainment and cuisine served at a luau are native to Hawaii.
A modern luau is a reflection of Hawaii’s multicultural society. As diverse as the family tree’s branches, the food offered during a luau might be. Typically, a visiting luau will include music and dancing from various Polynesian cultures.
A lavish buffet dinner will be provided to go along with the theme of the play. The feast consists of various dishes from the famous traditional Hawaiian Lomi Lomi salmon, and kalua pork to a variety of free-flowing drinks like the mai tai, pineapple juice, and other alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages.
At the Huaka’i Luau – Journey Through Polynesia, the award-winning performers will astound and delight you with a stunning exhibition of songs and dances from Hawaii and Polynesia.
Enjoy the pacific islands’ diverse cultural traditions. At the edge of the water, under the stars, palm trees, and stars, the breathtaking Polynesian performance is performed. Experience the majesty and romance of prehistoric Hawaii.
Experience the Aloha spirit and a Hawaiian luau in the form of a backyard. The Huaka’i Luau, a special event honouring the Oceans of Aloha makes it remarkable. The exotic vibes of the luau are something you will remember for a very long time.
10) Wailea Beach Resort – Marriott Maui
Be a part of the beautiful celebration of the Hawaiian traditional culture here at the Wailea beach resort that hosts Maui’s best luau brought to you by the famous five-star hotel, Marriott in Maui.
The movie Moana highlights Hawaiians’ adoration of and connection to the ‘aina. Visitors at this beachside event are introduced to various important Hawaiian rites, such as tapa making—or the building of fabric from trees and shrubs—coconut husking, and flower making—before the imu ceremony and feast.
Enjoy a luxurious stay here at the resort that spreads over the sandy Wailea beach’s vast acres. Enjoy a drink at the shack in the mid-evening and go for a lavish dinner at the luau at night.
A buffet-style extravaganza of grilled teriyaki steak, seafood spaghetti, pineapple coleslaw, and Molokai sweet potatoes makes up the actual meal, which is one to remember.
The kiawe and palm-fringed vistas of the Pacific Ocean from the Marriott Wailea Luau, which is perched on a grassy bank above the shimmering ocean, are nothing short of breathtaking.
But what makes this ‘ Lahaina so enjoyable are the unique, realistic details, such as exhibitions of Polynesian weapons and fishing exercises. The entertainers make sure to give you a memorable night as you gulp down some of the famous cuisines and dishes.
11) Kaanapali Beach Hotel
The next entry on the list of the best luau in Maui is the Kaanapali beach hotel located on the beautiful Kaanapali beach. One of the best spectacles on Maui is presented at this weekly luau at the Ka’anapali Beach Hotel, which is governed by the biggest tiki torch in the Hawaiian islands.
It uses traditional music and dance, capped up by a fire walk, in which dancers move down a path lit by fire, to notably highlight the intriguing stories behind the Tahitian migration to Maui and their metamorphosis into the Kanaka Maoli, the indigenous Hawaiian people.
You can also take a stroll down the beach with your loved ones as you spectate the breathtaking sunset or sunrise. As for the luau, enjoy fire dancing and hula to traditional Hawaiian music.
The food is crafted by award-winning chefs from the islands, with the whole imu-roasted pig and homemade poi naturally standing out. It is served buffet-style, but there are lots of helpful servers nearby to help you with your plate(s) or get you a drink.
Feast on the variety of dishes as you sit at the table in a very cosy seating made just for the luau and don’t forget to visit the famous black rock beach, a part of Kaanapali beach.
However, one of the best aspects of this luau is its cost, which is $10 to $20 less than the normal luau and the best deal on the island.
12) The Westin Maui Resort and Spa
Surrounded by loads of palm trees and located by a beautiful beach in Lahaina, this enormous resort and spa ensure that you have the best vacation with them.
They host the most luxurious and best luau in Maui, where you get to feel the vibe and energy of the performers dancing to loud drum beats and performing amazing stunts.
The cute hula girls dancing to the traditional Hawaiian music look adorable and welcoming. You can enjoy all this while having a grand feast at the luau served by friendly staff members.
EndNote
Considering that this list of the 12 best luaus in Maui might have helped you choose your preferred luau, it is suggested to try and visit them all as it is tough choosing the best luau in Maui as all of them are unique in their way.
Do visit and make sure to share your beautiful experiences below in the comments section. Have fun exploring!
Suggested Reads
10 Best Restaurants in Maui For a Perfect Evening!
Last Updated on by Pragya Chakrapani
