Photo: UnsplashLūʻau in Hawaii
Imu pit pork, kālua poi, lomilomi salmon, hula + slack-key — the Hawaiian feast experience for the dinner-and-a-show crowd.
When
Evenings
Sunset seatings
Typical cost
$100–$250
Per adult
Where
Every island
Most on Oʻahu & Maui
Includes
Feast + show
Imu, hula, live music
A lūʻau is a Hawaiian feast. The word originally meant 'taro leaves' (an essential ingredient in the classic dishes), then expanded to mean the whole gathering: food, drink, hula, family, friends.
Hawaiian commercial lūʻau range from authentic family productions ($130-150/person) to elaborate hotel shows with fire dancers ($200-300/person). Authenticity often correlates inversely with marketing budget.
Imu — the underground pit where pork roasts for 8+ hours in banana leaves over hot stones — is the heart of the experience. Most lūʻau unearth the pig as a ceremony before serving.
The rundown
What to know
What a lūʻau is
A lūʻau is a Hawaiian feast — the centerpiece is kālua pig cooked all day in an imu, an underground oven of hot stones. Around it come poi, lomi salmon, poke, haupia, and the gathering of ʻohana that gives the meal its meaning.
Traditional vs. show
Some lūʻau lean cultural — hula kahiko (ancient) and mele that trace Hawaiian history — while others are big Polynesian revues with Samoan fire-knife finales. Both can be excellent; just know which you're booking.
Come with respect
A lūʻau is a living culture, not a theme-park act. Watching the imu unearthed, learning a few words of ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, and giving the performers your attention honors the hosts and deepens the night.
Island by island
Where to go
Oʻahu
13 upcomingWaikīkī has the most choices, from oceanfront resort feasts to the Polynesian Cultural Center in Lāʻie.
Oʻahu events →Maui
18 upcomingHome to some of the most acclaimed traditional lūʻau in the islands, centered on the Lahaina and Wailea coasts.
Maui events →Big Island
Resort lūʻau cluster along the Kohala Coast, many with strong Hawaiian cultural programs.
Big Island events →Kauaʻi
19 upcomingIntimate garden and oceanfront lūʻau on the south and east shores, often with a family feel.
Kauaʻi events →In pictures
Lūʻau in Hawaii
Know before you go
Plan your visit
Book ahead
The best lūʻau sell out days or weeks out, especially in peak season and on weekends. Reserve early and confirm the seating time.
What's included
Most tickets cover the buffet or plated feast, a welcome lei or mai tai, and the show. Premium seating and open bar cost more.
What to wear
Resort casual — an aloha shirt or sundress is perfect. Bring a light layer for oceanfront evenings once the sun drops.
Cultural note
Arrive for the imu ceremony if there is one, silence your phone during hula, and follow the host's lead on photos.
Common questions
Which lūʻau is best?
Maui's Old Lāhainā Lūʻau is the gold standard ($145). Oʻahu: Paradise Cove Ko Olina ($135). Big Island: Royal Kona Resort. Kauaʻi: Smith's Tropical Paradise. Polynesian Cultural Center on Oʻahu is a half-day park, not just a dinner.
When should I book?
60+ days out for popular ones (Old Lāhainā fills 90 days ahead). Try Tuesdays + Wednesdays for last-minute openings.
What should I wear?
Aloha shirt or sundress. Sandals are fine — bring a light layer for after sunset.
Open bar or pay?
Most premium lūʻau include open bar (mai tais, beer, wine). Cheaper ones include just one drink ticket.
Upcoming lūʻau in hawaii events
Book & reserve
Lūʻau across the islands
Established operators for this experience. AlohaCalendar doesn't sell tickets — book or reserve direct on their own sites.
Old Lahaina Lūʻau
Lahaina, MauiA traditional Hawaiian lūʻau with an imu-roasted kālua pig feast and hula that traces Hawaiʻi's cultural history — widely considered among the most authentic in the islands.
Visit site ↗Waikiki Starlight Luau
Hilton Hawaiian Village, OʻahuAn open-air lūʻau on the resort's Great Lawn beside Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon, closing with a Samoan fire-knife finale.
Visit site ↗ʻAhaʻaina, A Royal Hawaiian Lūʻau
The Royal Hawaiian, WaikīkīAn oceanfront feast on the Ocean Lawn of the Pink Palace telling the story of Helumoa and Waikīkī through food, hula, and music.
Visit site ↗Pāʻina Waikīkī Lūʻau
Waikiki Beach Marriott, OʻahuA rooftop lūʻau on the Queensbreak deck above Kalākaua Avenue, pairing cultural activities and an island dinner with Polynesian song and dance.
Visit site ↗Run one of these outfits? Feature your business →
Book it
Tours & experiences
AlohaCalendar may earn a commission from bookings made through these partners — see our affiliate disclosure.
Things to Do in Hawaii
Tours, activities & unforgettable experiences
$110+Polynesian Cultural Center Evening Show
$110+Experience Polynesian cultures with village tours, dinner, and the famous Ha: Breath of Life show.
$160+Maui Luau: Feast at Lele
$160+Premium beachfront luau with five-course dinner paired with Polynesian performances.
For business owners
Host a lūʻau or Hawaiian cultural experience?
Reach visitors planning their one big island night out. List your lūʻau free and get found by travelers searching island by island.
Related guides
Featured in seasonal guides
Maui Whale Season
The winter the humpbacks come home to Maui
Open guide →
Oʻahu North Shore
Where winter sends the world's biggest rideable waves
Open guide →
Waikīkī Summer
Surf season on the shore where modern surfing began
Open guide →