Top 10 Luaus in Maui

One of the most popular activities to experience in Hawaii is a luau.

Enjoying an evening of traditional Hawaiian cuisine, live music, Hawaiian hula dance, and Polynesian culture is on the top of the list for all Maui visitors. On Maui, there are a variety of luaus from which to choose. Each is unique in their own way; some accommodate up to 500 people per night, and others book a maximum of 50 guests.

Luau in Maui

Depending on your desires, visitors and residents have an exceptional selection of venues to enjoy live Hawaiian entertainment. Peruse our list of the 10 Best Maui Luaus below, and welcome to the warm and friendly shores of Maui Nui.

01

Feast at Lele

The Feast at Lele Luau is located in West Maui. In the ancient Hawaiian language, Lele translates to Lahaina. This is an especially unique luau to enjoy in Maui because it takes place at an oceanfront location that was historically, and in fact, reserved for Hawaiian royalty. Unlike a traditional luau, Feast at Lele provides private tables for guests as opposed to communal tables.

Another aspect that makes this Maui luau stand apart is that the entertainment and the cuisine coincide, and travel through the history of many Polynesian cultures like Hawaii, Aotearoa (New Zealand), Tahiti, and Samoa.

Beginning with Hawaii, the show starts with a beautiful oli (chant) and mele (song) and continues with Hawaiian hula performances that depict stories of Maui, Oahu, Kauai, and the Big Island of Hawaii. During this part of the show, the first course of the menu serves banana and sweet potato chips with a tropical ginger and seaweed salsa, kalua pork seasoned with Hawaiian salt. Also, paniolo dried cured beef and Maui poi with pickled vegetables and more chef specials that rotate daily.

As the performance continues its journey through Polynesia, guests experience Maori chanting, Tahitian dance, Samoan fire dancing, and a second thru fourth-course menu that highlights delights and food stables from each region.

Feast at Lele is one of the most incredible luaus in all of the Hawaiian Islands. The setting is spectacular, the cuisine is designed and created by a top Maui chef, and it uncovers a true epicurean adventure that plays into the entertainment of the evening.


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02

Drums of the Pacific Luau

Drums of the Pacific Luau takes place at the Hyatt Regency Resort in Ka’anapali. This is another fantastic Maui luau to enjoy and has a reputation for having the best fire dancing performance of all Maui luaus. Entertainment takes place on a beautiful stone stage and feels more like a theatrical performance than a traditional luau.

Upon arrival, general seating guests are greeted with a shell lei, and VIP tables are greeted with a fresh orchid lei. All guests are welcomed with their choice of a Mai Tai or a tropical fruit punch.

General seats are not assigned pre-arrival, so if you’d like to sit closer to the stage, it’s highly advised that you arrive early. There’s a pre-show Hawaiian hula performance and live music, and the cuisine is a Polynesian-style buffet.

Stand out menu items include their kalua pork, macadamia nut encrusted Mahi Mahi, medallions of Molokai purple sweet potatoes, creamed taro leaf with coconut milk, and fresh ahi poke. For children, they also offer a keiki buffet with a more basic menu like chicken nuggets and penne pasta.


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03

Old Lahaina Luau

Located in the heart of Historic Lahaina Town, the Old Lahaina Luau is one of the most popular and most visitor frequented luaus in Maui. It’s a very authentic luau, and it’s been operating on Maui since 1996. Oftentimes, Maui visitors can book Maui activity packages that include discounted tickets to the Old Lahaina Luau.

Perfect for the whole family, this is quite a large luau. You can expect 500 guests in attendance every night of the week. They offer both communal picnic-style tables and conventional tables with chairs.

Upon arrival, guests are greeted with a fresh flower lei. Pre-show activities include local Maui vendors for Maui souvenir shopping, and an opportunity to begin the evening with a tropical cocktail or premium libations from the bar.

The menu at the Old Lahaina Luau is a traditional Polynesian feast with kalua pork, Lau Lau, Maui-style fish, grilled steak, chicken long rice, island-style chicken, taro, sweet potatoes, local-style fried rice, taro leaf stew, pohole fern salad, lomi lomi salmon, a delicious island crab salad, local style desserts, and more.


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04

Myths of Maui Luau

The Myths of Maui Luau is located oceanfront at the Royal Lahaina Resort. This is a beautiful Maui luau show and accentuates the ancient Hawaiian stories and folklore that specifically derive from the Island of Maui’s cultural history. It also showcases aspects of other Polynesian cultures like Tahiti, New Zealand, and Tonga. This Maui luau has been in operation since the early 1970s.

The evening begins with a traditional orchid lei greeting and an Imu Ceremony which is the unearthing of a pig that was cooked in an underground oven. Located oceanfront, Myths of Maui includes complimentary cocktails, and the show features Hawaiian hula, Polynesian dance, and an exciting fire knife finale.

The dinner menu is a traditional Hawaiian feast with assorted salads, lomi lomi salmon, poi, Hawaiian dinner rolls, vegetables, Molokai sweet potato, steamed rice, Asian-style chicken, Kalua pork (from the Imu), beef, fresh fish, a special kids menu, and assorted desserts like coconut haupia.

For those that enjoy tiki cocktail culture, Myths of Maui provides opportunities to delight is a variety of traditional tropical cocktails like Mai Tais, Blue Hawaiis, and the Hana Hou.


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05

Wailele Polynesian Luau

The Wailele Polynesian Luau is located at the Westin Maui Resort & Spa in Ka’anapali. Guests can book both general or premium seating, and the luau feast is a buffet. Held outdoors in a lush garden setting, guests will enjoy live music and performances that highlight Hawaii’s demi-gods like Pele, the fire goddess.

There’s an array of Polynesian entertainment throughout the show, and it ends with a fire-knife dance performance.

In terms of luau food, the Wailele Polynesian Luau provides a stunning array of traditional luau favorites with a bit of an upgrade because they utilize a lot of locally grown ingredients on the menu.

Pupus (appetizers) include Lomi Lomi salmon, pipikaula poke (peppered dried beef), Kula greens, Maui Gold pineapple, and more. The main course features kalua pork, Huli Huli chicken, steamed i’a (fish), dry mein noodles, Molokai sweet potatoes, and other tasty favorites. Desserts are delicious with many options like lilikoi (passionfruit) cheesecake and pineapple upside-down cake.

The Keiki Buffet provides a mixed greens salad with ranch dressing, cheeseburger sliders, chicken tenders, macaroni and cheese, fresh tropical fruit, and chocolate chip cookies.

Complimentary shuttle service is available from the Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas, Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, and The Westin Nanea Ocean Resort Villas.


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06

Maui Nui Luau

The Maui Nui Luautakes place at The Sheraton Maui Resort at Black Rock. The evening begins with a blow of a conch shell and an exciting cliff dive from Black Rock. The location offers gorgeous coastline and outer island views, and the overall luau experience is amazing.

The Maui Nui Luau uniquely captures the remarkable and magical stories of Polynesia with song, hula dance, and entertainment. This luau is located beachfront and provides an all-you-can-eat luau buffet. All guests will surely enjoy the fresh flower lei greeting, traditional Hawaiian cooking, an Imu Ceremony, Hawaiian games, and Polynesian crafts.

The menu at Maui Nui Luau is full of traditional luau favorites and locally sourced ingredients. Favorite items include Waipoli Greens, Pohole Fern Salad, Cucumber Namasu, Poke, Steamed Opakapaka (Hawaiian Snapper), Molokai Potatoes with a Coconut Butter Glaze, Kalua Pig, Teriyaki Steak, and a variety of mouthwatering desserts.


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07

Legends of Ka’anapali Luau

The Legends of Ka’anapali Luau is located at the Kaanapali Beach Resort– West Maui’s Hawaiian-style resort.
At Legends of Ka’anapali, all guests will surely enjoy Hawaiian hospitality, and an interactive luau experience. Guests can book General Seating and VIP Premium Seating for this Maui luau.

Families traveling with kids will love this luau for the pre-show entertainment that includes Hawaiian games, and island-style craft vendors. At the blow of the conch shell, guests are invited into the dining area to enjoy a lovely selection of traditional luau foods. Once everyone’s bellies are full, the entertainment begins.

Guests will be transported back into time when Tahitians and Polynesian voyagers landed in Hawaii. Through chanting, song, and dance, guests will experience the hopes and desires of Hawaii’s inhabitants, and see glimpses into the sorcery and magic that Hawaiian gods inspired in their people.

In addition to Polynesian dance and Hawaiian hula, this show also features an exciting firewalk!


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08

Aha’aina Wailea, A Grand Wailea Luau

Aha’aina Wailea, A Grand Wailea Luau takes place in South Maui at the Grand Wailea Resort & Spa. This is hands down, one of the most incredible luau shows in Maui. With the opulence and outstanding service that the Grand Wailea is known for, all guests will enjoy a well-produced show and a fabulous luau feast. The setting is picturesque and inviting, and all will love the beautiful South Maui sunset views.

Upon arrival, guests are greeted with a flower lei and have opportunities to take photos with the cast in full costume. Next, there’s a traditional Imu Ceremony, and guests enjoy tropical cocktails, an open bar, and are next led to the seating area.

The luau menu at the Aha’aina Wailea is really delicious. Items to write home about include the Ahi Poke, Maui Paniolo Grilled Flank Steak, and the Traditional Kalua Pig. The menu is full of high-quality Hawaiian foods, and the entertainment is top-notch. By honoring the traditions of Hawaiian ancestors, they have more than successfully created a luau show that is as culturally informative as it is beautiful.


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09

Te Au Moana Luau

The Te Au Moana Luau is located at the Wailea Beach Marriott Resort in South Maui. In the ancient Hawaiian language, Te Au Moana translates to ‘the ocean tide.’ This Maui luau is an homage to all Polynesian cultures that are connected and tied together throughout Oceania.

The luau entertainment is beautiful, graceful, and awe-inspiring as it travels through ancient Hawaiian history and folklore; fishing, gathering, voyaging, and earth elements. Presented by Tihati Productions, this is a show that displays a lot of knowledge and respect for Hawaiian culture.

At the Te Au Moana Luau, guests will enjoy a flower lei greeting, pre-show activities, traditional Hawaiian cooking, an Imu Ceremony, romance, lavish song, and dance.


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BONUS

POM Maui Sunset Luau Cruise

Pride of Maui’s Sunset Luau Dinner Cruise is an excellent way to maximize your vacation time on Maui.

Obviously, experiencing a luau in Maui is one of the most popular activities in all of Hawaii. When you pair that with a sunset dinner cruise aboard a spacious and stable catamaran, guests can enjoy more than one incredible Maui activity at the same time. If you book a Sunset Luau Cruise during Maui’s Winter months (roughly December-March), guests are also given the opportunity to whale watch during Maui’s most magical hours.

Onboard a Maui Sunset Luau Cruise, guests can enjoy sailing Maui’s oceans with Polynesian dancers, 360-degree panoramic ocean views, an open bar stocked with premium drinks, and local microbrews. And an expert crew that knows how to treat visitors to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity on Maui.

The Maui Sunset Luau Cruise menu begins with an assorted cheese and fruit platter, and Maui Onion Tartlets. Dinner offerings include Island-style Baby Back Ribs, Shoyu Chicken, Coconut Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Stir Fry Vegetables, Maui Gold Pineapple Slaw, Taro Rolls, Assorted Desserts, and more.


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Mahalo for reading Pride of Maui’s Top 10 Luaus in Maui article. There are so many incredible Hawaiian culture activities to explore and experience on the Valley Isle. What’s your favorite luau in Maui?