This at the top of our highlight trip to Oahu. If you want to really experience and engage with the island culture then this is the Luau for you. The luau itself is very small and that makes it very intimate (this is intentional on their part...wanting to be able to connect with the guests verses large crowds). You will get to know a handful of the team as they come and talk with you and as you participate in various activities making this a very interactive luau.
There is that word: interactive. Several luau reviews online rate this as one of the most interactive luaus around. What does that mean? Does it mean you will be forced up onto a stage to perform?? The interactive part of the luau begins an hour and a half before the luau officially starts. There are stations led by the staff that teach you about how cultural meals are made and to try various aspects of the process. There is a banana pealing station (they are smaller green bananas), a cocoa station where you can help make roast the beans, a coconut husking station and then a station to scrape out the insides of the coconuts. If you want a take home keepsake, you can weave your own grass crown with the support of the ladies. You can also try your hand at bolo ball spinning. You are not pressured to do anything but it is a great opportunity and the team is super inviting, friendly and walk you talk you through what is being done at each station and why.
After all the food is prepared, they bring it all to a big fire area. While one of the staff (with lots of humor) talks you through the process, the guys put the meal together on the fire (don't worry, this is not the meal you will be eating...that would not be food safe). Later on in the evening (between the meal and the show) you can go back to the fire pit when the guys reveal the cooked meal...allowing you to smell it but not eat it. They then "take one for the team" and show you how they would eat this meal that you helped them prepare.
Before heading to the tables, the team will walk you through a guest welcoming ceremony. This is there way of welcoming you into their place and to the meal that you will get to have. It is informative and you also have opportunities to participate.
The size of the luau also means that there really are no bad seats. The wait for the food is not long and you will get to go and eat quickly. The buffet does not have a large variety of food but the food that they have is very good. The flavors were great and it was hot. There is lots of food to head up for seconds if you are still hungry for more. If you want a drink, you do get one complementary ticket per person...this can be used for an alcoholic drink or non-alcoholic.
The show itself is very entertaining. The live band (which also plays during the meal) is really talented. The dancers "take you" to the various islands and share the cultural dances from each island. This all ends with a fire dance which is sure to wow you!! The group of men light up the field with their fire dancing and leave you glad you chose to join them for this great experience.
It is small, a great price, tasty food, you get to experience the culture and be a part of it...this is a great luau for everyone...kids through adults!!