Here is my honest review. This was our first time at a Hawaiian Luau. We read many different reviews and decided to go in with an open mind. The plantation is beautiful. We checked in at the front and made our way into a beautiful room with many table rounds and a stage in the middle. There were around 130 tables which seated 7 to 8 guests. It was packed.
We purchased tickets for the 5:00p show. The show didnt officially start until 6:30p. You don’t need to show up 30 min before your ticket time like they ask.
The open bar only served a few popular mixed drinks, Mai Tai, blue Hawaiian, beer and wine. The open bar is only open until the show actually starts.
We were really excited for the food. Except, after waiting for the buffet lines after 30 min, was mediocre food. They had pasta salad, salmon salad, a vegetable tofu salad, teriyaki wings, and of course Kalua Pork. The macaroni pasta salad was the only item that was best tasting. We were expecting the Kalua Pork to be extraordinary, only to find it bland and ehhh. They also listed local fruit; it was just honey dew, cantaloupe, and pineapple. I could have gone to Safeway across the street.
The show was pretty cool though, we had a great time watching the show with the hula dancers, fire dancers, etc. but definitely was not worth $170 per ticket after the whole night.
Also the show advertises from 5p-11p but the entire show ended at 8:30p.
All in all, if you can fork out $170 to experience the Hawaiian way, go for it but don’t expect a fine dining experience