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KaimukiMan
Jun 13, 2008 10:09 AM
the Royal Hawaiian had the reputation for the best luau actually in Waikiki, but as the hotel has closed for several months for renovation, I do not think they are still holding it.
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re: KaimukiMan
Bill Hunt
Jun 14, 2008 03:45 PM
Before the rennovation, did they still do this? I have never been, and thought that it had been long discontinued. Had I known, I'd have attended, just to do it on that property, and just not held out much hope for something spectacular.
Now, Hale Koa (the US Military accommodations, just Diamondhead from Hawaiian Village) does one, but a visitor would need to be a guest of active, or retired, military. Do not recall the days of the week, but we overlooked it from the Ali`i Towers at HHV, and it looked like folk were really having great fun.
Hunt
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Aloha! I have never tried the Lu'au in Waikiki, but I am pretty sure that you could find a few. I know there is one at the Halekoa Hotel, and I hear there is also one at the Royal Hawaiian. If price is not important, I would suggest you spend some money and try the famous Lu'au on the island of O'ahu. There are a few including some previously mentioned like The Ali'i Luau at the Polynesian Cultural Center, Paradise Cove, and Sea Life Park. There is also a lu'au called Germaine's. In reading the posts below, I notice that most commentators agree that the food is terrible. As a native Hawaiian, I personally have to differ and say that I really enjoy the Hawaiian Cuisine offered at these luaus. I have tried the food at Paradise Cove, the Alii Luau, and Ono Hawaiian Food on Kapahulu. Maybe, the food was not that appealing to those who commented before me (keeping in mind that traditionally this food was cooked in the ground). But taste-wise, the food is great and tastes just as good as Grandma's Hawaiian cooking, and many times even better. There are many options for Hawaiian food, so I would suggest you really think about what you want. There are many desk agents in waikiki that have tried many of these luaus themselves, and despite the fact that they are trying to sell you something; I'm sure they will be more than happy to help you find what you are looking for.
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Are you interested in the show or the food? Most of the luau are geared towards tourists so the food is: 1) not very good; and 2) not very Hawaiian. I agree with Torta, go see a show and get food somewhere else. Ono does serve excellent Hawaiian food. A lot of visitors, however, don't really care for Hawaiian food like that served at Ono (that's why the luau don't serve a lot of real Hawaiian food).
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The only good one, that I have experienced even near to Waikiki is the Sea Life Park, around past Hawai`i Kai, but the one that I attended was for a private function, so their regular one might not be so good.
I have not done Paradise Cove, but have read some scathing reviews of the food.
Only other one that really stands out is on Maui at the Old Lahiana Town Luau, but obviously, even with a lot of inter-island connections, that's out of the question.
Even the VIP Luau at Polynesian Cultural Center featured poor food. I had better for my 50th B'day party in Denver, CO, and an award-winning Polynesian troupe to boot!
Hope you get some good rec's, as luaus are such a big part of Hawaiian life. One recommendation, that I fielded some years back, was to check the Honolulu Advertiser's Classified Section for private luaus, that are open to the public for a price. I have not tried any, but I'll pass that along, as it came from a Native Hawaiian, living in Pearl City.
Hunt›1 Reply-
re: Bill Hunt
I went to the Paradise Cove luau when I was in Oahu a couple of weeks ago. It was part of a business obligation (and therefore, it was free)...but even for free, the food was awful. Iceburg salad (like what you'd buy in a bag), white rice, fried chicken thighs, inedible fish, and the most dry, salty, stringy pork I have ever tasted. Desserts were equally bad. Yuk.
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