There’s no better way to connect with the Hawaiian culture than to experience an actual luau yourself. The Old Lahaina Luau provides an authentic look at the traditional aspects of living in Hawaii. Starting in 1986, the Old Lahaina Luau welcomes everyone to come together to have an inside look at ancient Hawaii through the “ono” (delicious) foods, entertainment, and spreading the aloha spirit.
Less than a 15 minute drive from our oceanfront vacation rentals, this luau sits across the street from Lahaina Cannery Mall, right beside the ocean. Visitors enter the area and instantly get into the feel of the “luau spirit” as they are greeted with a fresh flower lei and a tropical drink. They are then escorted to their seats while Maui’s own Na Leo Ho’oulu plays beautiful Hawaiian music to kick off the night. Local artists also take part in this luau with arts and crafts available for purchase.
The conch shell blows, signaling the start of an award-winning production that cannot be missed. Dancers put on a hula show that tells the stories of ancient Hawaiian history. Through hula, dancers start with the story of the migration of the Polynesians and go through dances that represent the evolution of hula. The Old Lahaina Luau showcases how Hawaiian traditions have changed over the years with the arrival of various people and their cultures.
The Hawaiian culture is also known for its delectable foods. This luau serves customers with a buffet of Hawaii’s best foods like chicken long rice, mahi mahi, lau lau, and kalua pig. Following old Hawaiian practices, Old Lahaina Luau incorporates the imu ceremony in their cooking process. At the start of the luau, guests enjoy a special peek into old Hawaii as the kalua pig is unearthed from the imu, a traditional underground oven. The luau also offers a wide variety of drinks, ranging from tropical cocktails for the adults, to refreshing juices for children to enjoy.
Although this event is put on seven nights a week, seats still fill up fast. Be sure to book reservations as far in advance as possible. Prices to attend are $115 for adults and $75 for children. Guests ages 2 or under are free! While making reservations, you have the option of whether you want to be seated at a table with chairs, or be seated on a mat on the ground, like ancient Hawaiians, with the best view of the hula dancers.
The Old Lahaina Luau was named “Best Luau” by several magazines because of how genuine the luau is. Enjoy yourself with the best food and entertainment, while surrounding yourself with the aloha spirit.