The Best Oahu Luaus
A luau has many great parts: the beach at night, hula dancers, rhythmic drum music, steel guitars and food, such as roasted pig, fresh-cut pineapple, mango and poi. Luaus also draw in large crowds. For some people, the best food equates to best luau. For others, the top luau on the island of Oahu is the one with the best show. The luaus below are some of the best.
Paradise Cove
Luau crowds tend to be large, but Paradise Cove has crowd management down to an art. You can find this luau at Ko Olina Resort and Marina. Most likely, you'll arrive by bus. Most hotels in Waikiki provide bus service to the resort. When you arrive, you'll be greeted with a fruit drink and have your picture taken with one of the night's entertainers. For two hours before the dinner is served, you can learn to make leis, hula dance, get a Hawaiian tattoo, or play a Hawaiian game, such as spear tossing. Canoe rides are also available. And there's entertainment.
Polynesian Cultural Center
The Polynesian Center offers the most authentic luau and includes the largest Polynesian revue. Each of the eight island villages has a multitude of shows and exhibits. A lush lagoon winds through the center's grounds and is the scene of the Rainbows of Paradise Canoe Pageant. Before enjoying an authentic Ali'i luau dinner, you can try palm-weaving and lei-making and listen to the pre-dinner music.
Waikiki on the Lagoon
This luau only dates to July 2008, but the company running it (Tihati Productions) is the largest and oldest entertainment company in Hawaii. Tihati Productions started in 1969. The luau is held on the breathtaking Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon in conjunction with the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort and Spa. Guests are encouraged to play games, like pineapple toss, and to learn to husk coconuts. Fishermen arrive in canoes to begin the luau. But first, guests learn the traditional hukilau song and dance about fishermen and their catch. The feast contains traditional and non-traditional Hawaiian fare. There is also music and dancing.
Tags: authentic luau, Best Oahu, Best Oahu Luaus, Oahu Luaus, Paradise Cove, Tihati Productions