LUAUS IN OAHU

Oahu’s Most Authentic & Popular Luaus

OAHU POLYNESIAN LUAUS

Hawaiian, Samoan, Fijian, Tahitian… experiencing a Polynesian Luau is a must while in Hawaiʻi!
Nothing says Hawaiian vacation like a luau. This celebration of Polynesian culture is known throughout the world as a fun, entertaining, and delicious way to learn about the people who migrated to Hawaiʻi nearly 1,000 years ago.
The Best Oahu Luaus
There are a lot of luaus across Oahu but we have chosen some of the best Luaus we think you should consider. Take an evening and enjoy a Hawaiian celebration with great food, music, song, and dance.

Paradise Cove Luau

5/5
An evening at Paradise Cove gives you a glimpse into the Hawaiian…

3 hrs. Luau Celebration At Paradise Cove

fire

Award Winning Entertainment & Food

from

$150

Mauka Warriors Luau

5/5
Join us at the Mauka Warriors Luau for a unique journey through…

4-hour experience

girl

Learn Polynesian Warrior history

from

$139

Chief’s Luau

5/5
Only 25 minutes from Waikiki at Wet’n’Wild and its…

3 Hrs. From Wet'n'Wild In Kapolei

buffet

Food, Drinks and Entertainment

from

$140

Germaines Luau

5/5
Come Outside Of Waikiki For A Germaine’s Luau. A Great Show…

3 Hrs. Hawaiian Celebration At Germaines Luau

buffet

Food, Drinks And Entertainment

from

$156

DIAMOND HEAD FOOD FESTIVAL LUAU

5/5
A very fun luau located right in Waikiki with Diamond Head as its…

Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun

shark

Includes Admission To Aquarium

from

$189

TOA LUAU AT WAIMEA VALLEY

5/5
Dive into the Polynesian culture at this interactive luau…

4 Hrs. Luau At Waimea Valley

flower-leis

Food, Drinks And Entertainment

from

$135

Aloha Kai Luau

5/5
This family-friendly fun event at Sea Life Park is a great way to…

2.5 Hrs. Luau At Sea Life Park

buffet

Food, Drinks, Entertainment and Park Access

from

$135

Rock A Hula Waikiki

5/5
Rock-A-Hula is Waikiki’s newest and largest show featuring…

Enjoy a 3 to 4-hour performance.

luau-dress

Waikiki’s Newest and Largest Show

from

$82

Ka Moana Luau At Aloha Tower

5/5
We’re Lucky Enough To Experience The Power Of This Mighty Body…

2 Hr. Luau, 5:30 PM At Aloha Tower In Honolulu

pizza

Buffet With 1-Drink, Age 3 & Under Free

from

$129

Oahu Luaus Reviews
Sightseeing can also be done in the sky, on the ocean or even in the ocean (in a submarine). We have a lot of tour options to choose from. Take a Pro Photography helicopter tour to spend more time shooting beautiful scenes or choose a thrilling ride like you may have seen in popular shows about Hawaii, including Magnum PI. Go under the sea and visit some shipwrecks or cruise on the ocean at sunset and have a romantic dinner.
  • This was a great tour! We loved seeing and swimming in the waterfalls and learning the company's plans to restore the land to its natural habitat. Nic was... read more

    Brenda Cannon Avatar Brenda Cannon
    November 9, 2023
  • It was enjoyable, but not like it was when we did this 10 years ago. Not being able to go up under the cave was disappointing. We also missed... read more

    Jane Jones Avatar Jane Jones
    November 9, 2023
  • The tour we purchased was the Pearl Harbor and USS Arizona along with the Island Circle tour. We started off getting on a 15 passenger van and not a big... read more

    Carleen Merchant Avatar Carleen Merchant
    November 9, 2023
  • Tuitui helped us to book the Luau dinner at Royal Kona on 11/3/23 with 2 hours notice. The whole experience was very smooth with her coordination and timely responses. We... read more

    madhavi chandrashekar Avatar madhavi chandrashekar
    November 8, 2023
  • My wife and I had the most phenomenal time on the movie tour! Our tour guide was AMAZING! I really wish I had got her name so I could call... read more

    A.J. Pentecost Avatar A.J. Pentecost
    November 8, 2023
  • Great place for any/all exploration ideas, if you don't know what there is to do, or what is even available (depending on time of year you visit).

    Kenneth Lundberg Avatar Kenneth Lundberg
    November 6, 2023
  • Our tour of Pearl Harbour was surreal! Our tour guide Handsome was extremely knowledgeable about the history of the island, my wife and I learnt so much! 100% recommend using... read more

    Shawn Tokar Avatar Shawn Tokar
    November 4, 2023
  • Driver was not able to pick up guests at pick up area. We were waiting from 06.45 h - 8.05 h for a 7.00 h pick up. Instead of... read more

    Matthias Rueter Avatar Matthias Rueter
    November 4, 2023
  • We had a fantastic time with Connor & Katie. They really know their stuff about Zip Lines, and very sweet people too. The booking of this event was super easy... read more

    Gail Carlson Avatar Gail Carlson
    November 4, 2023
  • Fabulous day trip with EXCELLENT guide/driver Nani. Stopped at views, food, beaches, waterfalls that we would have never found on our own. The drive has relentless turns and single lane... read more

    Curt “WI Biker” Reif Avatar Curt “WI Biker” Reif
    November 4, 2023

An Introduction To A Luau

Oahu is the perfect destination for a truly unique experience. From relaxing on pristine beaches to exploring ancient Hawaiian cultural sites, there’s something for everyone. But no trip to Oahu would be complete without experiencing one of its famous luaus.

Most luaus proceed like this: First, there is a lei greeting upon arrival followed by a meet-and-greet photo op with the Polynesian performers. Next, visitors are guided to their seats and tropical beverages are served. Once guests have settled in, the pig is removed from the imu (underground oven), filling the air with the delicious smell of roasted kalua pork. Some luaus also have traditional Hawaiian games that can be played by guests of all ages. The food is then served, usually buffet-style. The remainder of the evening is spent enjoying the food and entertainment which includes live music, hula dancing, and a fire knife performance.

The Best Luaus On O’ahu For You
Above is a great list of the available luaus. The experience you’ll have at any of these shows is top-notch and host memorable hula performances, great live music, and fantastic fire dancing. The evening will be a highlight of your trip. The differences between each luau offered include the menu’s gourmet achievements, whether drinks are included, preferential seating, and where on-island the luau is hosted. Most luaus are located in the Waikiki vicinity while the Polynesian Cultural Center is located on the Northernmost point of the windward coast.
flower-leis

Lei Greetings

In ancient times, Hawaiians gave lei to their local ali‘i (chiefs) as a sign of affection and loyalty. If wishing to make peace, warring ali’i would sit side-by-side weaving lei for each other.

girl

Hula Dance

The hula was originally a form of worship to the gods performed by highly trained men. It was banned by missionaries in the 1800s but was still performed in secret until the regulation was loosened in 1851.

luau-dress

Fun Fact

Ancient Hawaiians believed that the heavier a woman, especially a chiefess, the more beautiful she was. Being well-fed denoted her wealth and rank.

Oahu Luau FAQs
What is a lu’au?
A lu’au is a traditional Hawaiian feast and celebration, accompanied by Hawaiian music, hula dancing, and other cultural performances. Lu’aus are a way to celebrate important events, such as birthdays, weddings, or community gatherings. They offer a unique opportunity for visitors to experience and learn about Hawaiian culture, history, and cuisine.
Why are lu’aus a must-see?

Lu’aus are a must-see for several reasons:

  • Cultural experience: Lu’aus offer an authentic and immersive Hawaiian cultural experience, including traditional music, dance, and storytelling.
  • Unique cuisine: They feature a variety of delicious, traditional Hawaiian dishes that are difficult to find elsewhere.
  • Entertainment: The performances at a lu’au are entertaining and engaging, making it a memorable event for visitors of all ages.
  • Socializing: Lu’aus are an excellent opportunity to meet and interact with locals and other visitors in a friendly and welcoming environment.
What kind of food is served at a lu’au?

A typical lu’au offers a wide range of traditional Hawaiian dishes, including:

  • Kalua pig: A whole pig is cooked in an underground oven called an imu, resulting in tender, smoky meat.
  • Poi: A starchy dish made from taro root, pounded and mixed with water.
  • Lomi lomi salmon: A cold salad made from raw, diced salmon, tomatoes, and onions, seasoned with Hawaiian sea salt.
  • Poke: Raw, marinated fish, usually ahi (tuna), served as an appetizer.
  • Laulau: Pork, chicken, or fish wrapped in taro or ti leaves and steamed.
  • Haupia: A coconut milk-based dessert with a consistency similar to gelatin.
  • Fresh fruits: Locally-grown fruits like pineapple, papaya, and mango are often served.
What is the typical length of a lu’au?
A lu’au typically lasts between 3 to 4 hours. The event usually starts with a welcoming ceremony and the uncovering of the kalua pig from the imu. This is followed by a buffet-style meal, where guests can enjoy a variety of Hawaiian dishes. Afterward, the entertainment portion of the evening begins, featuring hula dancing, music, and storytelling.
What topics are covered by a lu’au?

Lu’aus often cover various aspects of Hawaiian culture and history, including:

  • Ancient Hawaiian myths and legends: Storytelling is an integral part of a lu’au, often featuring tales of gods, goddesses, and heroes from Hawaiian mythology.
  • Hula: Performances include both traditional and modern hula dances, accompanied by live music, chanting, and singing.
  • Traditional instruments: Lu’aus showcase various Hawaiian musical instruments, such as the ukulele, slack-key guitar, and traditional percussion instruments like the ipu (gourd drum).
  • Cultural customs: Guests can learn about traditional Hawaiian practices, such as lei-making, tattooing, and navigating by the stars.

Attending a lu’au is a great way to immerse yourself in Hawaiian culture and enjoy a memorable evening of food, entertainment, and learning.

Similar Tours to Luaus on Oahu
If you’re looking for similar activities that are just as exciting and enjoyable, here are some great alternatives:

WAIKIKI SUBMARINE DIVE

5/5
Go down over 100ʻ below the waves on a submarine off the coast..

2 Hour Under Sea Submarine Tour

reef

View Marine Life From Our Submarine

from

$148

JURASSIC VALLEY UTV RIDE

5/5
This UTV tour will take you deep into Jurassic Valley, a stunning…

2-Hour Tours With Multiple Daily Departures

atv

Drive Your Own Ultra Terrain Vehicle

from

$145

WAIKIKI FIREWORKS DINNER CRUISE

5/5
Go sailing on Friday and watch the fireworks show with an amazing…

2 Hrs. Dinner Cruise From Kewalo Basin Harbor

lunch

Guide, Food, And Drinks Provided

from

$159

STAR OF HONOLULU

5/5
Take the largest dinner cruise ship on a sunset tour off Waikiki….

2 Hrs. Dinner Cruise From Aloha Tower

beautiful-coast

Amazing Panoramic Sunset Views Of The Waikiki Coastline

from

$117

NORTH SHORE SHARK ADVENTURE

5/5
Enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience that brings you…

2 Hrs. From Haleiwa Harbor

take-note

Swim In A Cage With Sharks

from

$120

TURTLE GUARANTEED SNORKEL SAIL

5/5
Make our way to Turtle Canyon to enjoy your snorkel adventure,…

3 Hour Waikiki Snorkel With Picnic Lunch

small-group

Small-Group Tours

from

$149

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