zoonil

Hi ,

Big family gathering at Big Island (10 of us!). We are going to be staying at the Grand Hilton in Waikiloa (King's Land) in the North west part of the island about 20 miles north of Kona.


Any recommendations for
- Affordable Luau (the food is not a big draw for us since we are vegetarians, so also option for "show only" luau's)

- other activities in the Big Island including volcano tours etc.


We will have rental cars with us.


Thanks! Mahalo!

cblaisd

I've merged your post into the consolidated thread on the topic.

Rather than folks commenting on this luau thread, might I suggest you look at these threads

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hawai...t=consolidated

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hawai...t=consolidated

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hawai...t=consolidated

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hawai...t=consolidated

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hawai...t=consolidated

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hawai...ight=volcanoes

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hawai...ight=volcanoes

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hawai...ight=volcanoes

and see if there is something you'd like further information on?

Thanks,

cblaisd
Co-Moderator, Hawai`i forum

chris_grr

If you are looking to book Island Breeze online, be aware. www.islandbreezeluau.com appears to be operated by a third party agent who has a bad reputation with booking this sort of stuff. From the best that I can tell, the only positive way to book ahead of time is to call the Courtyard King Kamehameha directly. They might be on Opentable but that just sends a message to the hotel to call you to arrange for reservations.

philemer

My wife and her girlfriend went to this luau at the RKR and enjoyed it: http://www.konaluau.com/

nnn

Not a budget option, but the Four Seasons puts on a very good luau during festive seasons. Plentiful drinks and great food.

chevy454

Any recent updates for this thread? Will be on both oahu and the big island and wife says a luau is a must.

david55

Thread is almost 20 years old.....I was going to ask the same question so I thought just to re-animate it.

Group of 9 of us going to the Mauna Lani; some are dead set on going to luau. ( I am not one of those). The hotel has a luau but it is almost a $100 a person more than any other I can find..... any recent experiences I can pass on to the group? Thanks

philemer

Can't speak to the Mauna Lani Luau but I've been to all the others and they all seemed the same. Wife likes them but I find them repetitive. Those that want to go should go. You and the others can stay home and enjoy some drinks in the hotel bar. Prices have really spiked since 2019.

Mysterier

I haven't been to the BI yet, but my wife's parents went several years ago and loved Legends of Hawaii Luau.

scubadu

The one that I don't go to!

Sorry, couldn't resist, Luau's just aren't my jam. They always just feel like the very definition of overpriced "tourist trap" to me. I understand and respect that others will disagree and feel differently.

Regards

DELee

Many people visiting the Islands are tourists and readily embrace the luau as another way to get a Hawaiian experience. Sometimes you have no choice being part of as a group going to a luau and accept you needing to perform as a fire dancer graciously.

David

scubadu

And that is why I specifically said...
I lived in Hawaii for almost five years and have returned many times, I'm pretty familiar with the tourist dynamic, but I still make recommendations to friends/family that don't always align with the standard "tourist" path.

Regards

Lavarock7

I visited Hawaii for 14 times before moving here 20 years ago. On my visits I was sometimes comped a luau for helping the hotel with computer problems. Then when I moved here I was staff at a condo where I booked excursions for tourists. I was comped a couple of luaus so I could talk them up.

Although they are a 'must see' for some visitors, they really do seem to be kinda tourist traps. My personal recommendation is schedule a trip here during hula competition and get a plate lunch afterwards. I think that is closer to the Hawaii experience that mimics old Hawaii.

This Old House (or was it Ask This Old House?) did a 50 state tour and the stop in Hawaii was on Oahu. After completing the work, the homeowner had family, neighbors and friends come by for a luau. Lots of food and of course somebody started playing music on an ukulele.But if you are 'hell bent;' on attending one, here is how to determine a good one.