There are threads for lu`au on just about each island in the forum.

By nature, at a lu`au, you are going to be feeding a lot of people at one time all at once , so it's often quantify over quality on the food. I just hope the kaula pig isn't too salty/greasy, there actually IS salmon in the lomi lomi, chicken in the long rice, etc.

I've not been there, but the lu`au at the Kona Village Resort on the Big Island looks first rate, food wise. Not surprisingly, it's also one of the most $$$ options.

I'm not sure what visitors would make out of a "local" (baby/birthday/anniversary/wedding/etc.) lu`au. It's more a social event than a pagent with music and entertainment.

[edited to add] Well, I did think of one lu`au that is a little more "local" Each August, the private Outrigger Canoe Club in Waikiki has a lu`au for its members - if you are a member of a social club that has a reciprocal relationship, you could see if you could get reservations...

[This message has been edited by FlyinHawaiian (edited Jan 27, 2004).]