This. Sold a ton of it when I worked for Classic and went myself. Best of the luaus I've been to (about half a dozen), though it's the only one I've been to on Maui.

Warning about this, though: that's worth doing if you're willing to risk no chance at Old Lahaina Luau for that particular trip. I have, more than once, offered a range of dates for OLL and only had one day come back as available at all. It's not always sold out, but it's frequent enough to be a significant risk.

That is definitely true. It very much depends upon timing.

I know from a very solid source that there are weeks when they are completely sold out well in advance -- and others that you can buy a day-of discounted ticket in town. But you absolutely cannot count on it. In my opinion, it's good enough to justify buying the ticket in advance if you know you want to see it. (And it is the best I've seen on any island.)

Bang on.. Old Lahaina Luau does not discount.. and they don't need to..

One other that was closely rated, is Kona Village.. but we all know that the hotel where that Luau was hosted is done like dinner..

Oh, I hope it's not as dead as one of their most loyal patrons, but is merely regrouping. I always wanted to stay there.

IIRC they shut down the hotel completely, and are not planning to rebuild..

I know, its a shame.. it was a great hotel, but a decision was made not to rebuild after the Tsunami wiped out a good part of the hotel rooms, and the ocean front restaurant that was grandfathered from development restrictions.. and cannot be rebuilt based on restrictions currently in place..

Is there a luau on Oahu thread somewhere?

Actually, per their page it's "a hui hou (until we meet again)" and not good-bye. Their facebook page says they're rebuilding.

If you search for "luau oahu" you will find this:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hawai...ight=luau+oahu

http://www.konavillage.com/

Same quote per the website "a hui hou (until we meet again)" and not good-bye. .. but still shut down for the forseeable future.. Has been since last March 11th, 2012..

I'm a fan of Kona Village and wish that it would be rebuilt and stay open.. I like their Luau.. though I would probably not stay there.. So if the rebuild happens, then that would be great news..

Good deal on Westin Maui luau -- $99 for two
 

I enjoy a luau when I visit Hawaii, but I often skip it because the cost can be excessive. Here's a good deal on the Westin Maui luau, which gets pretty good reviews. Summer seems to be blacked out.

http://www.travelzoo.com/local-deals/hawaii/Other/50975

Going to Maui in 1 month. Never been to a luau before... any suggestions?

I'm staying at the Andaz, which doesn't have a luau, but the Grand Wailea is walking distance and does have one. Costco has discounted tickets for the Grand Wailea one ($79/person), so this one makes sens... unless there's a much better one relatively nearby.

We've been to three Luaus on Maui, two of them twice (TFALL and TOLL), and actually rate them as follows:
#1. The Feast at Lele
#2. The Old Lahainia Luau
#3. The Grand Wailea Luau

We liked the Feast the best because it has a bigger variety of island foods you'd never get at the others, is more "hands off", and you can see the show from every seat.

The TOLL was good, but it's too big, not a variety of foods, but it IS buffet...where the other is not. The "drinks" are more generic....feels more like a Luau that got too big and tries to just mass produce everything. We had to sit at the outer line "picnic tables" once and could hardly even see the entertainment.

You can't go wrong with any 3 though, they're all still great fun regardless!!

We may try GW this summer just to mix it up.

TOLL is indeed the best luau and is sometimes booked weeks in advance. I would advise to book well ahead. You maybe able to find some tourist ticket companies who prebuy for Old Lahaina Luau, and have seats up to 3 days prior to event, even sooner if lucky. Try Expedia tours, they seem to buy Old Lahaina in blocks for their customers to book when the event has been well sold out.

TOLL for sure. One tip, before sunset you can really bake in the direct sunlight in that setting and can get really warm for about 45 mins. Other than that, it's the best on the island. I will take my kids to their first TOLL this year.