Review: Experiencing Maui’s Best Luau At Old Lahaina Luau

Here’s my disclosure: I’m not usually a dinner and show type of guy, and most luaus are dinner and show types of event. I’ve actually been to several luau across Hawaii over the years, but I feel like they cater more to families and couples on their honeymoon. Nothing wrong with that, I just don’t fit the profile.

But it got me thinking, could I have fun at a Luau on my own?

I’d be surrounding myself with groups of families and couples – and I’d probably be the only person visiting alone.

At the very least, I’d enjoy mouthwatering Kalua pork, fresh poke and a few Mai Tais. So I set about asking my local Maui friends if they knew of any luau that was a bit more authentic or stood out above the rest.

Three strong endorsements later, I booked a table for one at the Old Lahaina Luau.

For good measure, I even called to confirm that I could attend solo.

Of course you can’t really get a table for one. In Hawaii, it’s all about family and community. This was a communal affair, and I was glad to be put at a table with two other families.

Besides the recommendations, I also spent some time making sure I was making the right choice.

Top 10 Luaus In Maui (So They Say)

For starters, according to TripAdvisor, which isn’t necessarily my most trusted source of reviews, here’s a list of the top luaus in Maui. It’s not sorted by ratings score.

1. Old Lahaina Luau
2. Te Au Moana Luau (Wailea Beach Marriott)
3. Myths of Maui Luau (Royal Lahaina Resort)
4. Drums of the Pacific Luau (Hyatt)
5. Maui Nui Luau at Black Rock (Sheraton)
6. Aha’Aina Wailea (Grand Wailea)
7. The Feast at Mokapu (Andaz)
8. Huak’i Luau Maui – Journey Through Polynesia
9. Tales of The Kapa Moe Luau (Ritz Carlton)
10. Wailele Luau (Kannapali Westin)

Another endorsement for Old Lahaina, according to the masses. Not only did it sit at the top with nearly 8000 reviews, it had the highest score of 4.6 while most had a score between 3.5 – 4.0, except for Te Au Moana Luau and The Feast at Mokapu with 4.3 and 4.4, respectively (with significantly fewer reviews).

What Makes A Good Luau In Maui?

With so many options, I had to come up with a logic for what I thought would make a good luau and what to avoid, so I could start narrowing down the choices.

A closer look and reading through hundreds of reviews, I noticed that most luaus were organized by large resorts. From previous experiences on the other islands, I found that this was hit or miss depending on how much space and effort the hotel dedicated to its luau production.

Specifically, I wanted a luau with an immersive setting that’s on the beach.

There’s nothing wrong with hotel luau since it’s quite convenient for hotel guests, but they are not all created equal.

I wanted more than just a stage, some tiki torches, a hotel buffet. I mean, is there even a place where you’re burying the large pig to cook slowly underground.

Lastly, the food has to be good. I want to enjoy every bite and leave stuffed.

My Order Of The Best Luau In Maui

I have a sense of what to expect from a good and an average luau so a few were easily eliminated from consideration.

Not Worth Considering

I’ll save you the trouble and tell you that the ones below are not worth considering. They look like they’ve been put on by the hotel just to offer a luau to its guests. The staging and production value looked low and some even had plastic lawn chairs and fold up plastic tables. 

Some take place indoors or on lawns that are converted over nightly for the show. The reviews are average and I feel like the positive ones are from people who were just happy to experience any luau for the first time.

Look for yourself if you don’t believe me.

• Maui Nui Luau (Sheraton)
• Tales of The Kapa Moe Luau (Ritz Carlton)
• Aha’Aina Wailea (Grand Wailea)
• Drums of the Pacific Luau (Hyatt)
• Huak’i Luau Maui – Journey Through Polynesia

Worth Considering

1. Old Lahaina Luau
2. Te Au Moana Luau (Wailea Beach Marriott)
3. The Feast at Mokapu (Andaz)
4. Wailele Luau (Westin)
5. Myths of Maui Luau (Royal Lahaina Resort)

Old Lahaina and Te Au Moana had the best reviews, but Old Lahaina is the only one that’s a proper luau company. The other ones are put on by large resorts and there’s really no comparison. You’ll see below.

If Old Lahaina Luau is not available, I’d go with the Te Au Moana Luau or Feast at Mokapu since they are the next best with the ocean in the background.

From photos and videos, I can say the Te Au Moana Luau is probably the closest to Old Lahaina.

A Tasty Welcome To Old Lahaina

I arrived a little before 5:45 pm, just as a crowd started to form around the entrance. Checking in was quick, and not long after, I had a tropical drink in my hands and a fresh lei around my neck.

The experience starts as soon as the guests arrive with the music and greeters.

Each party is personally met and taken to their tables by one of the performers. I noted that every table had a clear view to the stage with the ocean in the background. It was simply breathtaking.

My server was a jovial guy. I half expected someone putting on a whole act, but he just sounded like a chill dude welcoming me to a backyard party. Bonus points. He told me the bar was open.

There was about an hour to kill before the dinner started, so I grabbed a drink and walked around to enjoy the festivities. The sun was starting to set beautifully with a refreshing afternoon breeze.

Around the grounds, there were performers showing guests how to dance the hula and demonstrating the art of Hawaiian craftsmanship.

One guy was making fresh poi, grinding down the root of a taro plant to form a thick paste you eat with the main courses.

Draping fronds from pineapple trees, lush green tropical plants and the most colorful flowers surrounded an evenly spread out array of tables.

I loved the warm wood tables and chairs that fit in so well with the surroundings.

Pulling The Kalua Pork From The Ground

About 20 minutes before dinner, we were invited to gather around a pit oven called an ‘imu‘.

Inside is a deep hole about 3 feet deep and 10-12 feet across filled with volcanic rocks that are heated up with burning wood. The rocks retain the heat, which will be used to slowly cook a large pig, seasoned and wrapped in taro leaves and burlap.

The children were invited to get right up close and everyone had their cameras out for the big reveal.

After a dramatic build-up, the large canvas tarp was unrolled to reveal the star course for the evening. The smell was unbelievable and the meat was falling or just barely hanging off the bones. It’s carefully moved and transported over to the kitchen to be prepared for the buffet.

The sun began to set in sync with the early rumblings of my stomach, gently reminding me that maybe it was time to eat. At the massive buffet spread, I made sure to pile my plates nice and high with a bit of everything – starting with that pork.

I reserved a whole plate just for the poke, a mix of raw fish and octopus flavored with soy sauce and an assortment of other flavors.

Old Lahaina Dinner Menu

Skip this part if you hate food and don’t want to read about some of the things that were offered at the buffet.

Pua’a Kalua – imu roasted pork

Laulau –  tender roasted pork wrapped in taro leaf

Pipi Ko’ala – grilled beef steak

Chicken Long Rice – local version of chicken noodle soup

Moa – island style grilled chicken

I’a – Maui style fish

Poke Ahi – raw yellow fin tuna with green onions, seaweed and Maui onions

Poke He’e – bite sized pieces of octopus mixed with Maui onions and ‘Alae salt

Lu’au Kalo – taro leave stew

Poi – steamed and mashed taro

‘Uala – sliced sweet potatoes

Stir Fry Vegetables – seasonal fresh stir fry vegetables

Local Style Fried Rice – vegetarian fried rice

Island Crab Salad – crab, shrimp, peas and water chestnuts salad

Pohole Salad – fern shoot salad

Lomilomi Salmon – salted salmon mixed with tomatoes and onions

Banana Bread / Hawaiian Sweet Rolls

Assorted Island Dessert – look at the photos

Old Lahaina Luau Show Highlights

Timed perfectly to start with the last bit of daylight, the sound of drums and a tiki torch procession brought out dancers to tell the story of Hawaii’s history and mythology, starting with the island of Tahiti.

I wasn’t able to tell if the costumes were authentic or not, but they looked vibrant and decorative and the dancers looked like they were enjoying their performance and really go the crowd into it.

Final Thoughts On The Old Lahaina Luau

I came alone and had way more fun than I expected. The food was delicious and the view I had was amazing, but every seat had a good view. I know because I moved around to get photos from different angles.

The VIP seats up in front are really right up in the action and you’ll be sitting on the floor on cushions. If you don’t mind that, I think those are best seats in the house.

The drinks were flowing and the service was perfect. I was never without a drink in my hand.

But here’s the best surprise. The Banana Bread. Eat as much as you reasonably fit into your stomach and then treasure the cute little loaf they give you to take home as a gift.

I found that it was great to support a local company and this was easily the best of all the luau I’ve experienced.

Updated on July 11, 2025