8 Luaus on the Big Island (Map, Prices, and 2025 Details)
If you’re a first-timer visiting Hawaii, there is a good chance that going to a luau (lūʻau) is high on your bucket list. In this guide, I go over some of the best luaus on the Big Island so you can choose which one is right for you.
Quick Big Island Travel Guide
If you’re traveling to Kona last minute, be sure you have lodging and tours booked ahead of time (as much as you can)! Below are some of my top picks on the Big Island.
🌋 Best tours and activities in Kona:
- Voyagers of the Pacific luau (my top Big Island luau pick!)
- Big Island in a day (you’ll see volcanoes, waterfalls, coffee farms, and more)
- Kealakekua snorkeling excursion (on a catamaran and has lunch)
🛌 Top places to stay in Kona:
- Kona Tiki Hotel (stayed here and LOVED it – oceanfront in Kona)
- Aston Kona by the Sea (oceanfront luxury in Kona)
🍲 Popular places to eat in Kona: Beach Tree Restaurant & Bar, Kaaloa’s Super J’s, Da Poke Shack, 808 Grindz Cafe
🚗 Traveling to the Big Island independently? Be sure to book your rental car ahead of time to ensure availability!!
At the end of the guide, I will discuss a few FAQs about these Big Island luaus (and luaus in general). You will also find a map of where to find each – so you select one that fits your location on Hawai’i!
If you have any questions about these luaus on Hawai’i... or luaus as a whole, please comment below. Thanks!
Best Luaus on the Big Island (at a Glance)
Don’t have time to read through the entire guide? Here is an overview of the luaus in this guide, including their location.
- Voyagers of the Pacific Luau (Royal Kona Resort in Kona)
- Island Breeze Luau (Courtyard King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel in Kona)
- Hawaiʻiloa Luau (Fairmont Orchid in Waikōloa)
- Hale Hoaloha Luau (Mauna Lani Resort in Waikōloa)
- Legends of Hawaii Luau (Hilton Waikoloa Village in Waikōloa)
- Feast and Fire Luau (Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa in Kona)
- Waikoloa Beach Sunset Luau (Waikoloa Beach Marriott in Waikōloa)
- Mauna Kea Luau (Mauna Kea Beach Hotel just north of Waikōloa)
There are also a couple of other luaus around Kona that are currently unavailable so I omitted them from this list to avoid confusion. I will add them in once I see them available for booking again.
Are you staying in Hilo?
Please note that all luaus on this list are in Kona/Waikōloa area. There is only one that I am aware of in Hilo (Pāwehi Hōʻike at the Grand Naniloa) and it is not always on. I will update this guide with new information if it becomes available.
Table of Contents
Big Island Luaus (the Details)
1. Voyagers of the Pacific Luau
Location: Royal Kona Resort (Kona)
Dates & Time: 5 pm (Monday-Wednesday; Friday)
Duration: 3 hours
Price: from $177/pp
➡️ Book Here
One of the most popular and top-rated luaus on the Big Island is the Voyagers of the Pacific luau at the Royal Kona Resort.
Lasting approximately 3 hours, it offers more evenings per week than other ones across the island, making it great for those looking for a bit of flexibility with their itinerary. There are programs Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Fridays each week.
The Royal Kona Resort offers exceptional views over the Kailua Bay and you can take it all in while enjoying a buffet brimming with traditional Hawaiian food. Each show has a Polynesian production and you will be greeted with a lei upon arrival!
This Big Island luau is wheelchair-accessible and great for visitors of all ages.
2. Island Breeze Luau
Location: King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel (Kona)
Dates & Time: 5:30 pm (Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, and the occasional Wednesday)
Duration: 2-3 hours
Price: from $184/pp
➡️ Book Here
Another popular luau on Hawai’i is the Island Breeze luau, located in the heart of downtown Kona. The show covers different dances and performances from around Polynesia, like Fiji war dances and the hula from Hawaii. The show will conclude with a Samoan fire and knife show which will be a great way to end the evening after enjoying a delicious Hawaiian 22-dish buffet (alongside an open bar!).
Island Breeze luau takes place at the Courtyard Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel on the Kamakahonu Bay. Situated near Ahu’ena, King Kamehameha’s former estate, this luau is wheelchair-accessible.
3. Hawaiʻiloa Luau
Location: Fairmont Orchid (Waikōloa)
Dates & Time: 5:30 pm (Saturday and the occasional Wednesday)
Duration: 2-3 hours
Price: from $203/pp
➡️ Book Here
At the Fairmont Orchid Waikoloa, you will find the popular Hawaiʻiloa luau. Every Saturday (and some Wednesdays during the high season), you can head to the Kohala Coast at the Fairmont Orchid for Big Island luau.
Once there, you will spend 3 hours eating Hawaiian food (including kālua pig!) on a buffet, watching a traditional performance, learn why this region was a sacred place for Hawaiian royalty, and partake in hands-on demonstrations.
The Hawaiʻiloa luau is wheelchair-accessible and has an open bar.
4. Hale Hoaloha Luau
Location: Mauna Lani Resort (Waikōloa)
Dates & Time: 5:30 pm (a few Fridays a month)
Duration: 2-3 hours
Price: from $230/pp
➡️ Book Here
Held at the Mauna Lani Resort by Kalāhuipua’a (a historical area where King Kamehameha came to work at the fishponds), the Hale Hoaloha luau is one-of-a-kind and one of the top luaus on the island. The program begins with a traditional chant (Oli) before getting a chance to see the pig being taken out of the imu pit and put on the buffet to enjoy. The night ends with traditional and modern Hula dances, along with a Samoan knife dance called Siva Afi.
This luau is wheelchair accessible but has a very limited schedule, with most performances being on Fridays but not consistently. Be sure to check their schedule well ahead of time to ensure you can book this luau on your trip!
5. Legends of Hawaii Luau
Location: Hilton Waikoloa Village (Waikōloa)
Dates & Time: 5 pm (Sunday, Tuesday, Friday)
Duration: 3 hours
Price: from $189/pp
➡️ Book Here
Located at the Hilton Waikoloa Village, the Legends of Hawaii luau is a mix of storytelling combined with food, song, and a fire knife dance. It is family fun for all! There are various types of seating, but the cheapest option is the general seating where you will have a chance to enjoy an open bar, tasty Hawaiian food, and the luau show.
One thing I love about the Legends of Hawaii luau is that you have a chance to learn a little of the Hawaiian language at the start. You can also learn the Hula Nohō, as well! The luau is wheelchair-accessible and takes place on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Fridays.
6. Feast & Fire Luau
Location: Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa (Kona)
Dates & Time: 5 pm (Monday, Thursday)
Duration: 2.5 hours
Price: from $175/pp
➡️ Book Here
The Feast & Fire luau takes place on Mondays and Thursdays at the Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa in Kona and is one of the most popular on the Big Island. You can enjoy Polynesian music, dance, fire shows, and Hawaiian food while overlooking the stunning Keauhou Bay.
The menu will offer guests kālua pork, haupia (coconut pudding), taro rolls, and more! This is a wheelchair-accessible luau with an open bar, storytelling, and hula lessons before dinner.
7. Waikoloa Beach Sunset Luau
Location: Waikoloa Beach Marriott (Waikōloa)
Dates & Time: 5 pm (Monday, Wednesday)
Duration: 3 hours
Price: from $163/pp
➡️ Book Here
Waikōloa is home to a few luaus and one of them is the Waikoloa Beach Sunset luau. Taking place on Mondays and Wednesdays, this luau overlooks ‘Anaeho’omalu Bay (A-Bay) and markets itself as the most authentic luau on the island.
At the Waikōloa luau, you can enjoy live Polynesian music, traditional dances from the South Pacific, and delicious Hawaiian fare! The evening will take you on an adventure through Samoa to New Zealand to Hawaii, and beyond. There is a Samoan fire dance that will definitely be one of the night’s highlights!
The menu contains everything from kālua pork to taro rolls, island veggies, lomi lomi salmon (one of my favorites!), poi, and more. This is a wheelchair-accessible luau.
8. Mauna Kea Luau
Location: Mauna Kea Beach Hotel (just north of Waikōloa)
Dates & Time: 4:45 pm (Tuesday, Friday)
Duration: about 3 hours
Price: from $190/pp
➡️ Book Here
On Tuesday and Friday evenings just north of Waikōloa, you will find the Mauna Kea luau at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and Resort. Doors open with a traditional imu ceremony before delighting your taste buds with traditional Hawaiian dishes like poke, poi, kālua pig, lomi lomi salmon, and more. Vegetarian options are also available.
This is a wheelchair-accessible experience.
FAQ
What is a luau?
Luaus (lūʻau in Hawaiian) are one of the most important aspects of Hawaiian culture and they offer food and some form of entertainment, usually with traditional dances and performances.
They also serve as a way to remember an event, like a wedding, military victory, or fruitful harvest. Previously, the men and women dined separately but that all changed in 1819 when King Kamehameha II dined with women for the first time. Today, luaus are a popular thing to do when visiting Hawaii and you can find them across all of the islands (some better than others!).
One of my favorite things about going to a luau is the food – you can find everything from kālua pig (cooked in an imu, a type of earth oven) to poke to poi, and more. Sometimes the food is served buffet style and other times it may come as a plate.
Other things you may see at a luau are leis (keep it on if given one – it is a sign of respect and friendship), live music from across Hawaii and other Polynesian islands, hula, storytelling, and more.
What is the hula?
The hula is a dance that you’ll find in the Hawaiian islands and it is storytelling based with different tempos as the melody goes along.
In the past, the hula was practiced to protect Hawaiian culture and traditions, even if many people today believe it is used as a form of entertainment. Hula Kahiko and Hula ‘Auana are the two main hula dance forms, meaning Old Hula and Modern Hula, respectively.
What to Wear at a Luau
There is no specific attire, but dress comfortably and have fun! You’ll see most people wearing vibrant colors, sandals/flip-flops, and Hawaiian shirts.
These luaus all take place in the evening and are near the water, so you will feel a light breeze coming off the sea. Fortunately, Kona is on Hawai’i’s sunnier coast and doesn’t receive much rain, so you will likely have clear skies and an enjoyable temperature!
Tips For Going to a Luau on the Big Island
Here are some general tips for attending a luau on the Big Island:
✅ Luaus are more than merely a form of entertainment. They mostly revolve around preserving Hawaiian traditions. Please always act with respect.
✅ You’ll receive a lei when you first get to the luau. Since these are friendship symbols, you should wear them during the event. You may be viewed as impolite if you remove it.
20 Fun Things to Do in Hilo: Volcanoes, Waterfalls, & Beyond
✅ Since meat is usually featured on the menu at luaus, be careful to let the host know in advance if you have any dietary concerns (usually within 24 hours so they can prepare).
✅ Allow plenty of time for travel since luaus normally last between two and three hours, though some may last even longer. Also, check with the luau you book about the parking situation on site.
Map of These Big Island Luaus
How To Use This Map
You can use your fingers/mouse to zoom in and out. To get more info about a place, simply touch/click the icons. Want to save this map for later use? Click the ‘⭐’ by the map title and it will add it to your Google Maps account (Saved > Maps or ‘Your Places’).
Do you have any questions about going to a luau on the Big Island? Let me know in the comments. Thanks!
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