All the luaus on the Big Island are located on the Kona or Waikaloa coasts
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 Best
Luaus in the Big Island of Hawaii |
 Island
Breeze - King Kamehameha Luau - Hawaiian Luau Feast |
| Island
Breeze - Fairmont Orchid at Mauna Lani Luau - Hawaiian Feast |
| Island
Breeze - Sheraton Keauhou (Firenesia Luau) - Hawaiian Luau Feast |
| Royal
Kona Resort Luau - Hawaiian Feast |
| Waikoloa
Beach Marriott Luau - Hawaiian Luau Feast |
Hawaii Luaus
On the Big Island of Hawaii they hold the quintessential Hawaiian Luau.
There is nowhere else on the planet that you can truly attend an authentic Hawaii Luau outside the Islands and the Big Island offers you a wonderful variety of them.
Though there are many Big Island of Hawaii luaus, they all display certain similarities:
The Food: Sharing of the "gift of food" is an integral part of every Luau. The main ingredient of any luau is "Kalua Pork" or pig. Preparations for the cooking of the pig begin early the day of the luau. A large pit called an "imu" is dug in the sand. Dry, hardwood Kiawe wood (known in North America as Mesquite) is placed into the pit with rounded river rocks assembled on top. The wood is lit on fire and after a couple of hours all that is left on the bottom are hot coals and incredibly hot rocks which will maintain the heat for hours to come. The rocks are then spread evenly on the bottom and juicy, fresh cut banana stalks are placed on top. Finally, a layer of banana leaves provide a bed for the pig. The pig is then place in the pit and covered with more banana leaves and ti leaves and usually a gunnysack to keep the heat in. Finally the pit is covered with a tarp and beach sand. The rocks heat the juicy banana stalks causing a pressure cooker effect in the imu. After 6 to 8 hours the finished pig is unveiled. The intense steam has cooked the meat so it just falls away from the bone and the moisture from the banana stalks has kept the meat moist and delicious.
Other delicacies which are usually provided at a luau are chicken long rice, lomi lomi salmon, haupia (coconut desert), poi (very nutritious), veggies, salad, steaks, roasted chicken, fresh fish, rice, lots of specialty items, deserts and much more. An open bar is usually provided which includes Mai Tais and other adult beverages while the children are provided with lots to drink. Although you will probably find and number of the items on your plate unusual to say the least, you can always be assured that there will still be plenty of food available that still has some semblance of what you are familiar with.
The Entertainment: Another integral part of every luau is of course the entertainment included from many of the various cultures from Polynesia. Here you will find some variation with regard to what various luaus provide. Only a very few of the luaus are traditional Hawaiian in that they will only provide dance and song of the hula that is specific to the culture of old Hawaii. The vast majority of the others will provide entertainment that can be found from other cultures throughout the Pacific Rim such as from Tahiti, Samoa (with its famous fire dance), Fiji, and New Zealand. All luaus are always held during sunset. Most are located on beautiful beach locations with a view of the setting sun over the ocean. They will last about three hours or so in duration and there is no question that you will not only leave full and happy, but with an extra bit of the "Spirit of Aloha" that Hawaii is famous for.
Luaus and Shows Buffets in Hawaii - Options Below:Island Breeze - Fairmont Orchid at Mauna Lani Luau - This luau prides itself in its variety of culinary offerings. Dine on the treasures of Hawaii, Samoa, New Zealand and Tahiti. As guests travel from culinary island-to-island you will have the opportunity to taste those dishes that are the pride of Polynesian culture. From fresh seafood to Papaya Chicken and Tropical Fruit, creating an authentic blending of local Hawaiian favorites that must be experienced while in the islands. A Polynesian show will provide entertainment; using a fusion of both traditional Polynesian and modern dance choreography, the dancers of Island Breeze retell the story of the settlement of the Pacific. |  Island Breeze - Fairmont Orchid at Mauna Lani Luau Price Range: (From: $91.99 - To: $91.99) |
Island Breeze - King Kamehameha - Many consider this luau a "Royal Hawaiian Experience". This traditional luau is held on the beachfront of historic and picturesque Kamakahonu Bay and the grounds of Ahu Ena (Kamehameha-the-Great's former estate at Kailua Kona). The evening begins with a shell lei greeting, picture taking and a display of Polynesian crafts and demonstrations to learn about island traditions. Torches are lit and the conch shell is blown announcing the arrival of the Hawaiian Royal Court by outrigger canoe, the Imu ceremony follows. The Polynesian show will start soon after; a favorite dance of everyone is the dangerous and daring Fire Knife Dance. |  Island Breeze - King Kamehameha Price Range: (From: $44.50 - To: $66.90) |
Island Breeze - Sheraton Keauhou (Firenesia Luau) - Sheraton Keauhou Resort Luau Firenesia with Island Breeze Productions is very special indeed. The Luau at the Sheraton Keauhou Bay is one of the most popular luaus on the Big Island. The Sheraton Keauhou Resort Luau Firenesia offered by Island Breeze Productions offers an exciting luau for the whole family. Most luaus have fallen into an old and tired pattern, all featuring similar Polynesian songs and dances. Firenesia Luau is very different. This luau is different from the other Big Island Luaus. Not only does the Sheraton Keauhou Resort Luau Firenesia with Island Breeze Productions feature authentic and historical Hawaiian songs, dances, music, language and chants, but it also tells you real stories about Hawaiian tradition, mythology, and lore. Firenesia a lei of fire, a never ending circle that joins people, places and events together so that they become one. The Luau at the Sheraton Keauhou Bay really has it all when it comes to one of the Big Island Luaus. |  Island Breeze - Sheraton Keauhou (Firenesia Luau) Price Range: (From: $75.90 - To: $75.90) |
Royal Kona Resort Luau - The "Lava - Legends and Legacies" is an authentic journey through the South Pacific Islands of Hawaii, Tahiti, Fiji, Samoa and New Zealand. Join the talented cast of musicians, drummers and dancers for a fast paced musical revue culminating with a spell binding Samoan fire knife dance. |  Royal Kona Resort Luau Price Range: (From: $58.99 - To: $58.99) |
Waikoloa Beach Marriott Luau - The Luau at The Waikoloa Beach Marriott, an Outrigger Property is not just a feast but an experience of the music, art and dance of Polynesia. An ancient chant welcomes all to witness the opening of the imu, the underground pit where a whole pig has been cooking all day. Following dinner journey to Tahiti, New Zealand, Hawaii and Samoa through the songs and dance of these Pacific cultures. The Samoan fire dance is a spellbinding finale! |  Waikoloa Beach Marriott Luau Price Range: (From: $80.90 - To: $80.90) |
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Big Island of Hawaii Luaus - Every Hawaiian island has its luaus and if the Big Island is the island you’ve decided to visit, then you should do a luau here. No trip to Hawaii is really complete without one. This is the one activity that is so totally Hawaiian that to miss it would be to miss a link to the origins of old Hawaii. The food, the drink, the hula and entertainment, and the general social setting of this Hawaiian party is certain to make this evening a memorable highlight of your Hawaiian experience.