Okay, I just saw Cirque du Soleil’s Auana in Waikiki with my 12-year-old and I need to tell you about it because we were both completely blown away.
I was actually really nervous going into this. I’ve been dancing hula for over 20 years and I’m kind of a stickler when it comes to authentic Hawaiian culture.
When I heard Cirque was doing a Hawaii-themed show, I had visions of tourist-y stereotypes and performers who learned three basic hula moves and called it good.
But this was different. Really different.
What Actually Happens During the Show
The show starts in the most unexpected way. There’s this guy in the audience who we all thought was just some drunk heckler messing with the slack key guitar player.
People were laughing uncomfortably because it seemed so real.
Then he ended up being the host who wove all the stories together throughout the entire show. Brilliant.
My son kept whispering “wow” throughout the entire 80-minute show. And honestly, same.
There was this female acrobat who did contortions inside and outside a fishbowl full of water and I still cannot figure out how she did it.
Two guys did acrobatic stunts while balancing on an actual beach chair – not some sturdy prop, but the kind of beach chair you’d buy at Costco.
The swing act had performers flipping onto a net positioned right in front of the audience.
We were in section 102, row E, and we were close enough to feel the energy when they landed.
The finale had two guys running in circles high in the air and it was so intense that I noticed some of the younger kids in the audience gripping their parents’ arms.
How Auana Compares to Other Cirque Shows
I’ve seen Cirque shows before – Alegría, Luzia, and Crystal (the one on ice) when they came through Seattle. Those were all in massive venues with stages that felt like they went on forever.
Auana is completely different.
The stage is way smaller and the theater only seats 784 people. That means the acts feel more intimate because the performers don’t need to fill this enormous space.
I’m guessing there are basically no bad seats in this theater because it’s so much smaller than the usual Cirque venues. You can check out the seating chart to see what I mean.
What really stood out to me compared to other Cirque shows is that most of their productions use a made-up language. But hearing actual Hawaiian throughout Auana was incredible.
And at one point they sang Somewhere Over the Rainbow in Hawaiian and I immediately recognized it as Bruddah Iz’s version even though the lyrics were completely in Hawaiian. That gave me chills.
The Hawaiian Culture Part (From Someone Who Actually Dances Hula)
The Hawaiian cultural elements were woven throughout in a way that felt really respectful. They incorporated hula kahiko – that’s ancient Hawaiian hula – and not just the basic stuff.
This was the real deal with oli chanting, ipu drum, nose flute, and slack key guitar.
They touched on ancient Hawaii, voyaging traditions, those 1930s beach boy vibes, surfing culture, salt flats, and even threw in a Hawaii Five-O reference that made everyone laugh.
It wasn’t educational in a heavy-handed “let me teach you about Hawaiian culture” way. The elements felt woven into the story naturally.
As a professional tourist who’s made 40+ trips to Hawaii over 20 years and works as a Certified Hawaii Destination Expert, I can tell you this is one of the few tourist-oriented shows that actually gets the balance right between entertainment and cultural authenticity.
Should You Do a Luau or Auana (Or Both)?
People ask me all the time in my Hawaii travel consultations whether they should do a luau or see Auana.
My answer is they’re completely different experiences and ideally you’d do both if you have the time and budget.
A luau gives you the full cultural experience with a meal, imu ceremony, learning about Hawaiian traditions, usually some audience participation.
Auana is pure theatrical entertainment that happens to honor Hawaiian culture. No food, no audience participation, just world-class acrobatics and storytelling.
We’ve done plenty of luaus and we’ve seen Rock-A-Hula too. They’re all great options for evening entertainment. But Auana is in a different category entirely.
Where It Is and How to Get There
The show is at the OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel on Kalakaua Avenue. We walked from the Hyatt Regency in about five minutes and honestly you could walk there from pretty much any Waikiki hotel.
If you’re driving or staying outside Waikiki, you can park at the Waikiki Parking Garage or the International Marketplace Garage.
Ticket Prices and Seating
They have shows Wednesday through Sunday at 5:30pm and 8:00pm. Tickets start at $86 Outrigger but pricing varies quite a bit based on seating section and how far out you book.
Our seats in section 102, row E would normally run about $150 each. The view was fantastic – we could see everything clearly and felt close to the action without being so close that we’d miss anything happening on the sides of the stage.
Sometimes they have packages or promotions that make it more affordable.
Things I Wish I’d Known Before Going
Something I wish I’d known: we grabbed spam musubi from the ABC Store on our walk to the show and that was such a smart move.
They sell popcorn, candy, and drinks at the theater – water was $6, pina colada was $17 – but we were too hungry for just snacks. If you’re doing the early show especially, grab some real food beforehand.
We got there right when doors opened at 4:45pm for the 5:30pm show and honestly we should have arrived closer to showtime. There’s not much to do except buy snacks and find your seat and wait.
Next time I’d show up maybe 15-20 minutes before it starts.
The show was pretty packed when we went in February with only the furthest seats still available. If this is on your list, book before you leave for your trip. Don’t wait until you get to Waikiki and hope for tickets.
Best Time to See It During Your Trip
We did the early show on our second day on Oahu and by the time it ended around 7pm we were pretty exhausted. The first couple days in Hawaii always hit us hard with the time change and all the activities.
If you’re doing the 5:30pm show, I’d suggest planning a lighter day before – maybe a beach morning and some shopping or pool time in the afternoon.
Or go for the 8pm show if your family are night owls and can handle staying up late. Just know that if you have little kids, the later show might be too much.
Who Should Skip This Show
Actually, if you have little kids or kids who need to wiggle around and can’t sit still for 80 minutes straight, I’d skip this show entirely. I saw elementary-age kids in the audience but not many younger than that.
It’s not that anything is inappropriate – it’s just a long time to sit still in the dark watching a performance.
And some of the high-flying acts are pretty intense. Nothing was scary exactly, but the finale with those guys running in circles way up in the air had some younger kids looking nervous.
This show works best for families with kids probably 8 and up who are used to sitting through performances. Or honestly, it’s perfect for adults without kids who just want a really high-quality show.
Is It Actually Worth the Price?
When we first looked at tickets they would have been close to $300 for the two of us and I was on the fence at that price. It’s hard to compare to a luau because they’re such different experiences.
A good luau runs $100-200 per person and includes a full dinner and usually runs 2-3 hours. Auana is $86-150+ per person for just the 80-minute show with no food.
But having seen it? I’d absolutely go again, especially if I was bringing visitors who hadn’t experienced it yet.
The intimacy of that smaller theater and the quality of the performances makes it worth the cost if you’re a Cirque fan or if you want something beyond the typical tourist activities.
If you’re planning a multi-day Oahu trip, I’d work this into a Waikiki-focused day. Especially if you’re staying in Ko Olina or up on the North Shore, you’re already making the drive into Waikiki so you might as well fill that day with Waikiki activities.
Do some beach time at Waikiki Beach, walk around, maybe hit up some of the things to do in Waikiki, grab dinner, then catch the show. It’s a nice activity for mid-trip when you want something structured but not too demanding.
I recommend this show in my consultations to two specific types of families: families who don’t want to do a luau this trip but still want some evening entertainment, and Cirque fans who want to see how they’ve adapted their artistry specifically for Hawaii.
It’s also perfect for repeat visitors who’ve already done the standard Oahu activities and want something new.
If you’re planning your first Oahu trip and trying to figure out how to structure everything, my free 7-day email course on planning a trip to Oahu walks you through prioritizing activities based on your family’s interests and timeline.
And my Oahu travel guide for families has all my best recommendations for things to do on Oahu with kids beyond just Waikiki.
You can buy tickets online, by phone at +1-877-924-7783, at the box office in the OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel lobby, or at the Auana Kiosk on Kalakaua Avenue Cirque du Soleil.
The show runs year-round so you don’t need to stress about it being sold out for your dates or anything.
Frequently Asked Questions About Auana
How long is Cirque du Soleil Auana?
The show runs 80 minutes with no intermission. Factor in arriving early, grabbing your seats, and maybe buying snacks, and you’re looking at about a 2-hour time commitment total.
Can you take photos or videos during the show?
I didn’t see anyone taking photos during the performance and there weren’t any announcements about it, so I’m assuming it’s the typical no photography policy during the show. You’re there to watch it live, not through your phone screen anyway.
What’s the minimum age for kids?
Children aged 3-11 can enjoy discounted tickets, and children 2 and under may attend for free, provided they sit on a parent’s lap Cirque du Soleil. But honestly, I wouldn’t bring anyone under 7 or 8 unless they’re used to sitting still for long performances. It’s 80 minutes in the dark and some kids just aren’t ready for that yet.
Where do you park for Auana?
If you’re driving, park at the Waikiki Parking Garage or the International Marketplace Garage. But if you’re staying anywhere in Waikiki, just walk. It’s easier and you don’t have to deal with parking fees.
What should you wear to the show?
This is Hawaii. Wear whatever you’d wear to a nice dinner – resort casual works fine. We wore shorts and nice shirts. No one was in formal wear.
Can you bring food into the theater?
I didn’t see anyone bringing in outside food, but we definitely should have eaten beforehand. The theater sells popcorn and candy but if you’re hungry, grab something real before you go.
How far in advance should you book tickets?
Book before you leave for your trip. The show was pretty full when we went and this is a small theater compared to most Cirque venues, so seats go faster than you’d think.
Is Auana better than a luau?
They’re not comparable. A luau is a cultural dinner show experience. Auana is a theatrical performance. Do both if you can. If you can only do one and you want to learn about Hawaiian culture while eating, do a luau. If you want world-class acrobatics, do Auana.
Where can you buy tickets?
You can buy tickets online, by phone at +1-877-924-7783, at the box office in the OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel lobby, or at the Auana Kiosk on Kalakaua Avenue Cirque du Soleil. I’d book through Viator or Get Your Guide to compare prices.
Does the show run year-round?
Yes, Wednesday through Sunday at 5:30pm and 8:00pm. So you don’t need to worry about it being seasonal or sold out for your specific dates.
My Final Take as a Hawaii Travel Expert
If you’re trying to figure out which Oahu activities are actually worth your time and money versus which ones you can skip, that’s exactly what I help families navigate as a Hawaii travel expert.
Sometimes one consultation saves you from spending hundreds of dollars on experiences that don’t fit your family’s style or interests. You can learn more about my Hawaii travel consultation services here.
And if you want to hear more about Oahu planning tips and insider Hawaii advice, I share all of that on my podcast Hawaii Travel Made Easy.
My son is already asking when we can go back to see Auana again. That’s probably the best review I can give.
When a 12-year-old who has access to every form of entertainment imaginable wants to see a 80-minute acrobatic show again, you know it was good.
If you need help booking a place to stay in Waikiki for your trip, check out Expedia to compare hotel prices and locations.
And if you want professional photos from your Hawaii vacation – whether at the beach, at a lookout, or wherever you want – Flytographer can capture your family in action.
You’ll save $20 when you use my link and trust me, those professional photos are worth every penny when you’re looking back on your trip years later.
Disclosure: I got press tickets from Cirque du Soleil in order to review this production. All opinions are my own. This show has been on my bucket list since it opened and it lived up to the hype.
Looking for more things to do on Oahu at night? Check out Toa Luau: North Shore Oahu Luau Review, Rock-a-Hula Waikiki Review: Elvis Meets Hawaiian Culture (Is It Worth the Cost?), What to Expect at the Experience Nutridge Luau in Oahu