Are you looking for the best luaus in Poipu Kauai? Keep scrolling for this honest review of the Aulii Luau at the Sheraton Kauai.
This Sheraton Kauai Luau review was written by Hawaii travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
If you’re staying in Poipu and want to add a luau to your Kauai itinerary, the Aulii Luau at the Sheraton Kauai should be at the top of your list.
This is Kauai’s only oceanfront luau, and honestly? It lives up to the hype. The setting alone is worth the price of admission, but the food, entertainment, and overall experience made this our family’s new favorite Kauai luau.
My 8-year-old even declared it “the best luau in Hawaii,” which is saying something since we’ve been to quite a few.
Want to skip the planning stress? Book a Hawaii travel consultation and I’ll help you plan your perfect Kauai vacation.
Ready to book? Get your Aulii Luau tickets here.
What Makes a Good Hawaiian Luau?
A traditional Hawaiian luau centers around food and entertainment.
The modern commercial luaus you’ll find in Hawaii typically include a buffet dinner (or sometimes plated meal), open bar with tropical drinks, live Hawaiian music, and Polynesian dancing.
Most luaus last about 2.5 to 3 hours. You’ll usually get drink tickets or unlimited drinks at the bar.
One thing I always tell families: there are no free luaus in Hawaii. You might catch free hula shows at shopping centers, but that’s completely different from a full luau experience.
If you’re wondering whether luaus are worth the investment, I covered this in detail on my podcast, Hawaii Travel Made Easy. Check out my episode Are Luaus Worth It? Everything You Need to Know.
Where is the Aulii Luau?
You’ll find the Aulii Luau at the Sheraton Kauai Resort in Poipu (2440 Hoonani Rd, Koloa, HI 96756).
It’s super convenient if you’re staying anywhere on the south shore. We walked from Koloa Landing Resort in just a few minutes. If you’re coming from the east side, plan for about 20-30 minutes of drive time.
The luau happens on Mondays and Wednesdays with check-in starting at 5:30 PM.
Need a place to stay in Poipu? Search Poipu hotels on Expedia.
Arriving at the Aulii Luau
We saw plenty of parking available, which was nice. But since we were staying so close, we just walked over.
Right when we arrived, a photographer invited us to take photos on the beach during golden hour. This was such a pleasant surprise!
The photos were WAY better than the typical cheesy luau photos we usually get at these events.
We got in line just before doors opened at 5:30 PM. Right on time, the greeters came out with leis.
Since we had premier tickets, we went through the right line and got fresh flower leis. Standard ticket holders went left and received shell leis. Then we were shown to our table.
The Pre-Show Activities Were Amazing
Before I even made it to our table, my son spotted all the activity stations and took off.
First stop: a guy weaving coconut frond headbands. He was incredibly patient with my son and helped him make one that fit perfectly.
Then he asked if my son wanted to crack open a coconut. Of course he said yes! They husked it and cracked it open so he could drink fresh coconut water.
Next up was poi pounding. I haven’t seen this at recent luaus, so it felt extra special. The demonstrator let my son try pounding the poi himself.
Then my son found the airbrush tattoo station. He got tribal shark teeth on his arm first, and later the artist came around to tables and gave him a pineapple tattoo on his hand.
We also took surfboard photos with the photographer. The timing was perfect since we still had our leis and my son had his new coconut headband.
Other activities we saw but didn’t get to: Hawaiian fishing net throwing, hula implement demonstrations, and sunset photos on the beach.
There were also vendor booths with local art, Aulii merchandise, and fresh flower leis.
The whole pre-show setup was thoughtfully done. It gave kids (and adults) plenty to do while everyone arrived and got settled.
Bar and Drinks at Aulii Luau
One of the most popular pre-show activities? Getting drinks!
You enter the hotel bar to grab pre-made cocktails. Mai Tais and Blue Hawaiians are the classics. You’ll get a wristband showing you’re part of the luau.
There’s also a station near the buffet with POG (passion fruit, orange, guava juice), water, hot tea, and coffee.
The Food: What to Expect at Aulii Luau
Since we had premier tickets, we got a plated appetizer bento box for two. It included ginger tofu salad, Hawaiian chili pepper beef pipi kaula, tako poke, and cucumber kimchee.
Standard ticket holders went to a small buffet for appetizers: crispy Hawaii potato chips, sesame garlic edamame, Hawaiian chili pepper beef pipi kaula, and roasted Hawaiian purple potatoes.
We noticed some premier tables sneaking over to grab potato chips for their kids, which made me laugh.
For the main buffet, everyone lines up. The first section has smaller portions of unique foods you might want to sample: Kilauea island greens, vegetable crudite, cucumber salad, local-style potato mac salad, ahi ogo poke, soba noodle salad, lomi lomi salmon, and Hanalei poi.
The main entrees include island veggie chow mein noodles, fresh Kauai fish, kalua pig and cabbage, grilled marinated beef, huli huli rotisserie chicken, steamed sticky white rice, and taro rolls.
Save room for dessert! The dessert buffet was incredible: mango cake, coconut cake, pineapple upside down cake, chocolate brownies, and fresh pineapple slices.
The food quality was really good. Everything tasted fresh and well-prepared. I’ve been to luaus where the buffet feels like an afterthought, but not here.
The Pre-Show Entertainment
Throughout dinner, there was fantastic live music and several hula performances. The emcee shared information about ancient Hula Kahiko style dancing between numbers.
We watched both solo performances and cute hula couple dances. But honestly? The keiki (kids) hula girls stole the show. They were adorable, and we rarely see children performing at luaus. Total bonus!
The Main Show: Polynesian Dancing Across the Pacific
The costumes at this luau are probably the best I’ve seen at any Hawaiian luau. They’re absolutely stunning. Whoever designed them deserves major credit.
The show kept us completely engaged the whole time. Here’s what you’ll see:
Tahitian Dancing
If you want exciting hip action and fast-paced energy, the Tahitian section delivers. Both men and women performed, and the whole audience was having a blast watching.
The men even came on stage with fire to light the torches, which was super cool. The section ended with an Aparima-style Tahitian dance that looks similar to hula, creating a nice transition into the Hawaiian portion.
Hawaiian Hula
The hula segment was really well done. We loved seeing both men and women dancing, and they incorporated lots of hula implements.
The ladies even performed a beautiful hula dance with fire!
The story was about how people would throw torches from the cliff at Haena, and the longer the torch lingered in the air, the longer the love would last between two people. So romantic and uniquely Hawaiian.
Maori Dancing
Something that sets Aulii Luau apart: they included Maori performers from New Zealand. A Maori warrior came out doing a chant while walking around the stage with a spear.
Then the ladies came out with poi balls for dances, and the men performed a traditional Haka dance. The energy was incredible, and all those facial expressions meant to scare off enemies in ancient times were captivating.
Samoan Dancing
I always appreciate when luaus showcase Samoan dancing beyond just fire knife dancing.
Aulii does a fantastic job showing variety, including the Sasa (a captivating clapping dance).
Of course, they also have a fire knife show featuring three chiefs! My photos were too blurry, so I just put my camera down and enjoyed the moment.
Photos with the Cast
We were thrilled to have the chance to take photos with the performers. Many luaus stopped doing this during the pandemic, so we never know what to expect anymore.
They had two photo opportunities on the stage. We hit up both!
The professional photos were $25 each or 5 for $100. We thought they were absolutely worth it since the quality rivaled a mini photography session.
And yes, the photographer edited all the photos during the luau and had them ready when we left. We received our digital copies via email the next morning.
The lighting in Poipu during the evening is gorgeous, so the photos turned out beautifully.
If you want even more professional family photos during your Hawaii trip, check out Flytographer and save $20 when you use my link.
Premier vs. Standard Seating: Which Should You Choose?
We upgraded to premier tickets because we like being close to the stage. This guaranteed us seats within the first four rows. We ended up front row, sharing a table with a honeymooning couple.
The main perks beyond the killer view: shorter entrance line, fresh flower lei or kukui nut lei (instead of shell lei), plated appetizer, and first access to the buffet.
Standard seating runs around $190 for adults, while premier seating starts at $225. Kids 3 and under are free.
Since we were already investing in luau tickets, we figured we might as well splurge for guaranteed better seats. No regrets! Check current prices and book here.
Why This Became Our Favorite Kauai Luau
We’ve been to luaus on Kauai’s east shore and north shore, but we hadn’t tried one in Poipu yet. Since so many families stay in Poipu, I knew I needed to check it out.
The Aulii Luau had been on my Kauai bucket list for years. I kept seeing gorgeous photos on their website and Instagram. The costumes looked amazing, and all the performers looked genuinely happy.
Sometimes you really can judge a book by its cover.
After experiencing it ourselves? I can confidently say this is our new favorite Kauai luau. My 8-year-old proclaimed it the “best luau in Hawaii,” and coming from a kid who’s been to several, that means something.
We were thoroughly impressed with everything. The professional beach photos were brilliant. The greeters were lovely. The drinks were fantastic. The food was tasty. The entertainment was incredible.
Plus, the location is so convenient if you’re staying at any Poipu resort. We literally walked from Koloa Landing.
How Does It Compare to Other Hawaii Luaus?
This definitely felt more upscale than any other Kauai luau we’ve attended. Nothing felt hokey or overtly touristy.
Even the buffet dinner was arranged beautifully with smaller serving dishes instead of the usual large chafing dishes.
I’d say it’s similar in quality to the Feast at Mokapu or Feast at Lele on Maui in terms of how refined the whole experience feels.
The Aulii Luau also felt more intimate than other Kauai luaus. It’s held on a grassy lawn right by the ocean, and it almost feels like you’re at a really nice wedding reception.
As a professional tourist and Hawaii travel expert who’s been to dozens of luaus across the islands, this one stands out.
Quick Kauai FAQs
What is Poipu known for?
Poipu is a resort community on Kauai’s south shore. It’s famous for snorkeling, sandy beaches, and tons of restaurant options. It’s super kid-friendly with several beaches perfect for families.
Is Poipu a good place to stay?
Yes! It’s one of the most popular areas for tourists on Kauai. You’ll find plenty of nearby activities and tours, great shopping and dining, and some of the best resorts on the island. Search Poipu accommodations on Expedia.
What’s the weather like in Poipu?
While Kauai is known for being a rainy island, the south shore is typically dry and sunny. If you see rain in the forecast during your trip, head to Poipu or the west side for better weather.
When does the Aulii Luau happen?
Currently, the luau is held on Mondays and Wednesdays with check-in at 5:30 PM. Book your tickets here.
Final Verdict: Is the Aulii Luau Worth It?
Here’s my honest answer: absolutely, yes.
The Aulii Luau exceeded our expectations in every way. It’s the perfect blend of authentic Hawaiian culture, delicious food, talented performers, and that unbeatable oceanfront Poipu setting.
If you’re staying in Poipu, this is a complete no-brainer. But honestly? I’d recommend it to anyone staying on Kauai’s east, south, or west side. The drive is worth it.
We were blown away by the quality of the show, the variety of food options, and all those pre-show experiences that kept my son entertained for an hour. This definitely felt like money well spent, not just another tourist activity we checked off a list.
My 8-year-old said it best when he declared it “the best luau in Hawaii.” And coming from a kid who’s been dragged to luaus across four islands, that’s high praise.
If you’re comparing different Kauai luaus, I’ve also reviewed Smith Family Luau, Luau Kalamaku, Luau Ka Hikina, and the Ahi Lele Fire Show so you can see how they stack up.
Ready to Plan Your Kauai Trip?
Planning a Hawaii vacation can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to figure out which activities are worth your time and money.
That’s exactly why I created my Kauai Travel Guide for Families. It includes detailed daily itineraries, kid-friendly activities, restaurant recommendations, and all the insider tips I’ve learned from visiting Kauai over 40 times.
Want to start planning right now? Sign up for my Free 7-Day Email Course: How to Plan a Trip to Kauai.
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If you’re feeling overwhelmed and want personalized help, book a Hawaii travel consultation with me. I’ll answer all your questions and create a custom itinerary based on your family’s interests and travel style.
Don’t forget to grab a rental car for exploring the island. I always use Discount Hawaii Car Rental because they compare all the major companies and consistently have the best prices.
Planning to visit multiple islands during your trip? My Hawaii Island Hopping Guide will help you figure out the perfect itinerary and avoid common mistakes that waste time and money.
Book your Aulii Luau tickets here and get ready for an unforgettable evening on Kauai’s beautiful south shore.
Looking for more Kauai luau reviews? Check out our reviews of Smith Family Luau, Luau Kalamaku, Luau Ka Hikina, and the Ahi Lele Fire Show!
