Are you looking for the best luaus in Maui for families? Keep scrolling for my honest review of the Old Lahaina Luau on Maui.
This Old Lahaina 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.
I’m pretty obsessed with Hawaiian luaus. I was actually a professional hula dancer for 20 years so I admit that it takes a lot to impress me.
I’ve wanted to go to the Old Lahaina Luau for years, but it never worked out on my previous trips. But it just re-opened!
So, on my recent trip to Maui, I figured I better check it out for myself so I could report back to you!
What is a Luau and What Can You Expect at One?
Before we dive into this Maui luau review, I figured explaining a bit about Hawaiian luaus might be helpful.
A luau is an evening event that features Hawaiian food, music, and hula dancing. It usually lasts a few hours and includes hands-on activities, demonstrations, and audience participation.
But they aren’t all the same. The Old Lahaina Luau is one of the most authentic Hawaiian luaus. Check the latest rates and availability.
Where is the Old Lahaina Luau on Maui?
The Old Lahaina Luau is located at the edge of Front Street in Lahaina. The address is 1251 Front St., Lahaina, HI 96761.
There is free on-site parking in their closest lot as well as an overflow lot across the street.
If you get there early, you can head over to the Lahaina Cannery Mall to do a little shopping!
What to Expect at the Old Lahaina Luau
Arrival
I was told to arrive about 15-30 minutes before my 5:45 p.m. check-in time. I ended up getting there about an hour early (I was worried about traffic) and so I did some shopping at the Lahaina Cannery Mall before heading over.
When I got there, I told them my name and they showed me which entrance I’d head to at 5:45 p.m. They had 2 entrances, which made check-in go really smoothly.
After I told them my name, they gave me a fresh orchid lei and a host walked me to my seat.
A server came around and immediately offered me a complimentary fresh mai tai or non-alcoholic fruit punch. It really hit the spot!
While Old Lahaina Luau used to have family-style seating (pre-pandemic), they now have individual tables for each family/party. I LOVE this.
Sunset Photos
A lot of times at luaus, this is when they would do photos with the dancers, but they don’t do that at the Old Lahaina Luau.
Instead, several photographers are stationed along the oceanside of the property, and they will take photos of your party.
These photos are $20 and will be printed and given to you during dinner. I didn’t see a digital option.
Pre-Show Activities
The only actual activity I saw was Hawaiian lawn bowling. We’ve played this at other luaus, and my kids really enjoyed it. It looked like the kids here enjoyed it too.
There were also a few artisans selling hand-carved wooden artwork as well as jewelry.
There was also the imu presentation, during which they uncovered the pig that had been roasting in an underground oven for hours.
This drew quite a few people. If you’re never seen the presentation before, it’s definitely one of the better ones I’ve seen.
Dinner
I overheard my server tell another table that Old Lahaina Luau is basically a restaurant and that felt true. I mean, it’s a four-course dinner!
Luau food can be totally hit/miss. But I was honestly SO impressed with the quality of food! The standout items for me were the ulu hummus, ahi poke, poi, and the steak.
Oh and don’t get me started on that guava honey butter. I think I’ll be dreaming about that for years!
The food was served family style. I thought the proportions were great, considering just how much food there was throughout the night. Plus, you could always ask for more of something.
Here’s the exact menu:
Starter Course
Maui Harvested Ulu Hummus (Gluten-free, Vegan, and Vegetarian)
Breadfruit cooked & pureed, flavored with roasted garlic, toasted sesame seed, lemon juice & olive oil
Freshly Made Chips (Gluten-free, Vegan, and Vegetarian)
A pair of island starches sliced, fried, and seasoned with Hawaiian Salt
Haupia (Gluten-free, Vegan, and Vegetarian)
A classic treat made with sweetened Coconut Milk
Kūlolo (Gluten-free, Vegan, and Vegetarian)
A baked pudding-like dish of grated cooked taro & coconut milk
Traditional Hawaiian Course
Pua‘a Kālua (Gluten-free)
Tender roasted pig cooked in our beachside, traditional Hawaiian Imu (underground oven)
Lau Lau – Lū‘au Leaf Wrapped Pork (Gluten-free)
Succulent bundles of pork wrapped in taro leaf & seat salt, tied in a ti leaf
Lomi Lomi Salmon (Gluten-free)
A salad of cured salmon, diced tomatoes, sweet onions, and green onion
Fresh Poke ‘Ahi (Gluten-free)
Ahi (Tuna) marinated with shoyu and onions
Pohole Salad (Gluten-free, Vegan, and Vegetarian)
Maui grown fiddlehead (Pohole) ferns, tomatoes, onion, and bean sprouts, tossed in a light dressing
Pa‘i‘ai (Gluten-free, Vegan, and Vegetarian)
A Lu’au staple, pounded taro root that is prepared in-house
Main Course
Pipi Kō‘ala (Gluten-free)
Sous vide and grilled flat iron steak, served with a porcini truffle demi
I‘a – Fresh Catch (Gluten-free)
Fresh caught Pacific fish served with a garlic lemon aioli
Moa – Island Style Chicken
Boneless chicken quarters brined, seasoned, & baked, topped with a liliko’i BBQ Glaze
Seasonal Farm Leafy Vegetables (Gluten-free, Vegan, and Vegetarian)
Tossed with Avocado oil & Hawaiian Sea Salt
Root Vegetables (seasonal) (Gluten-free, Vegan, and Vegetarian)
Roasted rainbow carrots,oil, salt, pepper
Uala – Sweet Potato Mash (Gluten-free, Vegan, and Vegetarian)
Steamed purple sweet potato wrapped in banana leaf topped with coconut cream
Palaoa – Dinner Roll (Taro Roll) (Vegetarian)
House-baked taro dinner rolls
Guava Honey Butter (Seasonal) (Gluten-free and Vegetarian)
Old Lahaina Lu’au original guava-honey whipped Butter
Dessert Course
Pineapple Delight (Vegetarian)
House-made pineapple sponge cake, toasted meringue, garnished with a chocolate Hawaiian petroglyph
Coffee and Tea Service
Moment of Silence
One of the most unique parts of this luau is that the whole staff stopped and gathered up on the stage to sing a song together.
Then, the emcee spoke about the August 2023 Maui fires that devastated the area. There was a moment of silence and it was quite emotional.
Hula Lesson
Before dinner, we were all invited to stand up near our table and learn a few quick hula steps. Then we sat down to learn a few hand motions.
Usually, this is where the audience would all learn a full hula and dance together so it felt a little weird to just learn a few things and be done.
But, I’m also a former hula dancer and I pay attention to things like this. The rest of the audience didn’t seem to mind at all.
Luau Entertainment
I thought the show was superb!
It was about an hour long and they highlighted the voyage from Tahiti to Hawaii. And they did a lot of numbers that showcased the Hawaiian goddess Pele and a few of the popular myths surrounding her.
Then, they talked a bit about the last Hawaiian monarchs, King David Kalakaua and Queen Liliuokalani.
I appreciated that they talked about the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy by the United States government because that’s not often highlighted in luaus.
They talked a bit about the missionaries coming to Hawaii and how the Queen embraced Christianity.
There was a section about plantation days as well as the start of Hawaii tourism in the 1920s.
The modern hula section was great! Lots of dancing with implements (Hawaiian instruments used while dancing), too.
The finale was all about showcasing Tahitian dancing from people who competed down in Tahiti.
Goodbye
They thanked everyone for coming out and supporting Lahaina. And we each got a mini loaf of banana bread, which tasted delicious!
Why We Chose Maui’s Old Lahaina Luau
I’ve been hearing rave reviews about Old Lahaina Luau for years and years (since before I even had this site).
The reviews were SO good that I wasn’t sure people even needed to hear my review, so I visited other Maui luaus on prior trips.
But, after the devastating fires, I realized that Old Lahaina Luau really needed visitors to know that they were back and welcoming tourists.
Maui’s tourism suffered a lot after the fires as people postponed their trips. I figured I’d show them what the experience is like today.
How Does the Old Lahaina Luau Compare to Other Maui Luaus?
I’ll say that this was some of the best luau food I’ve ever eaten on Maui. It’s a close call between Old Lahaina Luau and the Feast at Mokapu in terms of food.
There’s also an option to book a table where you sit on the lawn. I haven’t seen this at any other luau in Hawaii. I overheard a server tell a family that those tables often book out a year in advance!
I really, really like that it’s not a buffet. That means you don’t have to wait for your turn to line up with a million other people to load up your plate.
It felt luxurious to sit back and relax and have my server bring my plates of amazing food and drinks whenever I wanted. Things felt very upscale compared to other luaus.
Traditional Seating vs Table and Chairs
There is no price difference between these seating options, but it sounds like the traditional seating (on the ground) books up quickly.
Personally, I’d try to get the traditional seating if you’re bringing kids. There are cushions to sit on and I think they would be more comfortable. Plus, it’s a front row seat to the show!
I sat sort of in the middle of the table and chair seating and I still had a pretty good view of the stage. The only annoying thing was having some heads in my photos!
Old Lahaina Luau FAQs
What exactly is a luau?
A luau is a traditional Hawaiian party or feast that typically includes entertainment like hula dancing, Polynesian music, and Hawaiian foods.
What kind of food is served at this luau?
The Old Lahaina Luau offers a full Hawaiian course (kalua pork, poi, lomi lomi salmon, etc) as well as a Main course that features steak, chicken, and fish. There are also lots of options for food restrictions.
Are luaus suitable for children?
Yes, most luaus are family-friendly with entertainment and food that appeal to all ages.
What should I wear to a luau?
Casual resort or tropical wear is recommended. Women often wear sundresses or aloha wear, and men wear aloha shirts or casual shirts and slacks.
How long does this luau last?
The Old Lahaina Luau typically lasts about 3 hours, including dinner and the show. I entered at 5:45 p.m. and it ended around 8:45 p.m.
Do I need to book tickets in advance?
Yes, I recommend booking in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons, as luaus are a popular attraction.
Are vegetarian or special dietary options available?
The Old Lahaina Luau has vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options.
Is transportation provided to and from the luau?
No, you’ll need to figure out your own transportation.
So, Is the Old Lahaina Luau the Best Luau on Maui?
I honestly enjoyed the whole experience. I liked the leisurely pace of dinner and appreciated being able to sit back and relax.
I never once felt like cattle being moved from one place to the next (which CAN be the case for other luaus).
The show was the perfect length, too. I looked around and even babies/toddlers seemed pretty engaged throughout the show.
Looking for more Maui luau reviews? Check out Myths of Maui Luau Review, The Feast at Mokapu Andaz Maui Luau Review, and the Grand Wailea Luau Review!
