Looking for a kid-friendly luau on Kauai? Keep scrolling to read our Smith’s Tropical Paradise luau review!
This Smith’s Tropical Paradise luau on Kauai 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 was ten years old when I first saw Smith’s Tropical Paradise Luau, and it changed everything.
My grandmother split her time between Kauai and Seattle, and every time she came home, she’d bring the best stuff. Kauai Kookies, gecko shoes, Hawaiian stickers, you name it.
But one year, she showed me this VHS tape of the Smith Family Luau.
I watched Tahitian dancers shaking faster than I thought was possible. Maori dancers swinging poi balls in patterns that made my brain hurt.
And then Pele rose out of a volcano while dancing hula, and I absolutely lost it. I needed to see this in person.
A couple years later, we went. It was even better than the video.
That luau is why I became a hula dancer for 20+ years. It’s why I fell in love with Hawaiian culture.
It’s why I’m now a professional tourist who’s been to Hawaii 40+ times and earned my certification as a Hawaii Destination Specialist.
Am I biased about Smith’s? Probably. But after visiting Kauai 25+ times and trying every luau on the island, I still think this is one of the best for families.
Here’s what you actually need to know.
What Makes Smith’s Different from Other Kauai Luaus
Most resort luaus feel the same, right? Standard buffet, hula show, fire knife dancer at the end. Done.
Smith’s is different because it’s not at a resort. It’s in the sacred Wailua River Valley on 30 acres of botanical gardens that the Smith family has owned for almost 80 years.
This is a legit family business now on its fourth generation.
You’re not sitting in a hotel courtyard. You’re in an actual torch-lit amphitheater surrounded by tropical gardens with peacocks wandering around. The stage has a working volcano (yes, really).
Plus, they’re the only luau on Kauai that shows Asian cultures alongside Polynesian ones.
You get traditional dances from Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa, New Zealand, the Philippines, and Japan.
It’s like a mini Polynesian Cultural Center, which makes sense since that’s what inspired the original design back in the 1960s.
If you’re planning your Kauai itinerary and trying to figure out which cultural experiences matter, this luau covers a lot of ground.
Smith’s Tropical Paradise Pricing (2026)
Here’s what tickets cost when you book here:
Full Luau Experience:
- Adults: $150
- Juniors (ages 7-13): $45
- Children (ages 3-6): $35
- Infants (ages 1-2): Free
Show-Only Option:
- Adults: $30
- Children (ages 3-12): $15
- Infants (ages 1-2): Free
Prices include all taxes and fees. No hidden charges.
The food is really good, so I’d do the full experience if your budget allows. But the show-only option exists if you have picky eaters or already have dinner plans.
Hawaii residents get kama’aina rates with a valid state ID.
Getting to Smith’s Luau
The luau is at Wailua Marina State Park on the east side of Kauai: 3-5971 Kuhio Highway, Kapaa, HI 96746.
Parking is free. Just follow the driveway all the way back to the parking area.
Complimentary round-trip transportation is available from select hotels. You can also take an Uber, Lyft, or taxi.
If you’re on the Pride of America cruise ship, round-trip transportation costs $42.50 per person (bus departs the pier at 4:30 PM).
The location is super convenient. It’s close to tons of east shore resorts and vacation rentals, and it’s not a terrible drive from the North Shore or South Shore either.
What to Expect: The Full Smith’s Luau Experience
Let me walk you through exactly what happens so you know how to plan your day.
Check-In Times
March through October: 5:00 PM
November through February: 4:45 PM
Everything starts 15 minutes earlier in winter because the sun sets earlier.
Schedule Breakdown
5:00 PM (or 4:45 PM in winter): Gates open. Get your shell lei greeting and explore the 30-acre tropical gardens. You can take the narrated tram tour (last tour departs at 5:30 PM, or 5:15 PM in winter) or walk the paths on your own.
6:00 PM (or 5:45 PM in winter): Imu ceremony. Watch them unearth the kalua pig from the underground oven.
6:15 PM (or 6:00 PM in winter): Cocktails and music. Open bar with mai tais, beer, wine, soft drinks, and juice. The Smith family performs Hawaiian songs.
6:30 PM (or 6:15 PM in winter): Luau feast begins. Buffet dinner with live music.
8:00 PM (or 7:45 PM in winter): “Rhythm of Aloha” show in the Pele Amphitheater.
Show-only guests: Gates open at 7:30 PM (or 7:15 PM in winter).
The Tropical Gardens
Your admission includes access to the entire 30-acre Smith’s Tropical Paradise Garden. Get there early to explore.
You can hop on the narrated tram (my kids always beg for this) or walk the paths yourself. There’s over a mile of stroller-friendly paths.
The garden is split into sections that showcase different Asian and Pacific Island plants.
You’ll see more than 20 types of tropical fruit growing: breadfruit, star fruit, jackfruit, soursop, macadamia nuts.
There are replicas of Polynesian and Filipino huts, a giant Easter Island Moai statue, and a Japanese garden island.
Peacocks just wander around freely. Kids love it.
The garden is open daily 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM (last entry 3:00 PM) if you want to visit separately. It costs $10 for adults, $5 for kids 3-12, and free for children 2 and under. But if you’re doing the luau, garden access is included.
The Imu Ceremony
If this is your first Hawaii trip, you need to see an imu ceremony. It’s how Hawaiians traditionally cook kalua pig underground.
The emcee gathers everyone around the two imu pits and explains how they cook the pig with hot stones and ti leaves, just like their ancestors did.
Then a couple guys rake the gravel off, open the underground oven, and pull out the cooked pig.
There’s a little smoke but nothing crazy. My kids were mesmerized. My youngest had about a million questions about how the oven worked.
After the ceremony, they leave the pig on display so you can take photos.
The Luau Buffet
The buffet is in an open-air covered pavilion, so you’re protected if it rains. And yes, it might rain. You’re on the wettest island in the rainforest. Don’t let that stop you.
Here’s the full menu (V=Vegetarian, Vegan, GF=Gluten Free):
Salads & Sides:
- Kauai grown green salad with papaya seed dressing (V, Vegan, GF)
- Hawaiian style macaroni salad (V)
- Namasu (Japanese cucumber salad with chopped clams) (GF)
- Lomilomi salmon with tomato, onion, salted salmon (GF)
- Hanalei poi (V, Vegan, GF)
- Fresh breads: Hawaiian sweet bread, guava bread, pineapple bread (V)
- Hawaiian purple sweet potatoes (V, Vegan, GF)
- Chinese fried rice
- Mashed potatoes (V, GF)
- Stir fried vegetables (V, GF)
Entrees:
- Sweet sour mahimahi
- Kalua pig (fresh from the imu) (GF)
- Chicken adobo
- Teriyaki beef (Cousin Gary’s secret recipe)
Desserts:
- Coconut cake (V)
- Haupia (coconut milk pudding) (V, Vegan, GF)
- Imu baked rice pudding (V, GF)
- Fruit jello (GF)
- Hawaiian pineapple and papaya
Drinks:
- Mai tai punch
- Kona Longboard beer
- Chardonnay and Cabernet wines
- Full bar: vodka, scotch, gin, rum, whiskey
- Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Mist Twist
- Guava, pineapple, and orange juices
- Hawaiian fruit punch
The emcee always makes a big deal about how most people won’t like poi. Their poi is good, especially with the kalua pork and lomilomi salmon.
When my kids went, they ate mostly bread and mashed potatoes. Totally normal.
Dinner Entertainment
While you eat, there’s live music, hula dancers, and audience participation.
What I love about Smith’s is that their audience participation is positive. They’re not trying to embarrass anyone. They teach everyone a simple hula called the Hukilau if you want to learn.
My two-year-old sat on my lap doing all the hand motions while we watched. One of those perfect family moments.
The Main Show: “Rhythm of Aloha”
After dinner, you walk to a separate outdoor amphitheater. This matters because you’re not staring at dirty dishes while trying to watch the show.
The seating is stadium-style benches with a roof overhead (so you won’t get wet if it rains), and there really isn’t a bad seat.
The stage has an actual working volcano with an elevator inside. When Pele rises out of it during the show, it looks legitimately cool.
Smith’s is the only Kauai luau that showcases both Asian and Polynesian cultures. Here’s what you’ll see:
Hawaii
Both traditional (kahiko) and modern (auana) hula styles. They use traditional implements like feather gourd rattles (uli uli), split bamboo (pu’ili), and gourd drums (ipu).
Tahiti
Two different styles of Tahitian drum dancing. The dancers come right up to the front of the stage to perform on the ledge near the water.
This is when Pele appears from the volcano and beckons the people of Tahiti to sail to Hawaii. Still gives me chills.
New Zealand
Poi ball dancing with the balls swinging above their heads in crisscross patterns. Then they light the balls on fire. Your kids will lose their minds.
Philippines
The Tinikling dance where performers jump over and between bamboo sticks that seated performers clap together. It’s mesmerizing.
Japan
A storytelling performance that starts with a man fishing from rocks. Women in kimonos dance with cherry blossom branches and fans.
Samoa
The show ends with Samoan fire knife dancing. The performer uses two knives. You can’t really have a proper luau without fire knife dancing.
The show hasn’t changed much in 25 years, and that’s part of why I love it. The songs and dancing still hold up. It’s nostalgic if you’ve been before, and it’s just as magical if it’s your first time.
If you’re curious whether luaus are worth it in general, I talk about this in detail in Episode 6 of Hawaii Travel Made Easy: Are Luaus Worth It? Everything You Need to Know.
Why I Think This Is the Best Family Luau on Kauai
You can customize this experience however you want.
Make it a whole afternoon by exploring the gardens, taking the 3:30 PM Fern Grotto boat ride, riding the tram, watching the imu ceremony, having dinner, and seeing the full show.
Or just do the show without dinner if you have picky eaters or already have dinner plans. The show-only tickets are super affordable.
The fact that it’s not at a resort matters. You’re immersed in the actual experience instead of feeling like you’re at a hotel event. Plus, no resort parking fees.
The east shore location is convenient no matter where you’re staying on Kauai.
And the authentic performances really do show how Hawaiian culture was preserved through songs and dances passed down through generations.
5 Tips for Smith’s Luau
1. Schedule it toward the end of your trip. If you’re worried about jet lag, book this for later in your vacation.
That way your kids will be adjusted enough to stay awake for the show. You don’t want to carry sleeping kids across the grounds to your car.
2. Let your kids go on stage. When they invite people to learn hula, encourage your kids to participate. Even if they have stage fright, stand near your table so they can see you. It’s a great way to engage with a different culture.
3. The show-only option saves money. If budget is tight or your kids won’t eat any luau food, show-only tickets are $30 per adult and $15 per child. Book directly through Smith’s website for this option.
4. Wear bug spray. The outdoor amphitheater is surrounded by water, which bugs love. My husband got eaten alive because we forgot spray. Learn from our mistake.
5. Bring a blanket for winter visits. November through February, pack a beach towel or light blanket. It can get cool at night. We saw lots of families snuggled under blankets during the show.
Operating Schedule
Smith’s doesn’t operate every night. Here’s when they’re open:
February through May: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
June through August: Monday through Friday
September through October: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
November through January: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
Book in advance. This luau is extremely popular and often sells out weeks ahead. Sometimes a month in advance during peak season.
How Smith’s Compares to Other Kauai Luaus
People always ask me about Smith’s versus Luau Kalamaku. Both are authentic, family-friendly luaus on the east side of Kauai.
Smith’s is in Kapaa at the Wailua Marina. Luau Kalamaku is at Kilohana Plantation in Lihue. They’re only about 15 minutes apart, so location isn’t really the deciding factor.
I’ve been to both multiple times as a Hawaii travel expert. You can’t go wrong with either.
Smith’s has the garden setting with more cultural diversity in the show (they include Asian cultures alongside Polynesian). Kalamaku has a more theatrical production with a storyline about ancient Hawaiian voyagers.
Pick based on what style appeals to your family.
If you want a broader cultural experience in a botanical garden setting, go with Smith’s. If you want a more focused Hawaiian narrative in a historic plantation setting, go with Kalamaku.
You can read my full Luau Kalamaku review here.
Final Thoughts
Look, I’m clearly biased because Smith’s is tied to some of my favorite childhood memories.
But after visiting Kauai 25+ times and attending pretty much every luau on the island, I think this is one of the best options for families.
The combination of the botanical gardens, the authentic cultural performances, the family-friendly atmosphere, and reasonable pricing is hard to beat.
If you’re overwhelmed trying to plan your Kauai trip and figure out which activities are worth your time and money, I can help.
I offer personalized Hawaii travel consultations where we talk through your specific family’s needs and build an itinerary that works.
Or if you want to DIY it, grab my Kauai Travel Guide for Families with detailed daily itineraries, kid-friendly activities, and all my insider tips from decades of visiting the island.
You can also join my free 7-day email course on how to plan a trip to Kauai if you’re just getting started.
Ready to book? Reserve your Smith’s Luau tickets here and get ready for an authentic Hawaiian cultural experience your family will remember.
Frequently Asked Questions About Smith’s Luau
What should I wear to Smith’s Luau?
Comfortable clothes for warm afternoon weather. Bring a light sweater because it cools down at night. Most people do aloha shirts for men, dresses or nice tops with pants for women, and anything with an aloha print for kids. You’re outside in gardens, so skip the heels.
Is Smith’s kid-friendly?
Absolutely. This is one of my top recommendations for families visiting Kauai. There are tons of activities (gardens, tram rides, peacocks), the buffet has options even picky eaters will try, and the show keeps kids engaged. You can bring a stroller.
Should I book before my trip?
Yes. Smith’s only operates a few days per week, so spots fill up fast. Book at least a few weeks in advance, especially during summer and holidays. Sometimes they sell out a month ahead during peak season.
What time does everything start?
Check-in is at 5:00 PM (March through October) or 4:45 PM (November through February). Gardens open at check-in, imu ceremony is around 6:00 PM, dinner follows, and the show starts at 8:00 PM. Show-only guests can arrive at 7:30 PM.
Can I just do the show without dinner?
Yes. Show-only tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for kids ages 3-12. Kids 2 and under are free. Book directly through Smith’s website for this option.
Is the Fern Grotto boat ride worth adding?
If you have time, yes. The 3:30 PM Fern Grotto cruise pairs perfectly with the luau since it departs from the same property. You cruise up the Wailua River (the only navigable river in Hawaii), see the Fern Grotto, and get back just in time for the luau. It makes the whole thing feel like a proper half-day cultural adventure.
Does Smith’s offer transportation?
Yes. Complimentary round-trip transportation is available from select hotels. Pride of America cruise ship guests can book transportation for $42.50 per person. You can also Uber, Lyft, or take a taxi.
What if it rains?
It might rain. You’re in the rainforest on the wettest island. The buffet area is covered, and the amphitheater seating has a roof. You’ll stay dry. Don’t let rain stop you from going.
Want more Kauai planning help? Check out my guides on where to see the best Kauai sunsets, the ultimate Kauai packing list for families, whether a Kauai helicopter ride is worth it, and 10 things to know before your Kauai vacation.
