Luau in Maui, Hawaii
2026 Prices, Shows, and Planning Guide
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Leilani AkoOn This Page
Choosing a luau in Maui, Hawaii, means comparing more than the ticket price. Maui has oceanfront resort productions, Hawaiian-focused performances, and Polynesian dinner shows in Kīhei, Wailea, Kāʻanapali, and Lāhainā. The meal format, cultural focus, seating arrangements, and entertainment vary by venue. Some serve food at the table, while others provide a buffet. Some focus mainly on Hawaiian hula and history, while others include dances and music from several Polynesian cultures. This guide compares current published prices and verified inclusions so you can choose an experience that fits your location, budget, and travel group.
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Published 2026 Prices
Maui Luau Comparison
| Luau | Location | Published Adult Price | Meal and Show Format | Published Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gilligan's Island Luau | Kīhei | Standard $129; VIP $129 | Dinner show at Maui Nui Golf Club | 5:30 p.m.–7:45 p.m. |
| Drums of the Pacific | Kāʻanapali | Standard $129; VIP $129 | Buffet, open bar, imu demonstration, and multi-island Polynesian show | 3 hours |
| Old Lāhainā Lūʻau | Lāhainā | Check the booking calendar | Four-course, restaurant-style dinner and Hawaiian-focused performance | About 3 hours |
| Te Au Moana | Wailea | Standard $129 through August 15, 2026; premium $129 | Three-course family-style dinner, open bar, and storytelling through song and dance | Check selected date |
| The Feast at Mōkapu | Wailea | Classic $129; premium $129 | Multi-course tasting, live music, hula, and Polynesian performance | Check selected date |
| Myths of Maui | Kāʻanapali | Check the booking calendar | All-you-care-to-eat buffet, open bar, imu ceremony, and Polynesian show | Seasonal schedule |
The rates shown are the prices displayed on official operator websites on July 16, 2026. Drums of the Pacific states that its rates are before taxes and fees. Te Au Moana also publishes separate festive-date rates. Prices and availability can change, so review the final checkout total before purchasing Maui luau tickets.
💰 How Much Does a Luau in Maui, Hawaii Cost in 2026?
Among the Maui luaus with publicly displayed prices reviewed for this guide, standard adult admission ranges from $129 to $129. Published premium adult admission ranges from $129 to $129.
Gilligan's Island Luau
Gilligan's Island Luau lists standard adult admission at $129 and VIP admission at $129.
Drums of the Pacific
Drums of the Pacific lists standard adult admission at $129 and VIP admission at $129 before taxes and fees.
The Feast at Mōkapu
The Feast at Mōkapu lists classic seating at $129 and premium seating at $129.
Te Au Moana
Te Au Moana uses date-based pricing. Its standard adult rate is $129 through August 15, 2026, excluding designated festive dates. The standard rate changes to $129 from August 16, 2026, through January 31, 2027. Premium adult seating is listed at $129 on regular dates through January 31, 2027.
Old Lāhainā Lūʻau and Myths of Maui offer online booking, but accessible pages reviewed for this update did not display a fixed adult price. Their rates should therefore be checked through their live booking calendars rather than estimated.
🎶 What Happens at a Hawaiian Luau in Maui?
The schedule depends on the operator, but the verified experiences reviewed for this page commonly combine dinner with music, dance, and cultural storytelling.
🌺 Welcome and Seating
Some venues provide a flower, shell, or kukui nut lei. Seating may be assigned when the reservation is made, based on booking order or divided into standard and premium sections. Check whether your group will have a private table, a communal table, or traditional floor seating. The arrangement can make a noticeable difference for families, older adults, and travelers with mobility needs.
🍖 Dinner Service
Meal service varies considerably. Old Lāhainā Lūʻau serves a pre-set four-course dinner at the table. Te Au Moana serves a three-course family-style meal. The Feast at Mōkapu provides a multi-course tasting. Drums of the Pacific and Myths of Maui provide buffets. Menus are subject to change. Contact the venue before booking when food allergies or dietary requirements are important, as each operator has its own policy.
🎭 Hula, Music, and Storytelling
Hula is a Hawaiian cultural practice that shares stories and ancestral knowledge through dance, chant, and music. The National Park Service also notes that Native Hawaiians recorded and passed on history through oli, mele, and hula. Some Maui productions concentrate on Hawaiian history and hula. Others include performances associated with several Pacific cultures. Review the operator's program description so you understand the focus before booking.
🔥 Fire-Knife Performances
Fire-knife dancing is associated with Samoa rather than being a traditional Hawaiian hula. Maui productions that feature it generally present it as part of a wider Polynesian program. Drums of the Pacific and Myths of Maui both describe their finales as Samoan fire-knife performances.
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Traditional feast, hula, and live music included
🏆 Comparing Popular Maui Luaus
There is no single venue that will suit every visitor. Consider the type of performance, meal service, location, and seating arrangement rather than relying only on a "best luau" label.
Old Lāhainā Lūʻau
Old Lāhainā Lūʻau presents a traditional Hawaiian-focused experience at 1251 Front Street in Lāhainā. Its performance tells parts of Hawaiʻi's history through music, chant, and hula rather than presenting a broad tour of several Pacific cultures.
The meal is a four-course, pre-set dinner served at the table. Published dishes include kālua pig, laulau, lomilomi salmon, ʻahi poke, poi, fish, chicken, and steak. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meals can be requested with at least 24 hours' notice, although the venue says it cannot accommodate allergy requests or other dietary preferences.
Guests can choose conventional tables and chairs or traditional mat seating. Mat seating involves sitting cross-legged on cushions at a low table and does not provide back support. Performances last roughly three hours, with check-in times changing by season.
Drums of the Pacific
Drums of the Pacific takes place at Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa in Kāʻanapali. The official program includes performances connected to Hawaiʻi, Tahiti, the Tuamotus, Rarotonga, New Zealand, and Tonga, followed by a three-person Samoan fire-knife finale.
Admission includes a buffet, open bar, imu demonstration, shell or kukui nut lei, and Polynesian entertainment. VIP seating adds seats closer to the center of the stage, a complimentary photo, and a souvenir gift. The published running time is three hours.
Te Au Moana
Te Au Moana is held at Wailea Beach Resort – Marriott, Maui. Its program draws on stories of fishing, gathering, and voyaging across Oceania. The experience includes a three-course Hawaiian meal served family-style at the table and an open bar.
Premium seating is positioned closest to the stage. Standard seating is behind the premium section and around the outer part of the luau grounds. Children ages six to twelve have separate rates, while children five and younger are free but must still be included in the reservation.
The regular schedule published by the venue includes Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and seasonal Wednesday evenings. Travelers should check the calendar because operating days and availability can change.
The Feast at Mōkapu
The Feast at Mōkapu is presented on the oceanfront lawn at Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort. Its program uses storytelling, hula, live music, and Polynesian performance to discuss Hawaiian culture, history, and the ahupuaʻa where the event is held.
The dinner is described as a multi-course tasting of Hawaiian cuisine. Premium admission includes a private table for the booked party in the premier viewing section. Classic admission uses communal tables in the rows behind the premium section. Seating is assigned according to reservation time, and guests cannot select a specific table when they arrive.
Myths of Maui
Myths of Maui is held at Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows on Kāʻanapali Beach. The venue currently advertises performances seven days a week.
General admission includes an all-you-care-to-eat Hawaiian-style buffet and open bar. The experience also includes a shell lei greeting, an imu ceremony, live Hawaiian music, dances associated with Hawaiʻi, Tahiti, Samoa, and New Zealand, and a fire-knife finale. Admission times change between April and August, and from September to March.
Gilligan's Island Luau
Best ValueGilligan's Island Luau is held at Maui Nui Golf Club in Kīhei. Its official page lists adult standard admission at $129, adult VIP admission at $129, and a published duration of 5:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
Children ages four to twelve are listed at $129 for standard admission and $129 for VIP admission. Children three and younger are free. Among the venues with published prices reviewed for this guide, Gilligan's has the lowest listed standard adult rate.
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🗺️ How to Choose a Luau in Maui, Hawaii
The right Maui luau depends on where you are staying, the type of meal you prefer, and the cultural experience you want. Before reserving, compare the venue's location, performance focus, seating style, accessibility, and full ticket cost. These factors can help you narrow the options and select an experience that works for everyone in your group.
📍 Choose a Convenient Area
Visitors staying in Kāʻanapali can consider Drums of the Pacific or Myths of Maui. Those staying in Wailea can compare Te Au Moana and The Feast at Mōkapu. Gilligan's is in Kīhei, while Old Lāhainā Lūʻau is on Front Street in Lāhainā. Planning an event close to your accommodation can reduce evening travel.
🌺 Compare the Cultural Focus
Old Lāhainā Lūʻau concentrates on Hawaiian stories and hula. Drums of the Pacific, Myths of Maui, and several other productions present a wider Polynesian program. Neither format is automatically better. The right choice depends on whether you want a Hawaiian-focused presentation or a show covering several Pacific cultures.
💰 Check the Final Price and Inclusions
Confirm the following before purchasing Maui luau tickets:
- Whether taxes and fees are included
- Child and infant age limits
- Standard versus premium seating
- Buffet, family-style, or multi-course service
- Alcoholic and nonalcoholic drink inclusions
- Parking charges
- Cancellation terms
- Dietary meal requirements
♿ Review Accessibility Before Booking
Accessibility differs by property and seating type. Old Lāhainā Lūʻau states that it is wheelchair accessible, but guests should provide mobility information when reserving. It also notes that traditional mat seating does not offer back support. Guests with mobility needs should contact any venue directly to confirm the route from parking, ground surface, restroom access, and seating arrangement.
👕 What to Wear and Bring
There is no single dress code covering every Maui luau. Comfortable holiday clothing is generally practical for an outdoor dinner show. Old Lāhainā Lūʻau specifically recommends comfortable clothing and sturdy footwear because high heels can sink into the grass. Guests who plan to drink alcohol should carry valid physical photo identification. Also, bring the reservation confirmation and any medication or mobility equipment needed during the evening.
Don't Wait Too Long
Popular Maui Luaus Sell Out Fast
The most in-demand Maui luaus — especially oceanfront venues in Wailea and Kāʻanapali — fill up weeks in advance during peak season. Reserve early to secure your preferred date and seating.
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📜 Understanding the History of the Lūʻau
Hawaiian feasts were historically known as ʻahaʻaina or pāʻina. According to the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority's GoHawaii site, the first feast resembling a modern lūʻau was probably held in 1819. Before that time, the kapu system included restrictions that separated men and women during meals.
The name "lūʻau" referred to taro leaves used in popular dishes before it became a common term for the feast itself.
Commercial visitor luaus are entertainment experiences rather than a complete representation of Hawaiian culture. Guests can show respect by listening to the stories, recognizing the distinction between Hawaiian and wider Polynesian traditions, and avoiding disruptive behavior during cultural presentations.
Find the Right Fit
Compare Maui Luau Options
| Luau | Location | Meal Style | Best For | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏆 Top Pick The Feast at Mokapu | Wailea | Upscale, table service | Special occasions, couples | Book → |
| 🎭 Best Show Drums of the Pacific | Kāʻanapali | Buffet | West Maui visitors, big show fans | Book → |
| 🌋 Classic Myths of Maui | West Maui | Buffet | Traditional luau lovers | Book → |
| 🌊 Storytelling Te Au Moana | Wailea | Family-style | Culture-focused travelers | Book → |
| 💰 Best Value Kihei Polynesian | Kihei | All-you-can-eat buffet | Budget travelers, families | Book → |
✅ Most venues offer free cancellation · Prices vary by season and package
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Compare Maui luaus, choose the experience that fits your trip, and book before the most popular nights fill up. From Wailea to Kāʻanapali, the right luau is waiting for you.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best luau in Maui?
The best luau in Maui depends on your priorities. Old Lāhainā Lūʻau offers a Hawaiian-focused program and table-served meal. Drums of the Pacific and Myths of Maui provide broader Polynesian productions. Te Au Moana and The Feast at Mōkapu are Wailea options with table-served dining.
How much does a luau in Maui, Hawaii cost?
Among the venues with published rates reviewed on July 16, 2026, standard adult admission ranges from $129 to $129. Published premium adult admission ranges from $129 to $129. Taxes, fees, festive pricing, and date-based rates may affect the final total.
Is a luau in Maui, Hawaii, suitable for children?
The reviewed venues accept children and publish child or infant booking categories. Age brackets differ. For example, Drums of the Pacific classifies children as ages four to twelve, while Te Au Moana uses ages six to twelve. Very young children may be free, but still need to be included in the reservation.
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How long does a Maui luau last?
The published examples reviewed range from approximately two hours and fifteen minutes at Gilligan's to about three hours at Drums of the Pacific and Old Lāhainā Lūʻau. Check-in and gate-opening times may be earlier than the performance start.
Do all Maui luaus include a buffet?
No. Drums of the Pacific and Myths of Maui use buffet service. Te Au Moana serves dinner family-style, Old Lāhainā Lūʻau provides a pre-set four-course meal, and The Feast at Mōkapu describes its dinner as a multi-course tasting.
Should I reserve in advance?
Yes. The Feast at Mōkapu recommends advance reservations, Myths of Maui assigns seats when bookings are made, and Old Lāhainā Lūʻau operates a waitlist when dates are unavailable. Reserve once your date is confirmed rather than relying on same-day availability.
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