Maui Luau FAQs Answered

What is a Luau?

A luau is a traditional Hawaiian gathering and feast. It has three main elements: traditional Hawaiian feast, mele (song) and hula (dance). The first recorded luau was held by King Kamehameha II in 1819. Today families in Hawaii will sometimes celebrate special occasions with luaus. These are however private and not open to the public.

Is a luau authentic?

Commercial operators have stepped in and organize luaus for tourists to attend. Typically they are held at or near resorts next to the beach with sunset views. They will include a meal of traditional Hawaiian foods (including roasted pig). Typically drinks are included (Mai Tai, Pina Colada, Blue Hawaiian etc). After-dinner entertainment will include various hula dances, perhaps a fire or knife dancer etc. Are they authentic? Well, considering that they are a commercial business, they are okay. Definitely check out reviews on Trip Advisor, the Maui Time’s ‘Best of Maui’ section and other review sites to see what others have thought. Additionally we have a great concierge (Concierge Connection) that can recommend a Luau near you, and help with great seats.

Should you book a Maui luau?

It depends what you are expecting. If you want to try authentic Hawaiian foods and enjoy a Hawaiian-esque show, book a luau. The food is usually very good, and I am not sure where else to go for traditional roast imu pig (it is so good). However,  Unfortunately an old favorite, the Ulalena show in Lahaina, – a great indoor show, depicting the history of the Hawaiian islands with great live music and dance closed in 2018. Many Luaus  (The Old Lahaina Luau for one) give a great narration explaining the history of the islands..

What is the best luau on Maui?

I recommend seriously considering the luaus near your condo. Keep in mind the free drinks and how far you will need to drive after the luau. Maui Police cracks down on impaired driving, so unless you have a designated driver, plan on taking a cab. Uber is also now on Maui. Remember that the drive from Lahaina to Kihei/Wailea can take an hour in post-luau traffic (and that’s if there is no accident on the two-lane highway).

If you prefer a sit-down dinner, check out The Feast at Mokapu Lūʻau at the Andaz in Wailea.  Pricy but Amazing from $140 for children to $363 for permium adult seating) Mostl other luaus on Maui are buffet-style which is nice as you get to pick and choose what you want to eat. The Old Lahaina Luau consistently rates well. The Grand Luau at Honua’ula (Grand Wailea) and Te au Moana (Wailea Marriott) are good South Maui options.

For the most reasonably priced Luau  $100-$200 - though without a view or served meal, we love the Luau at South Maui Gardens (amazaing food trucks and the Lahaina Birds! too). Unfortunately that show was recently cancelled. For those of you wishing to experience a similar hula performance nearby, we recommend Gilligan’s Island Luau (at the Maui Nui golf club) which offers an excellent show by the same hālau, Manutea Nui E that performed at South Maui Gardens, and is comparable in both location and price from $109 for children & $159 for adults - but this one has a view and dinner.

What is the best place to buy luau tickets?

The cost is anywhere from $150-$430/adult. Children usually get in at a reduced rate. Tips are extra (expected and appreciated). You can book tickets directly from the luau organizers (online or at the resorts). Remember, most luaus do not run daily, you will want to pre-book tickets to avoid disappointment.

If you are considering the Grand Luau (Grand Wailea), buy your discounted tickets at Costco and then phone the resort to reserve your seats.

Where you sit at a luau is important. The right seats can insure a much better experience. For that reason we recommend using our concierges. They know all the luaus intimately and in talking with you about your expectations can recommend the best for what you want. You’ll be able to see and hear the show, sit on the ground traditional style at low tables or standard tables for just you or with a group. They earn a small commission for doing this but the cost you pay is no more than you would pay directly to the event – you’ll be much happier.

There are also time share stands that will sell you heavily discounted tickets (in return for attending one of their time share presentations). This is one way to save money however ask yourself: are you willing to give up several hours of your vacation in a time share presentation and do you have the willpower to say ‘no’ to their sales pitch?

What to wear to a luau?

Dress code is Hawaiian casual: a nice Aloha shirt with shorts/khakis, an Aloha dress for the ladies. Most luaus have lei available for purchase. Also most have a professional photographer present – a great opportunity for a family picture!

Where to park?

Double check this when you make your reservations. At the Grand Wailea for instance, valet parking is included in the price of the tickets. However, you will want some change to tip the valet.

What is the best Maui fruit?

The best fruit on Maui is widely considered to be the Maui Gold pineapple,

Celebrated for its exceptional sweetness and flavor that surpass many other pineapples worldwide, Maui Gold pineapples are renowned for their golden yellow skin and exceptionally sweet and juicy flesh. They are available year-round and stand out from typical pineapples due to their consistently high quality and sweetness. Maui Gold is often highlighted as a premier fruit on the island, enjoyed fresh or in various local delicacies. 

Alongside this, Maui is known for a vibrant array of tropical fruits including papayas, mangoes, and apple bananas, each offering unique tastes emblematic of the island’s fertile soil and ideal growing climate. 

Top Five “Other” Fruits on Maui

• Yee’s Mangos in Kihei:  Okay, so these are even more than those golden apples at Safeway – I believe last time I asked, they were around $3/lb, maybe more. But, I promise you, these mangos are better than any you will find in a grocery store. I call them my breakfast candy! Yee’s orchard is in Central Kihei along South Kihei Road – next to Long’s Plaza, across the street from the Arts & Crafts Fair (by McDonalds). It’s ‘just a shack’ and sometimes you will see a peacock strolling along. (1165 S. Kihei Road, Kihei, HI, United States, 96753) 

• Apple Bananas :  Find these at any farmer’s market. Apple bananas are about half the size of regular bananas. They are firmer, and even if the peel turns color, they are usually still firm. They have a bit of a tangy after taste (reminiscent a little of apple). Try them! There are different varieties so ask for assistance. Some are better for eating, others for cooking. 

• Lilikoi: Also known as passion fruit. These are a strange leathery fruit that grow on a vine. The color (when ripe) can be yellow, pink or purple. If they look perfect, they are still sour. If they are starting to shrivel or look a little worse for wear, they are sweeter (though still tart). You cut them in half and scoop out the seeds and juice with a spoon. Yes, the seeds are edible. 

• Papaya : Truth be told, I am not that big a fan – these are an acquired taste. However, if you can find a strawberry papaya, buy it! It can be hard to tell by the outside, but the flesh is more of an orange-red color and they are sweeter than the usual kind you can buy. They will be smaller. How to eat them – first cut off the end (by the stem), then slice lengthwise and scoop out all the papaya seeds. Please do not run the seeds through the garburator – it will plug it up. 

Local hint, perk up your papaya by scooping lilikoi seeds/juice into the papaya’s cavity, it gives the papaya extra zest. You can also squeeze some lime juice over the papaya. Another friend sprinkles cinnamon over her papaya and fills it with blueberries. 

• POG :  Not available at the farmer’s market, instead you can find it at the grocery store, Longs or Costco. POG stands for Passion Orange Guava juice, usually made from concentrate. It was originally created by the old Haleakala Dairy on Maui (no longer in existence) and is now produced by Meadow Gold Dairy. Drink it straight, or mix it with vodka or rum. A favorite of mine is to make mimosas with POG and champagne! 

Where to Buy

Maui’s farmers markets and farm stands are the best places to find the freshest and highest quality fruit on Maui. Notable places include the Maui Tropical Plantation, Upcountry Farmers Market, and fruit stands like Yee’s Orchard in Kihei. These venues often offer fruit picked at peak ripeness with more authentic flavors than supermarket imports

In sum, while there are many delicious fruits native and cultivated on Maui, the Maui Gold pineapple remains the flagship fruit prized for its sweetness and quality, making it the best fruit on Maui in many local and visitor opinions.

Wailea Restaurant Review: Manoli’s Pizza Company

Don’t let the Greek name fool you, thin crust pizza is the house specialty at Manoli’s. In fact, other than a salad – that is all you will find at Manoli’s. This has been a little mis-leading for some recent guests I’ve spoken to about their first experience. Friends of ours went expecting to enjoy a pasta dish (something Matteo’s was very good at) and were disappointed they could only have pizza. (Edit – pasta, burgers, and a great happy hour are now on the menu (2020)

The food here has been given mixed reviews and could very well be chalked up to their beginning, however since Aaron Placourakis, the owner of Manoli’s, has connections to Nick’s Fish Market you would expect the food to be on par from the beginning. Prices are typical to Maui; a small cheese pizza (12″) starts at $14 and their large (16″) Meat Pizza is $26. The two salads they offer are $8 and $9 respectively and seem a little lacking in size for these prices. On the flip side, their $8.00 Cosmos are tasty and certainly a “value” compared to other locations in Wailea.

One aspect that has not changed from the days of Matteo’s is the view. You can still look out toward Molokini and the Pacific Ocean to remind you that you are on Maui (or perhaps Crete as the namesake was born there). A big change from Matteo’s is the sitting policy, unlike the previous establishment at Manoli’s you are greeted by a server and taken to your specific table where you order and enjoy your meal. Manoli’s is open daily from 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM. As always, we welcome comments about our posts and always welcome ideas for new topics.

Best Poke on Maui

Top 5 best Poke on Maui

Are you a poke lover? Or are you not quite sure why I am talking about poking?

Poke (poke-ay) means “to slice or cut crosswise into pieces”. It consists of small chunks of raw marinated fish, very popular here in Hawaii. It typically is served as part of a ‘poke bowl’, sticky rice on the bottom with a few different types of marinated poke and seaweed salad on top.

What kind of fish? Most often it’s made with sashimi grade ahi (tuna), however you can also find shrimp, tako (octopus) or even non-fish varieties. Without a doubt, but favorite is the ahi poke.

I have heard poke is gaining in popularity along the West Coast, maybe you can get it where you live on the Mainland. Generally you either love it or hate it – kind of like with sushi and sashimi. Yes, many restaurants serve poke, but in case you are wondering…

Where do the locals get their poke on Maui?

All the locals I have asked say: Foodland. Seriously? Yes, while all the grocery stores (including Costco) have a poke bar (it’s just that wonderful), Foodland’s poke bar is the best. With 20+ varieties to choose from, don’t be shy to ask for a sample, you can get it with rice, or ask for a few small sample size containers to try different varieties. The price averages at $12/lb. In case you’re wondering, ‘shoyu’ is a local-style soy sauce.

Eskimo Candy is another local favorite, located in Kihei’s industrial part of town (across from Napa Auto Parts and Lokelani Intermediate School). They usually have four different types of poke. A poke bowl is around $13 and is quite filling. This is a small take-out place with limited indoor and outdoor seating, so get it to go. (closed in 2020)

Tamura’s Fine Wine and Liquor. What, what? Why would you buy your poke at a liquor specialty store? Not sure, but this is a chain store from Oahu with three locations on Maui: Tamura’s on Dairy Road in Kahului, a new store in Kihei on Lipoa (close to Fabiani’s) and one in Lahaina on Kupuohi Street.

Another favorite is the ‘Like Poke?’ food truck. There is a gravel parking lot with various food trucks across from the main Costco parking lot entrance. Just in case you don’t want your $1.50 Costco hotdog. Who knew, right?

Takamiya Market in Wailuku. This is the only one I have not been to myself. Though when talking to others about poke, this always comes out during the conversation. Takamiya is a ‘very local style place’, you will not find many tourists. One of their specialties is that they make poke to order.

As always when eating raw fish, it is best to eat it right away and not to let it sit (especially in a hot car). You definitely don’t want to get sick on vacation.

Any other ideas for a “Top 5” list? Let us know in the comments!