Episode Details

Ranking the Best Maui Luaus (Plus Updates, Closures, and Alternatives)

The host ranks Maui luaus based on four firsthand visits: Feast at Mokapu at the Andaz Maui in Wailea as the top luxury splurge with oceanfront setting and family-style service; Old Lahaina Luau second for a culturally focused Hawaiian/Tahitian show and updated post-2023 wildfire format (now four-course family-style with open bar); Drums of the Pacific at the Hyatt Regency Maui third for a large, multi-Polynesian spectacle with fire knife dancing and resort convenience in Ka’anapali; and Myths of Maui at Royal Lahaina fourth as a more budget-friendly buffet with fire knife dancing. They also describe other options they haven’t attended (Grand Wailea, Te Au Moana, Maui Nui at Black Rock, Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, Gilligan’s Island) and Maui Ocean Center’s Friday-only “Migrations” dinner show. Updates include Feast at Lele permanently closed and South Maui Gardens’ Polynesian show paused/closed, with backups like Gilligan’s Island and the Napili Kai Foundation keiki hula show.

00:00 Maui Luau Ranking Setup
01:11 Feast at Mokapu Top Pick
02:14 Old Lahaina Luau Updates
03:37 Drums of the Pacific Spectacle
04:59 Myths of Maui Budget Choice
05:45 Other Maui Luaus Rundown
07:14 Avoiding Luau Mismatches
08:02 Migrations Dinner Show Option
08:35 Closures and Key Updates
09:58 Final Recommendations and Resources

Who this episode is for: Anyone booking a luau on Maui who wants an honest ranking plus the latest closures and format changes.

What you'll learn: Marcie's ranking of four Maui luaus she's personally attended, other options she hasn't reviewed, and current closures/updates including post-wildfire changes at Old Lahaina Luau.

Places discussed:

• Wailea
• Lahaina
• Ka'anapali
• Black Rock

Activities discussed:

• Attending a luau (family-style dining, open bar, fire knife dancing, multi-Polynesian performances)
• Migrations dinner show at Maui Ocean Center (Fridays only)
• Napili Kai Foundation keiki hula show

Hotels discussed:

• Andaz Maui (Wailea) — home of Feast at Mokapu, top pick
• Hyatt Regency Maui (Ka'anapali) — home of Drums of the Pacific, third pick
• Royal Lahaina — home of Myths of Maui, fourth pick, budget-friendly
• Grand Wailea — home of Te Au Moana, not yet reviewed
• Ritz-Carlton Kapalua — home of Maui Nui at Black Rock, not yet reviewed

Marcie's recommendations:

• #1: Feast at Mokapu at Andaz Maui — top luxury splurge, oceanfront setting, family-style service
• #2: Old Lahaina Luau — culturally focused Hawaiian/Tahitian show, updated post-2023 wildfire to a four-course family-style format with open bar
• #3: Drums of the Pacific at Hyatt Regency Maui — large multi-Polynesian spectacle with fire knife dancing, convenient if staying in Ka'anapali
• #4: Myths of Maui at Royal Lahaina — more budget-friendly buffet option with fire knife dancing
• Feast at Lele has permanently closed
• South Maui Gardens' Polynesian show is paused/closed; consider Gilligan's Island or the Napili Kai Foundation keiki hula show as alternatives

Related Hawaii Travel Made Easy episodes: 

• Hawaii Travel Guide: Are Luaus Worth It? Everything You Need to Know— Ep 6
• Luau vs Cultural Experience: Which Hawaii Cultural Activity Is Worth It?— Ep 42
• Every Oahu Luau I've Been To (Ranked Honestly)— Ep 95
• Every Big Island Luau I've Been To (And Everything Else Worth Knowing), Ranked