Lu’au Kalamaku
No first trip to Hawaii is complete without a lu’au. A lu’au is a feast that is often held to celebrate a significant life event. The lu’au traditionally involved the serving of specific dishes, often massive quantities of food, and was accompanied by music and hula. Until the 19th century, there were strict hierarchical elements incorporated into the traditions, which involved men and women eating separately and certain foods being consumed only by the royal class. Over time, the lu’au has evolved into a tourist attraction and a way for visitors to get a glimpse of some of the traditions of Hawaiin culture. I have to admit, there is always something that feels a little wrong about being a white person being entertained by someone else's culture, but I’m not going to get into that here. I’ll just leave it at, lu’aus are fun and you might learn something about the story of the people here. The lu’au has become a plentiful attraction across the Hawaiin islands and choosing one is not easy.
Why I chose the Kalamaku Lu’au.
They offered transportation via a first class bus to and from the lu’au. This meant we could take advantage of the open bar and not worry about parking, etc. (lu’au ticket price: $56 for children; $98 for Teens; $146 for adults)
The reviews unanimously talked up the quality of the show.
This one worked best with our schedule, which was limited due to a short stay in Kauai.
What we liked about Lu’au Kalamaku:
The performers and dancers were top notch. They really seemed to be giving it their all out there. Nothing ruins a show faster than apathy and the performers in this show really seemed to care.
The fire dancing was incredible. This guy has skills, ya’ll. It was worth it for the fire dancing alone.
The costumes and production quality were on point.
The performance told the story of the Polynesian people coming to Hawaii and I’m always looking for fun and entertaining ways to teach my kids about history and other cultures.
There is a craft market that you can browse before the show starts. This was originally a turn off for me, but turned out to be tasteful and filled with legitimate local art.
There was efficient and comfortable transportation.
What we didn’t like about Lu’au Kalamaku:
The food was buffet style. If you know me, you know I hate buffet style food. First of all, it’s just gross, especially during COVID. Second of all, the food is never fresh. Third of all, I don’t want to make my own plate at a restaurant. There are too many choices to make and I always end up being dissatisfied.
The food was mediocre. It wasn’t bad, but wasn’t the epic feast that one would expect from a lu’au, which was traditionally mostly about the food.
The service was weird. They were really rushing the courses, a result of trying to serve too many people with too little resources.
The booze was bottom-shelf.
Conclusion:
Overall, I would recommend this lu’au because of the excellent show quality and performers. The fire dancing, costumes, and story were captivating. If you are looking for a more upscale dining experience and not as interested in the show, however, you might try one of the other options on the island.
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Enjoy our short video of the Lu’au.