What Actually Happens at a Hawaiian Luau, Hour by Hour

Hawaiian Activities — island tours, luaus, and adventures across Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island.

Most people book a luau without knowing what one is. The answer is not a dinner with a show attached: it is a fixed sequence of events that starts earlier than you expect, with an underground oven at the centre of it. Here is the running order, drawn from the luaus we actually sell across four islands.

The running order, using a real timetable

Luaus vary less than you would think. This is the published schedule for the Mauna Kea Luau on the Big Island, and most others follow the same shape an hour either side.

The practical consequence is that arriving at the stated start time means missing the first act. At luaus with unassigned seating, such as the Aloha Wailea Luau, arriving early also decides how close you sit.

The imu: the part that is genuinely ancient

An imu is an underground oven. A pit is lined with volcanic stones, a fire heats them for hours, and a whole pig wrapped in ti or banana leaves is buried with them to steam through the afternoon. The imu ceremony is the moment it is dug out, usually with a conch shell call and a short explanation.

That pork becomes kalua pig, the dish at the centre of the buffet. When a listing says the luau includes an imu ceremony, it means you will see this rather than be told about it. It is the one part of the evening that has not changed in centuries, and it is the part most guests photograph.

What is on the table

Most luaus serve a buffet. The recurring dishes across the ones we sell are kalua pig, lomi lomi salmon (salted salmon with tomato and onion), poi (pounded taro root), chicken long rice, ahi poke, teriyaki or huli huli chicken, a grilled local catch, rice and taro rolls, with tropical fruit and dessert.

Two variations are worth knowing. A few luaus plate the meal instead — the Feast at Mokapu on Maui serves multi-course plating rather than a line. And some include an open bar for the full evening, which materially changes the value: the Aloha Wailea Luau includes it at $159.99, well under the plated alternatives, and on the Big Island the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Sunset Luau includes a full open bar with its buffet.

If anyone in your group has dietary requirements, check the listing: the Huakaʻi Luau on Maui lists gluten-free options on its buffet. Ask when booking rather than on the night.

The show, and what you are watching

The performance usually moves through three registers. Hula kahiko is the ancient form, chanted and percussive, telling stories of place and genealogy. Hula ’auana is the modern form, with guitar and ukulele, which is what most visitors picture. Tahitian dance supplies the speed, with drums and fast hip movement.

The fire-knife dance that closes almost every luau is Samoan in origin — the ailao afi — not Hawaiian. It has become the standard finale across Polynesian shows in Hawaii. Knowing that does not spoil it; it just means you are watching a Pacific revue rather than a purely Hawaiian one.

Many luaus pull children on stage for a hula lesson during the show, so expect that if you are travelling as a family.

Practical questions people ask late

What to wear: resort casual. An aloha shirt or a sundress is right; shorts and sandals are fine. Bring a light layer, because it is outdoors and the wind picks up after sunset.

Seating: usually long communal tables of six to eight. VIP tiers buy proximity to the stage and earlier access to the buffet, not a different show.

Cancellations: windows run from 24 hours (most Maui and Big Island luaus) to 72 hours (Queen’s Waikiki Luau on Oahu). No-shows are charged in full at every luau we sell.

Children: nearly all luaus have a child rate, and some let toddlers in free — at Aloha Wailea, five and under, and at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Sunset Luau, under 5.

Which luau to choose

Pick by island and by where you are sleeping, then by format. Our island guides compare every show we sell on price, seating and setting: Maui, Oahu, Kauai and the Big Island. If you want a single ranked list, best luau in Hawaii puts them side by side.

Book earlier than feels necessary. Luaus run on fixed nights, and the good tables go first — how far ahead to book Hawaii activities covers the timings.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a luau last?

Two to three and a half hours. Doors typically open between 4:45pm and 5:30pm, dinner starts around 6:10pm, and the show finishes about 8:00pm.

What is the imu ceremony at a luau?

The unearthing of an underground oven. A pig wrapped in leaves is steamed for hours over hot volcanic stones, then lifted out in front of guests. That pork is served as kalua pig at the buffet.

What should I wear to a luau in Hawaii?

Resort casual: an aloha shirt, a sundress, shorts and sandals are all fine. Bring a light layer, because luaus are held outdoors and get breezy after sunset.

Is food included in a luau ticket?

Yes. Almost every luau includes a buffet or plated dinner, and many include a welcome drink. Some, such as the Aloha Wailea Luau on Maui, include an open bar for the whole evening. Show-only tickets, where offered, exclude the meal.

Is fire dancing Hawaiian?

The fire-knife dance is Samoan in origin, not Hawaiian, but it has become the standard closing act at Polynesian shows across Hawaii. The hula sections are the Hawaiian part of the programme.

Are luaus suitable for children?

Yes. Nearly all have child pricing, many include a keiki drink, and most invite children on stage for a hula lesson during the show. Some let toddlers attend free.

Prices checked against operator listings, September 2026. Availability and rates are set by the operator and can change.