Luaus in Waikiki

You do not need to leave Waikiki for a luau. Several luaus run in the middle of the resort strip, one sits at Aloha Tower ten minutes away, and there is even a free hula show on the beach. You give up some scenery and space; you save the shuttle, the traffic and an hour or two of your evening.

The Waikiki luaus

Queens Waikiki Luau (★ 4.1): at the International Market Place on Kalakaua Avenue, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 5:00 to 7:30 PM, with a shell lei, buffet and fire knife dancing. The cheapest official adult ticket in Waikiki at $109 in the back section; $129 and $139 closer to the stage. Pa'ina Waikiki Luau (★ 4.4): on the Waikiki Beach Marriott rooftop, with a mai tai for everyone, a luau and prime rib buffet, and a show-only ticket if you have already eaten. Na Lei Aloha (★ 4.6): a smaller luau at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki with an optional buffet. Waikiki Luau and Rock-A-Hula (★ 4.4): a luau buffet at the Royal Hawaiian Center, with packages that add Waikiki's big stage show, from about $101.

Just outside: Ka Moana at Aloha Tower

Ka Moana Luau (★ 4.1, 1,544 reviews) runs Sunday to Friday at Aloha Tower on Honolulu harbor, 10 to 15 minutes from Waikiki, from $129 official with a $30 shuttle option. Guests praise the performers; reviews of the food are more mixed. Compare it with the east-side option in our Ka Moana vs Aloha Kai guide.

The free option: Kuhio Beach Hula Show

There is no free luau, but there is free hula. The Kuhio Beach Hula Show runs on Saturdays from 6:30 to 7:30 PM at the hula mound near the Duke Kahanamoku statue, weather permitting; the Tuesday shows ended after June 2026. Sit on the grass or bring a mat. It is a lovely hour, but it is a hula show, not a luau: no feast, no fire knife dance. For the full luau experience with the best ratings, the out-of-town luaus on our homepage are worth the drive.