- Maui's commercial luaus cluster in Kāʻanapali (West Maui) and the Wailea resort area.
- From Kīhei, a Kāʻanapali show is roughly 45 minutes to an hour each way, traffic depending.
- Huakaʻi Lūʻau is in Kāʻanapali, not Kīhei — worth saying plainly.
- The trade-off is a drive against an included open bar, free parking and a 7:30 PM finish.
- Nominate a driver before you go. The return is dark highway after an open bar.
- Many Maui luaus run weekly, not nightly — check dates before you commit to a side of the island.
Quick Answer
Maui's commercial luaus are concentrated in Kāʻanapali on the west coast and around Wailea in South Maui. If you are staying in Kīhei, a Kāʻanapali luau is typically a 45-minute to one-hour drive each way depending on traffic along the Honoapiʻilani Highway. Huakaʻi Lūʻau is in Kāʻanapali, performs weekly on Tuesdays, and finishes its main show at 7:30 PM — early enough to make the return drive comfortable if you nominate a driver.
The honest geography
There is no getting around this: Huakaʻi Lūʻau is on Kāʻanapali Beach, at Hilton Grand Vacations Kāʻanapali Beach Club. If you are staying in Kīhei, that is a real drive — commonly 45 minutes to an hour each way, and longer if you hit the afternoon backup on the Honoapiʻilani Highway.
We would rather tell you that up front than have you discover it in the car. Whether it is worth it depends on three things.
The three things that decide it
1. What is included once you arrive
An open bar and free parking included is worth roughly $80–$130 per couple against a venue that charges for both. For some visitors that offsets the drive outright — for others it does not.
| Ticket | Adult (13+) | Child (6–12) | Infant (0–5) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Admission | $180 + tax | $72 + tax | Free |
| VIP | $210 + tax | $84 + tax | Free |
2. What time it finishes
The main show ends at 7:30 PM, with the meet-and-greet done by 7:45 PM. That is genuinely early for a luau, and it means the drive back to South Maui happens at a reasonable hour rather than close to midnight.
3. Which night it runs
Tuesdays. If your Tuesday is already committed to something else, that settles it — and it is far better to find out now than after you have built an evening around it.
Nominate a driver. The bar is included, the return leg is an unlit highway, and the two facts belong in the same sentence. Plan the driver before you book, not in the car park.
Planning the drive
| Detail | What to plan for |
|---|---|
| Drive time from Kīhei | Roughly 45–60 minutes each way, traffic depending |
| Leave by (Apr–Sep) | Around 4:30 PM for 5:30 PM doors |
| Leave by (Oct–Mar) | Around 4:00 PM for 5:00 PM doors |
| Parking | Free and included at the venue |
| Main show ends | 7:30 PM |
| Back in Kīhei | Typically around 8:45–9:00 PM |
Drive times are guidance rather than guarantees — check live traffic on the day, particularly on the stretch between Māʻalaea and Lāhainā.
Making a day of the west side
If you are committing to the drive, the efficient move is to go early and spend the afternoon there. Our Kāʻanapali Beach guide covers snorkelling at Black Rock, the beach walk and where to park, so the luau becomes the end of a west-side day rather than a round trip for one evening.
Deciding
If the drive is a dealbreaker, that is a legitimate answer and our choosing checklist will help you evaluate closer options on their merits. If it is not, the ticket guide covers what each tier includes and the venue page has directions and parking.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a luau in Kīhei?
Maui's commercial luaus are concentrated in Kāʻanapali on the west coast and around the Wailea resort area in South Maui rather than in Kīhei town itself. Because operators and schedules change, check current listings for South Maui options and confirm directly with each venue. Huakaʻi Lūʻau is located in Kāʻanapali, roughly 45 minutes to an hour from Kīhei depending on traffic.
How far is Kāʻanapali from Kīhei?
Typically 45 minutes to an hour by car each way, along the Honoapiʻilani Highway, though traffic between Māʻalaea and Lāhainā can extend that. For a 5:30 PM door time from April through September, plan to leave Kīhei by around 4:30 PM.
Is it worth driving from Kīhei to a Kāʻanapali luau?
It depends on what is included and how late the show runs. Huakaʻi Lūʻau includes an open bar and free parking — worth roughly $80 to $130 per couple against a venue charging for both — and its main show ends at 7:30 PM, so the return drive happens at a reasonable hour. Nominate a driver in advance, since the bar is included and the return leg is unlit highway.
What day of the week is Huakaʻi Lūʻau?
Huakaʻi Lūʻau performs weekly on Tuesdays at the Luau Lawn at Hilton Grand Vacations Kāʻanapali Beach Club. Because it is a weekly rather than nightly show, a one-week stay on Maui usually overlaps with only one or two performance dates, so it is worth checking the calendar against your travel dates as early as possible.
What time does the Huakaʻi Lūʻau show start?
From April through September, doors open at 5:30 PM, the buffet opens at 5:50 PM, the main show begins at 6:30 PM and it ends at 7:30 PM with the fireknife finale. From October through March every time shifts 30 minutes earlier, so doors open at 5:00 PM. The show runs on Tuesdays.
Is a Maui luau worth it for families with kids?
Yes, for most families. Huakaʻi Lūʻau runs a dedicated kids' buffet alongside the main line, prices children 6 to 12 at 40 percent of the adult ticket, admits infants 0 to 5 free, and ends the main show by 7:30 PM so younger children are not out too late. The cast also stays for a meet-and-greet from 7:30 to 7:45 PM.
Planning the Drive? Call Us
Huakaʻi Lūʻau · The Luau Lawn at Hilton Grand Vacations Kāʻanapali Beach Club
104 Kāʻanapali Shores Place · Lāhainā, HI 96761
Performing weekly on Tuesdays
Pricing, showtimes and menu items are current as of August 2026 and are subject to change; taxes are additional at checkout and menu offerings may vary with seasonal availability and operational requirements. Price ranges quoted for other Maui luaus are general market guidance rather than quotes — confirm current pricing directly with each operator. Seating within each ticket tier is first-come, first-served.