At Hilton Grand Vacations Kāʻanapali Beach Club
104 Kāʻanapali Shores Place · Lāhainā, HI 96761
Three oceanfront luaus. One Kāʻanapali coastline. We rank and compare them on price, show, menu, location and open bar — so you book the right night beneath the stars.
All three are oceanfront Kāʻanapali luaus, all three include an open bar and an island buffet, and all three end with a Samoan fireknife finale. Here's how to choose fast:
Bottom line: want the newest production at the best starting price? Book Huakaʻi Lūʻau →
For travelers staying in or near Kāʻanapali, the three most popular luaus are Huakaʻi Lūʻau — Journey Through Polynesia, Royal Lahaina's Myths of Maui Magic, and the Hyatt Regency Maui's Drums of the Pacific. They share a lot — oceanfront settings, open bars, island buffets, and fireknife finales — so the deciding factors come down to the style of show, the price, and the little extras like parking and family pricing.
Huakaʻi Lūʻau is the newest and most cinematic, with a live band and a six-island revue. Myths of Maui Magic leans into Hawaiian mythology and legend. Drums of the Pacific is the longest-running of the trio, a Tihati-produced Hyatt institution. The chart and listicles below break it all down.
Maui's newest luau, on the oceanfront Luau Lawn at the Hilton Grand Vacations Kāʻanapali Beach Club. A cinematic, live-band journey through six Polynesian cultures — Hawaiian Hula ʻAuana, Tahitian Ori, Samoan Slap Dance, Fijian Meke, Māori Poi — closing with a Samoan fireknife grand finale. Full island buffet with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options, an included open bar, free parking, and an indoor ballroom backup for weather.
A long-running Kāʻanapali Beach luau at the Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows, themed around Hawaiian mythology and the heroic feats of the demigod Māui, told through drums, chant and hula and capped by a fireknife performance. Buffet centered on imu-roasted Kiawe pua'a (pork) plus huli huli chicken, fresh catch and island sides, with an open bar. Now performing seven nights a week.
The longest-running of the three — close to 40 years on Kāʻanapali Beach at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa, produced by Tihati Productions. Opens with a traditional imu (underground oven) ceremony and conch-and-drums welcome, builds through Polynesian chants and dances, and ends with a daring three-man Samoan fireknife climax. Island buffet and open bar included.
| Feature | 🥇 Huakaʻi Lūʻau | 🥈 Myths of Maui Magic | 🥉 Drums of the Pacific |
|---|---|---|---|
| Venue | Hilton Grand Vacations Kāʻanapali Beach Club | Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows | Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa |
| Setting | Oceanfront lawn + indoor backup | Oceanfront beachside grounds | Oceanfront resort grounds |
| Show Theme | Six-culture Polynesian journey, live band | Legends of the demigod Māui | Polynesian chants & dances; imu opener |
| Fireknife Finale | Yes — Samoan afi | Yes | Yes — three-man |
| Open Bar | Included | Included | Included |
| Buffet | Kalua pork, mahi mahi, shoyu chicken; vegan/veg/GF + kids buffet | Imu pork, huli huli chicken, fresh catch, poi, sides | Island buffet with imu-roasted pork & Polynesian dishes |
| Adult — Standard | From $180 | From ~$196 | From ~$202 |
| Adult — VIP | From $210 | From ~$235 | From ~$250 |
| Child Price | From $72 (6–12); infants free | From ~$122 (6–12) | From ~$101 (6–12) |
| Parking | Free | Resort parking | Resort parking |
| Live Band | Yes | Live music & drums | Live music & drums |
| Best For | Newest show + best value & family pricing | Mythology-driven storytelling | Decades-long Hyatt classic |
A quick look at starting prices per person, before taxes and fees. Huakaʻi Lūʻau offers the lowest entry point in every category.
| Luau | Adult (GA) | Adult (VIP) | Child 6–12 | Infant 0–5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huakaʻi Lūʻau | $180 | $210 | $72 | Free |
| Myths of Maui Magic | ~$196 | ~$235 | ~$122 | Free |
| Drums of the Pacific | ~$202 | ~$250 | ~$101 | Varies |
Huakaʻi Lūʻau earns the number-one spot for three reasons. First, it's Maui's newest luau, designed from the ground up as a cinematic, oceanfront experience with a live band rather than recorded tracks. Second, the show is a genuine journey through six Polynesian cultures — from Hawaiian hula ʻauana through Tahitian ori, Samoan slap dance, Fijian meke and Māori poi before the fireknife grand finale. Third, it offers the lowest starting adult price of the three at $180, with notably family-friendly pricing — children 6–12 from $72 and infants free.
Add the included open bar, free parking, an ADA-compliant venue, full vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free buffet options, and an indoor ballroom backup for the rare rainy evening, and Huakaʻi delivers the most complete value among Kāʻanapali's top luaus. Myths of Maui Magic and Drums of the Pacific are both excellent, well-loved shows — but for the newest production at the best starting price, Huakaʻi is our pick.
Huakaʻi Lūʻau ranks as a top oceanfront luau in Kāʻanapali, Maui. It pairs a cinematic, live-band Polynesian revue and a Samoan fireknife finale with a full island buffet and an included open bar on the Luau Lawn at the Hilton Grand Vacations Kāʻanapali Beach Club. Other leading Kāʻanapali options include Royal Lahaina's Myths of Maui Magic and the Hyatt Regency Maui's Drums of the Pacific.
Most Maui luaus range from roughly $170 to $260 per adult before taxes and fees. Huakaʻi Lūʻau starts at $180 for General Admission and $210 for VIP. Royal Lahaina's Myths of Maui Magic typically starts near $196 standard and around $235 VIP. The Hyatt Regency's Drums of the Pacific typically runs about $202 standard and around $250 VIP. Prices vary by season — always confirm current rates at each booking page.
Huakaʻi Lūʻau, Myths of Maui Magic, and Drums of the Pacific all include an open bar with admission. Huakaʻi Lūʻau includes a limited full open bar with both General Admission and VIP tickets at no extra charge.
Yes. All three luaus feature a Samoan fireknife (afi) performance as the grand finale. Huakaʻi Lūʻau closes its live-band Polynesian revue with a fireknife finale, while Myths of Maui Magic and Drums of the Pacific each end with their own fireknife performances.
Huakaʻi Lūʻau is held on the oceanfront Luau Lawn at the Hilton Grand Vacations Kāʻanapali Beach Club, 104 Kāʻanapali Shores Place, Lāhainā, HI 96761, on Maui. Parking is free and the venue is ADA compliant, with an indoor ballroom backup in inclement weather.
Yes. Huakaʻi Lūʻau welcomes all ages, offers a dedicated kids buffet (teriyaki chicken tenders, kalua pig sliders, mac & cheese, fruit), and prices children 6–12 from $72 with infants 0–5 free — among the most family-friendly pricing of the top Kāʻanapali luaus.
Maui luaus sell out quickly year-round — often weeks in advance. Secure your seats on the oceanfront Luau Lawn today.
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