Mauna Kea Luau

My wife and I had high hopes for our first official Hawaiian Luau, however we were a bit disappointed.
Everything started off well, with friendly greeters with shell necklace leis, but the line to get in was so slow moving we missed the entire Imu ceremony even though we arrived early. The atmosphere/​location was probably the most impressive part, a tree covered ocean-​view cliff side at sunset. The food was just ok. I’ve personally had better Kailau pork (really dry) at a pig roast we did back in Nebraska. The mahi was also dry and the teryaki beef was a bit overdone… but what do you really expect from a buffet.
The show itself was pretty decent although a bit short in my opinion. Chief fire stick twirler was probably the most impressive. You can tell they have put alot of time and thought into the development of the show.
The worse part of the entire experience is probably the waitstaff. Our server brought us our complementary mai tai, fruit punch (my wife was pregnant), and water, and that was the last we saw of her until it was time for us to sign the check. While other table’s servers came back to clear the table after dinner and ask if they wanted coffee, beers, or other beverages, our server did none of this. The worse part was the automatic 15% gratuity. I’ve waited tables in my past and I understand the importance of tips to the wages of servers but I still believe you have to earn it. Not even stopping by to refill our waters or to clear empty dinner plates just shows pure laziness and definitely not worthy of 15%…roughly a $ 30 tip given the cost of the overall dinner/​show cost.

Overpriced … decent show … 3 ½ stars … atrocious food … 1 star …
Setting of the lu’au was the Mauna Kea Resort, older but regal looking, well kept hotel on northwest part of the Big Island. Sunset backdrop of the dinner and show was so beautiful that it had many people taking pictures of the scenic vista even during the show. The narrative of the show was more about Polynesia in general, rather than Hawaii but I didn’t have a problem with that.
What bothered me the most was the atrocious cafeteria quality food for so much money. Everything was bland and thoroughly below average. Main salad was nothing but tub of lettuce, I mean just lettuce and nothing else. Pulled pork and turkey, the main meat dish was flavorless and dry. Mystery meat wrapped in leaves was fatty and of low quality. The traditional whole pig roast was nowhere to be found. Cocktail shrimp bar section of the buffet was main seafood offering. There were smattering of other seafood items of little consequences. Even worse, they automatically tacked on 15% gratuity for self-​serve buffet, making it $ 127 per person. I would have gladly paid for just the show if that was an option.
The show was kid-​friendly and the whole performance was pretty good if not bit touristy. I believe the hotel guests get a discount and might be worth doing if staying on the property. Otherwise, I cannot recommend this lu’au.

Sorry I really wanted to like my first Luau but it just was not that great. A big line to get in and we didn’t get to see the pig being taken out. Then once inside we are sat kind of like cruise liner style right next to people you don’t know in long tables. The food was nothing special. Flies hovered around all the stations. The show was pretty interesting but all in all dinner for 2 was not worth the 250 $ price tag.

First if all, they advertised an imu. We made sure to get there in time, but the line was so long-​at least 39 minutes in line– that we were finally ushered to our seats. No imu. Very disorganized. Then we went straight to an ordinary buffet-​no roasted pig. Quantity trumped quality. The music and entertainment was fair at first. I got more Hawaiian cultural information from ranger George at the NHS than from the beginning entertainment. The cultural performers were good at first but then the show was not about Hawai’i, more about other Polynesian islands. No photos. PS: coming home to our sister hotel was another LONG wait in line. So lots of lines, middling food though lots of it, overall just fair entertainment. Over priced, even for Hawai’i!

Great food, show, and service! Make sure you get to the luau early (515). We checked in first and got to sit front center stage. Also there is a coupon in «This Week». You can get this at the front desk or anywhere. We got ours at the airport.

I really don’t care to pay $ 250 for two for a show that lasted about and hour or so and food that was completely mediocre. we should have just spent that money on another night in Hawaii.
You are seated with everyone in a very small space so that means you knock elbows with the person next to you. You get to take a picture before the show but it costs $ 30 to keep it.
I really sincerely feel that a luau is for the suckers and tourists who are pushed to do it so you learn the history of Hawaiian culture. I can read $ 10 book and save myself the trouble. Everything just felt so gimmicky I want to forget that I went here!
One last thing is that you get a «complimentary Mai tai», I’m sorry how is that complimentary ?? i just paid $ 250 for the show ! I am furious !!

I was very skeptical as I’m not a fan of touristy events nor buffets. I attended with my hubs, my boys age 7 & 8 and friends with their kids 5&7. We all had a memorable experience.
Upon arrival we found ourselves in a long line waiting to take a photo upon entering. This was the worst part of the experience and honestly even though I hate standing in line, it wasn’t that bad. We arrived at 5:45, so I would get there earlier like 5:15 to avoid the line. So we never saw the Imu ceremony. We were leied with shell necklaces which was a nice souvenir.
Food at buffet was actually good. I had ahi poke, chilled shrimp, Kailua pork (really moist), Hawaiian sweet bread, grilled Mahi (this was the only item I felt was dry). My boys loved the poke and teriyaki steak. The line at the buffet wasn’t long since you are able to help yourself right after you’re seated. This maybe why they hold the line at the beginning to take the photo to sort of meter people entering. The waiter did a great job of checking on us and filling our water cups.
The atmosphere and the show though is where we were really impressed. It’s an intimate tree-​covered setting at the beautiful mid-​century modern Mauna Kea Resort facing the ocean at sunset. The hostess, dancers and artists were all very talented and gave such a positive energy… they gave their all. The kids were thoroughly entertained and loved the fire dancers. There was enough room to allow the kids to watch from the side (when they were feeling antsy) or the in front of the stage but there really wasn’t a bad seat in the house. Only negative was I got a few mosquito bites (I’m one of those that seem to attract Mosquitos so be prepared if necessary.
After the show, we didn’t want to fight the crowd waiting for valet so we took our time and took photos with the performers. While walking toward the lobby, we saw the ocean lit up and noticed that it attracted plankton which attracted 4 large manta rays which was awesome! By the time we were done with this, 30minutes now after the show, there was no wait at valet.
I would do this again.
Oh and look for a buy one get one 50% off coupon in the This Week free magazine usually available in the hotel lobby.

The family had a great evening at this luau. We enjoyed the more intimate setting with the ocean and sunset as the background. My 10 yr old daughter has significant nut and seafood allergies and we are always concerned about buffets. The staff handled this above and beyond our expectations. We got there early and as soon as you are seated you can go through the buffet. There where chefs at each station that walked me through what she could safely eat. Executive Chef Pollie even went out of his way to cook her a steak without the teriyaki sauce and gave her a special dessert. Thank you so much for the extra care!!!
The show was awesome. The kids really enjoyed the story about Pele and of course the fire dance.
Only negative was bug bites after it got dark so use some insect repellant!

Really gorgeous setting. Very intimate. Loved watching the sun set as the show began. Not like the other big/​commercial luaus. Food was good, too. Very interactive. My kids are 7 and 5 and they were totally enthralled from the «royal court» introduction to the fire dancers to the finale. Appreciated that they had lower pricing for the kids. No photos during show but all of the performers hung around after to take photos and meet the audience. My five year old was super excited to meet the fire dancers and they did not disappoint. Not only did they take a photo with him but they were also very friendly and patiently answered his questions. Great experience!
Plus, the Muana Kea is so beautiful and traditional — old world Hawaii. After the show we even saw two huge manta rays swimming near the hotel.
A really wonderful evening. Highly recommend.

My wife and I attended this luau in April. The setting, at the Mauna Kea hotel, hearkens back to the old world charm for which this hotel is known (back in the day, this was the /​the/​big time hotel resort on the Kona side of the island).
We made our reservation the day-​of via OpenTable, and ended up with pretty good seats despite arriving well after folks had lined up for the luau. As others have stated, we had our picture taken against a gorgeous background and were then moved through and seated.
Our server was prompt and explained what was to come. We helped ourselves to several trips to the buffet area as the MC warmed up the crowd. Food-​wise, i’d only give it 3 stars — the pork and beef options were pretty good though being a buffet not piping hot, but many of the other options were flatly average.
However, it was part of the larger experience of taking in the show, which I must say was pretty good (the fire dancers and Tahitian dancer especially). The performance itself lasted what felt like an hour and 45 minutes (other reviewers have explained the show so I will not rehash it here).
Once the show was over it there was about a 15 – 20 minute wait as all of the non hotel guests waited for valet to retrieve cars. There was no charge for valet, but build that into your departure especially if you are staying back in Kailua instead of nearby Waikoloa.
All told I’m glad we went, even if it was a bit touristy.

Misrepresented, badly organized and very poorly cooked. That sums it up. They lie to you that it has IMU ceremony. People line up, and when you enter you are told that’s its done. Apparently you are suppose to know that its happening behind the bar. Then you are sifted at large communal senior tables and can go get yourself a buffet food. Horrible poke (get much better at any super market), blant fish and really horribly cooked luau pork. All of this is narrated but some very boring history lesson and no show. Show is suppose to be after. Not sure that we will last that long, and just go have a great dinner somewhere else…

Great show we took the whole family and the food was delicious. Had a professional photographer so got some great pictures to take home. This luau had an actual story of pele unlike the others we have been too.

My family and I loved this luau! It was such a gorgeous setting and was much more intimate than the other luaus we have been to in the past. We especially liked the fire dancer!!!

A tad bit overpriced, but what isn’t in Hawaii? ;) I thought the performers put on an excellent show and they clearly enjoy what they do. I would recommend this one if you’re in the area.

We opted out of the $ 65 per person buffet and just purchased $ 36 show tickets. Neither of us are big buffet fans
The show was about 1 ½ hours of continuous dancing They started with the beginning of Hawaiian history and came up to statehood. Bringing on Somoan and Tihitisn culture. The dancers all danced a lot and very hard. The flame twirler was quite the hit. He grabbed the flames several times
Would still like to see another show to compare to

MAUNA KEA LUAU: Tue and Friday 1745 Imu ceremony and 1800 – 2100 Buffet and Show. $ 96.00 adult/​$ 48.00 children (5 – 12) plus tax and gratuity. Show only $ 36.00 adult/​$ 19.00 children plus tax.
We did not pay to see the show. We just happened to pass through there not knowing the Luau was going on. We got sucked into nice voice and music, and getting closer, we saw very enjoyable nice performances. Dances were really good.

We have been to 4 luaus now including this. We went to PCC twice and then Paradise Cove once, which are both in Oahu.
CONS
It’s pretty pricey because on the other luaus we’ve been to, we paid less than $ 100 for the buffet, show & other activities, but here we paid $ 110 including tip for the show & buffet. On every luau I go to, I have a habit of comparing the taro bread from PCC, which is like heaven to me. The taro bread they have here is blah, but majority of the food are delish.
PROS
I like the fact that they don’t discriminate and treat you differently because of how much you paid like the luaus in Oahu, where if you pay more you get front row seat for the show & a special lei. Here everyone pays the same amount & are treated equally. The seating is on a first come per serve basis. For some reason I payed more attention to the show here. It was interesting because it’s about the story of Pele the Hawaiian fire goddess. Also, I guess because they don’t allow you to take pictures or videos during the show as oppose to the other luaus I’ve been to. Overall I enjoyed our experience here in Mauna Kea.

We had a really nice time here. The view was really beautiful. It definitely seems higher end than other buffet style setups. The food was pretty good. Not amazing but it was like 3.5−4 star food. The show was a lot of fun. Your price comes with food, an alcoholic drink, and the show. It was around $ 97 each. When we got the bill, they gave us a discount which made our bill around $ 170 with tip included for the both of us. The resort was really nice on the outside too. The only real negative was that the waitress never really got us anything after our first drink and that took quite a bit. We would have drank a lot more if she was around. Afterwards we walked out to their small terrace where they had the lights on that attracted the manta rays. Overall a very enjoyable time

We had never been to a luau before. I always looked at luau menus and wouldn’t pay to eat the food. However the menu at Mauna Kea’ s menu looked a little more appealing. The show was great. The fire dancer was the best part of the show. The costumes could use a little more effort and or authenticity. The food was very good. The kaulua turkey (cooked under ground like the infamous pork) was a nice option and had great flavor. The stage is set up with the ocean in the back ground. Definitely a great spot since you get to see the sun set during the show. The free lei was a nice addition as some places charge.

I’ve been to a few lu’aus on different Hawaiian islands. This one was pretty good. I definitely recommend reservations & getting there early as they seat you in the order that you show up. They have a photographer taking your picture before you enter (the pictures were available for purchase afterwards for $ 30 each & were very professional looking). Cost for the lu’au is $ 96 per person ($ 66 for the buffet and one drink (a very watered down Mai tai or non-​alcoholic fruit punch) & $ 30 for the show); what they don’t tell you is they automatically add 15% gratuity to the entire bill (food & show). We were a party of two. I’m not a fan of having gratuity automatically added to the bill without prior knowledge (unless you’re a large party, then it’s expected). That being said, the food at the buffet is the best lu’au food I’ve had. Such a big selection and all so very good! I was so stuffed! The entertainment was very good. I loved the live band and the Hawaiian hula dancers were quite good. They do a lot in this show to involved the kids and other members of the audience. It’s cute but that portion of the show can get really slow. Overall, it was good for the one time but not certain I’d do it again next time I return to the big island.