At Go Visit Hawaii, we know that there are a number of different luau options for anyone planning a trip to Hawaii. We also know that researching the different luau options is fairly difficult as not all the relevant information is readily available. As promised in the article on tips for choosing a Hawaiian luau and as a service to our readers, we’ve researched and compiled the information to assist you in finding that special luau experience. Starting today, we begin our series of listing the luaus on each island. We begin the series on the Big Island. All the luaus on the Big Island are in the Kona and Kohala areas. Most of them have sunset views.

Please note that all pricing and timing was accurate at the time of posting. Luau can and do change pricing, timing and websites without warnings. When I’m alerted to a change, I do update this listing.

Kohala Coast Luaus

Royal Luau at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott
Opens: Check-in between 4:30 and 5:00
Nights: Saturdays and Wednesdays
Location/Setting: Adjacent to the Anaehoomalu fishponds with a sunset view. (See this photo of the grounds.)
Prices: $88 for adults and $40 for children aged 6 – 12. Children under 5 are free.
Price Includes: Buffet, open-bar drinks, Polynesian show and taxes
Lei Greeting: With upgraded seating only. 
Imu Ceremony: Yes at 6:00
For Reservations: 1-808-886-6789
Reviews: TripAdvisor, Yahoo
Additional Information: Official Luau Flier. Upgraded seating is offered at $25 per person and includes a lei greeting, first row seating and Hawaiian pupu (appetizer).

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel Luau
Opens: 5:30pm
Nights: Tuesdays (usually, though in slower months it may not be offered every Tuesday) and Fridays
Location/Setting: Ocean front at the grounds of the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel
Prices: $102.48 (including taxes & gratuity) for adults. Price does not include drinks. Cost for children is $51.24
Price Includes: Buffet, show, gratuity and taxes
Lei Greeting: Orchid lei
Imu Ceremony: Yes
For Reservations: 808-882-5810.
Reviews: TripAdvisor
Additional Information: Official Web site

Gathering of the Kings at Fairmont Orchid
Opens: 4:30 Check-In
Nights: Saturdays
Location/Setting: Outdoor, sheltered lawn on grounds of Fairmont Orchid. See this link for more information.
Prices: $99 for adults, children ages 6 -12 $65 (Upgrade available for $25 per person)
Price Includes: Polynesian show, Buffet stations for each of the major Polynesian islands, drinks, gratuities
Lei Greeting: Shell lei
Imu Ceremony:
For Reservations: (808) 326-4969
Reviews: TripAdvisor
Additional Information: Official Web site Also see: Island Breeze Web site

Legends of the Pacific at the Hilton Waikoloa Village
Opens: Doors open at 5:30
Nights: Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays
Location/Setting: At Hilton Waikoloa Resort grounds. (No water views from the seating area.  See photo 1 and 2 for views of the seating set up.)
Prices: $109 for adults, $99 for seniors 65 and older, $99 for teens 13- 18, $54 for children 5 – 12 and free for children under 5. Upgrade seating to front row with family-style food served and unlimited Mai Tais at your table for additional $26 per person. You can skip the food altogether and just see the show for $60 per adult and $50 per teen which begins at 7:15 p.m.
Price Includes: Buffet, two cocktails, Polynesian show.
Lei Greeting: None
Imu Ceremony: Yes at 6:00
For Reservations: 1-808-886-1234
Reviews: TripAdvisor
Additional Information: Official Website

Kona Luaus

Kona Village Luau at Kona Village Resort - Sadly this entire resort had to close due to damage from the March 2011 tsunami damage.
Opens: 5:15
Nights: Wednesdays (Hula Mana), Fridays (Savaii Polynesian Show, the longest running show)
Location/Setting: At Kona Village Resort grounds 10 miles north of Kona.
Prices: $98 for Adults and teens 13 years and older, $67 for children ages 6 – 12 and $40 for children ages 3 – 5.
Price Includes: Buffet, one drink and hula (Wednesday) or Polynesian show (Friday).
Lei Greeting: None
Imu Ceremony: Yes on Fridays
For Reservations: 1-808-325-5555
Reviews: TripAdvisor, Epinions, Travel.Taquitos
Additional Information: Official Website Of all the Big Island luaus that I’ve experienced, the Friday night show and buffet here is superior. I highly recommend the Friday night Polynesian show. See my full review of Kona Village Luau.

Island Breeze Hawaiian Luau at King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel
Opens: 5:00
Nights: Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays
Location/Setting: King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel grounds in Kona. (These grounds are very historic.)
Prices: $75.65 for adults, $37.80 for children ages 5 – 12, children under 5 are admitted free
Prices Includes: Buffet, open bar, Polynesian show, taxes
Lei Greeting: Shell Lei
Imu Ceremony: Yes, plus also they have a royal Hawaiian court presentation.
For Reservations: 1-808-326-4969
Reviews: TripAdvisor 1, TripAdvisor 2
Additional Information: Hotel Website, Island Breeze Production Website (Note that at the time of this update, if you book through the hotel, you’ll get a 20% discount.)

Royal Kona Resort Luau
Opens: 5:00
Nights: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays
Location/Setting: Royal Kona Resort grounds in Kona (ocean front with sunset views)
Prices: $62.40 for adults, $26.96 for children 5 – 12, children under 5 admitted free for each paid adult
Prices Includes: Buffet, open bar, Polynesian show, gratuities. Taxes are extra.
Lei Greeting: Shell Lei
Imu Ceremony: Yes
For Reservations: 1-808-329-3111 or book online
Reviews: TripAdvisor, IgoUgo
Additional Information: Official Website

Haleo Luau Dinner and Show at Sheraton Keauhou Bay
Opens: TBD
Nights: Mondays
Location/Setting: Ocean front
Prices: $79.95 for dults, $49.95 for children, 5 & under are free (Alii upgrade, $15 adults, $10 children, includes souvenir lei, express ticket purchase and check-in and reserved front section seating.)
Prices Includes: Buffet, show, drinks, gratuities. Taxes are extra.
Lei Greeting: Souvenir lei for Ali’i upgrade
Imu Ceremony:
For Reservations: 808-326-4969
Reviews: TBD
Additional Information:  Official Website

All prices and times were accurate at the time this article was written. As resorts often change dates and prices, please verify current times, days, and prices.

We will be continuing this series over the coming weeks. Subscribe to our free updates via e-mail or RSS, to make sure you don’t miss a beat.

Have you been to any of these Big Island Luaus? What did you think?