Just book it, and book the Alii tickets. Everything about the luau experience was awesome. The staff were amazing, the food was delicious and plentiful, the entertainment was absolutely fantastic and you're right on the beach. Yes, the luau is technically at a hotel and yes it's expensive but the experience is second to none. We've visited one of the other "popular" luaus in our visits and they can't hold a candle to Auli'i. Do yourself a favor, book the tickets. Take the family. Make some memories. read more

Attended my first Auliʻi Luau at the Sheraton, and I have to say, it exceeded my expectations. I was a little nervous about the price at first, but if you're going to experience a luau, this one is absolutely worth it. Your ticket includes dinner, drinks, a live band, and an incredible show. The entertainment was engaging, educational, and beautifully showcased Hawaiian culture. The fire dance finale was an absolute showstopper! The service was excellent from start to finish, and the entire experience felt well organized and welcoming. It's very family-friendly and offers about 2 1/2 hours of entertainment. To top it all off, the beachfront setting and sunset views are absolutely stunning. I would definitely recommend the Auliʻi Luau to anyone visiting Kauai. It's an experience that's well worth the price. read more

FANTABULOUS!! This was the most magical experience. Walking into the Sheraton Resort Villas we were welcomed by the most beautiful greeters dressed in golden dresses and crownless hats. The necklaces were yellow flowers made out of shells. The whole experience start to finish was impeccable with so much intention and attention to the details. We arrived around 5:20 and right at 5:30 the conch shells were blown by dancers to start the event. We started with pupus, Mai Tais, and Blue Hawaiians and an opportunity to see some traditional crafts and cultural activities such as opening coconuts, stamping, games, and music. The band.... Wow!!! They were so talented and had such beautiful voices. I love that they played and worked hand in hand with the dancers. Throughout the night I learned so much about the island and, the history of all the cultures coming together, and the absolute beauty of the people. The Emcee did a great job of interacting with the crowd and not making it feel too forced or cheesy. Mahalo Auli'i Luau for an unforgettable experience and for sharing the heart of your people. 10/10 I would go again. read more

Such a beautiful Luau! The show + food was all amazing. I believe the Luau gives you the opportunity to try a lot of traditional foods here in Hawaii. The food attendants were consistently cleaning up our table, which I appreciated! The show was BEAUTIFUL, and the spokesperson did an AMAZING job. Come check out this Luau :) read more

See all

Food needs to be elevated for Premier. The misrepresented the inclusions if you pay for Premier accommodation. Bland food. Service: Need to hire better staff. We purchased Premier and the wanted to separate us to accommodate a family of Karen. Ambiance: This Luau is surrounded by hotel rooms. This particular Luau attracts riff riffs. B Performance. Very Mediocre. Not worth the price. OTHER LUAU S ARE MUCH BETTER!!! If crowd, Food, service doesn't matter, attend this Luau. Otherwise go somewhere else. read more

Food was very good, but the show and the drinks were lacking. The open bar consists of two cocktail choices: the watered down Mai Tai or the watered down Blue Hawaiian. Not a true open bar with other options. Just those two only. I would have preferred to have had a daiquiri or pina colada option. But the food was very good as I mentioned, especially the kalua pork and the teriyaki steak. The show itself was alright. I've been spoiled by the show at the Old Lahaina Luau over on Maui. They did have the fire knife performance, which was pretty good. But the overall quality of the show itself was probably 3 stars for me. read more

Auli'i Luau - Rising moon during the luau at the Sheraton. - Performing Arts Near Me - Koloa, Hawaii

A great night! Food was good and abundant and the show was excellent. Our 9 family members, 6 adults and 3 small kids opted for the premier seating and it was worth it. We were first to eat the buffet style dinner and were seated right in front of the stage. The dancers were all terrific especially the ending performance of the fire dancers. It was a very memorable night that I'm sure all of us will always remember. read more

See all

This was a spectacular performance, spectacular food, & spectacular location! We've actually been to a few other luau's on Oahu & the Big Island and this is the best one yet so far. We wanted to make sure we went to one ON the beach because of authenticity and this one did not disappoint. Don't go to one indoors! The performers were spot on traditionally. The food & drinks were very good! I just wish there was a pig cooking underground we could have eaten from. But the taste & variety of food was great! We even had a bento box waiting at our table!!! That was a nice surprise! The location! Ah! The location was beautiful! We got there before sunset, watched the sunset and when the sun went down, the fire performance, and more of the others, came out. It was amazing! There were even craft presentations that you could take a part of. A small shop. There was a professional photographer that, if you wanted, could take photos ON the beach for you. Then you could purchase photos at a reasonable cost. Overall, we LOVED it! I have SO many more photos, but shared some of the best! read more

See all

This was our 3rd luau and frankly it rivaled the one we did the year prior at Aulani on Oahu. SO much less crowded than the one we did on Maui. Fun little activities to do before the show. Our seats were literally in the first row behind the priority seating- our kids could actually see, I was impressed and hope it was because I booked so early :) unlimited (2 choice) tiki drinks and sodas/juice for kids. Really decent buffet too! The fire show was spectacular - neither of the other luaus we'd seen included that. We saw the sunset and a rainbow and it was literally right on the ocean- just so cool. Our kids were thoroughly entertained till the end which gives it the full 5 stars. read more

See all

Tremendous service, food, and great entertainment. A memorable night on the beach that is truly enjoyable.

If you never experienced a luau, just make reservations and GO. Yes, it is expensive, however getting premiere seats are just worth it. Food is ok, but very tasty for a buffet format. However, the location on the beach and all the variety of dances are most excellent! Live music throughout. Great narrator/mc too. The historic Hawaiian dances start as the meal begins...as the sunset takes place the stage lights turn on and the dances continue as it gets dark and transition to other complex south Pacific islands tradition ending in of course in the fire dance! Mahola read more

Overrated and Not Worth the Price. I recently attended the Auli'i Luau, and while the experience was okay, I don't think it was worth the price. It feels a bit overrated, and I believe you're mainly paying for the view rather than the experience itself. The staff were lovely, but honestly, everyone in Kauai is nice . I was expecting a bit more, especially when it came to the food. Unfortunately, the tuna poke was extremely fishy and poorly seasoned, with rough cuts of fish just mixed with seaweed and onions. The proteins--chicken, beef, fish, and kalua pork--were all dry and lacked proper seasoning. The kalua pork had the most flavor, but I've had much better elsewhere. I was hoping for a more authentic Hawaiian experience, but this was the only luau we could get into since the other two top options were sold out. The drinks were mediocre with only two choices that tasted more like juice, and the desserts were a huge letdown--honestly, they reminded me of a typical buffet in California (not a compliment). As for the performance, it was alright. They did a good job incorporating Hawaiian history, but the overall show felt a bit boring and even made my husband sleepy. The fire performance at the end was the best part, but that's about it. Would I recommend this luau? Probably not. If it's your last option, it's fine, but I wouldn't go out of my way for it. read more

What a perfect night we had at the Auli'i Luau! This was the first luau that 3 out of the 4 people in my group had attended, and it was the highlight of our week in Kauai! Upon entering the luau, we were greeted with shell leis and were taken to our table. The appetizers were out and the bar was open, so we made our way to get food. There was a quick introduction to the evening to the stage, and then our tables were dismissed for dinner. During dinner, there was dancing and entertainment on the stage and different stations that you could visit to learn about Hawaiian instruments, Poi, learn how to open a coconut (and drink from it), get spray-on tattoos, etc. The food was really delicious! We are not an easy group to feed, as one person is gluten free, one is dairy free, and I'm a vegetarian. However, there was plenty of signage saying "gluten-free" and "vegetarian", so we knew exactly what we were eating! We also felt like there were plenty of options for each dietary restriction. The actual performance was really engaging, and everyone was so talented! If you are planning to attend a luau, I'd recommend this one! read more

Auli'i Luau - two women with tattoos on their arms - Performing Arts Near Me - Koloa, Hawaii

Smiths family luau is by far better luau the Location on the beach for this luau was good but right next to the pool under the hotel rooms was strange Food was ok not great desserts were horrible The show was well done fire dancers are by far the best part of the show Was sad that they didn't do the unearthing of the pig The price was very high for what you got it felt like it was crammed into a small space I would not recommend this luau if you come to Kauai read more

The food was ok, the bad side was: a lot of flies around. The environment was very nice, great service. I recommend you arrive early. Aloha read more

Auli'i Luau - The environment was very nice. I had a such great time at the Luau. I recommend you arrives early. - Performing Arts Near Me - Koloa, Hawaii

We've been to a half dozen luaus on different islands over the years. Auli'i is perfectly middle of the road by comparison which is not a bad thing. The luau is outside the Sheraton pool area so it's a bit odd that basically all the Sheraton guests are watching the show for free. The stage is pretty small so if you're sitting in the back, the view isn't great. The food was fine. It's what you'd expect of mass produced luau food. I liked most of it, my family less so. The dessert table was the highlight, which everyone loved. The show was fast. Started around 715 and ended a little after 8. Again, not a bad thing. The performances were all great, with the fire dancing being the highlight. All in all, dinner and a show for 4 for $700 isn't a bad way to spend a night on Kauai. read more

I highly recommend this luau if you are visiting Kauai! Very well organized! The food was amazing! Drinks were quick! They had fun activities before the entertainment started and a professional photographer! The entertainment itself was beautiful and so fun! I was dancing in my chair the entire time! They told the story of the Hawaiian culture both verbally and by movement! The performers were amazing and they even threw some funny dances in the performance! I fully enjoyed myself! And to top it off it was located right on the beach so the ambiance was perfect! I had a great time! Mahalo! read more

I took my whole family here for the luau experience. They had a great time! A few activities before the dinner, drinks were brought out to us as we waited in line to enter got the ambiance going. The buffet meal was good but not spectacular. The show was a lot of fun. Note: if anyone has food allergies, if you specify that at the time of reservation, then they will give you a link to a list of allergies when you check in. This was so helpful for my group! read more

See all

Terrible! Way overpriced for tasteless buffet food. Much better choices on the island; Smith's Family is significantly better. Drinks are very watered down. read more

Due to rain, our Lu'au was moved from the beach to an indoor location. I'm glad they were able to accommodate everyone with the inclement weather, however, being in a hotel conference room made you very aware throughout the entire show that you are in a hotel conference room. The food was so so, though I was just happy to eat! I am gluten-free and was worried there wouldn't be options, but there were! They actually had a nice spread of food, even though it didn't taste fantastic. The staff were really funny and nice and the band was great. As for the dancers, I'm going to give you two versions. My version: The dancers were talented, though not all of them could match the great energy level some of the dancers exuded. The dances were fun and took us through many of the Pacific Islands and told stories of the people. The fire dancer was really daring, especially indoors. I totally expected the sprinklers to go off! There was a photographer taking pictures, which she later emailed to us for purchase. The prices were outrageous, especially given they are digital prints. My husband's version: He thought the dancers had poor timing overall. He thought there were a few dancers who seemed to know their stuff and the others were sorely lacking. He stated that this is not the caliber of dancer he expected in a professional Lu'au. It is worth going to, as we definitely had a good time. Be aware that if there is a chance of rain you will likely be moved indoors. read more

Auli'i Luau - Performing Arts Near Me - Koloa, Hawaii

Best luau anywhere!!! Being outside by the ocean created an amazing ambiance and seeing the sunset was an extra touch. They have lots of pre show entertainment, free mai tais and beer before you even get started. Food was EXCELLENT!! There was also a large variety and it was well labeled for food allergies. The main show was a history of Polynesian culture with very talented dancing accompanied by high quality drummers and a great emcee The night was topped off with high quality fire dancing with four tossing fire at the end. Will attend this one again! read more

We were very fortunate to get last minute seating for this incredible luau. The staff were very friendly. Really great views of the ocean on their grassy Garden area. Overall the food was good, common foods you would expect at a luau. The performers and storyteller were excellent. I really appreciated the beautiful ceremony and all the dancers. I was so happy to be able to bring my teenagers to such a beautiful location and have them witness a ceremony that help them understand some of the Hawaiian culture and why this is such a special place. read more

Auli'i Luau - Performing Arts Near Me - Koloa, Hawaii

The luau is normally outdoors but the forecast showed scattered rain and they moved it into the Sheraton's Hotel event space. I understand why there was a need to move it indoor but was disappointed we weren't able to see the sunset/ocean at all. Since it rains often here in Kauai, I expected they would've had options to keep it outdoors somehow (i.e tents). We bought the premier seating and it was about $225 after tax and fees per person. So, I was bummed we didn't get a nice view. However, we got seated in the front table and was happy with our seating placement. However, we went to get our appetizers and came back to another couple sitting in our seats who also had premier seating and was told to sit there by the host. There must've been a miscommunication about the seating arrangement. Because the organizer did not have enough seats and added seats to the front table at the last minute for us. It made it uncomfortable to watch the show because my back was turned against the dancers and I kept having to turn around to watch the show. The food was mediocre. There were some good dishes. For example, the tuna poke, steak, macaroni, ube bread, tako appetizer, and beef appetizer was good. The coconut dessert was also good. Since it's a luau, I expected to see the traditional cooking method of the pig because I've been to another luau where they show the underground oven used to cook pig and pulled the whole pig out. Here, they just had everything as a buffet. Nothing special. It felt like a regular event/show. The open bar was good. They offered two options - Mai Tai and Blue Hawaii. It was really easy to get drinks. The only downside is the event ends at 830pm but they closed the bar off at 8pm without any warning or last call. The dancers were all amazing and very entertaining. The show itself was great. The fire dance was amazing. The band was also very fun to watch. The staff was also very friendly. Overall, for the price we paid ($450) for two people, it definitely was not worth it and was not a true Hawaiian experience. read more

This is where my profile picture was taken!I was here with James' family in November 16th. We got a special discount due to a family member's wedding and it ended up being about $100 for the traditional luau. We went half an hour before Luau started. Parking was easy because there was designated parking for Luau customers. Oh man, the weather was so unpredictable and it started to rain when we were waiting in line. There was no shade so some people went under the umbrella while some people just stayed in line and got wet. Luckily the rain stopped before we got all wet. There were two choice of Luau. One is premium where you will be seated in a round table in front of the stage. And you will also get a flower lei. The other is regular where you will be seated in long tables that could hold up to maybe 20 people? And you will get a seashell lei. I think the premium one is $50 more? Our party was big and we were all seated pretty close to the stage in two long tables. I have to say the bride did a good job making arrangement for us. One of the uncles who is local of Kauai said this Luau has better show while the other Luau has better food. I won't know because I only visited this one. I think the food was not bad at all here. Drinks was plentiful too. Before the actual show, James and I were able to try swing the ball on the rope thingy hula dancers use for their show. The hula dancer was trying​ to teach us but it was very hard! Anyway, this Luau was fun and people were very nice. The performers and hosts knew how to get people participate. We had a great time with the family and a full belly. I think it will be nicer if it didn't rain though. read more

Auli'i Luau - I was trying to fit as much food as I can so I didn't need to go back. - Performing Arts Near Me - Koloa, Hawaii

See all

The luau overall was good. I've been to a few on different islands and this was probably the priciest and most underwhelming of them all. I was surprised it had such great reviews which is why I chose it. I would say the show, food and environment were standard. Employees were very friendly! I was about halfway back and it was difficult to see the show because the sitting space as well as the stage are pretty small. read more

The story was great, the show and performers were amazing. The view was nice, the show is right next to the water. This was my 3rd luau on my 3rd Island and it is placed 3rd for me. Get there early! Our start time was 5:30 but I guess people were allowed in before that. This was the only way to look at merch and they had little stations for tattoos and a few other things that I literally can't remember because it went by so quickly. They say no photos, take your own! They will take them for you and its $30 a pop! There was no pig in the ground, I can get over that. The food was good, but rushed. Soooo rushed, I can't stress this enough. It was like marathon eating. You sit down apps are there you get apps and hardly finish and someone is ready to clear it for you. I guess that means great service? Next was dinner, don't even think about seconds because the second they actually announce it they are already clearing it for desserts. We sat in premiere seating because it was mine & my husband's "reception" after our wedding with our immediate family. I know premiere seating said round tables, but we were a group of 22 people... it felt so segregated split between 3 round tables 5 ft apart. I wish they would have called and told us the standard seating would be better for our group. I feel like I just had higher expectations from the previous 2 Luaus that I had attended. If you are NOT GOING for anything other than the show, then it's great. read more

The story? History & food was good. The beach makes it even better. I was disappointed that there wasn't a rotisserie pig &/or not everyone received a flower lei. read more

The performances were spectacular. The location on the beach was also perfect. The food was good but didn't blow me away. Drinks kept coming - they weren't too strong so you can drink many. I would recommend it to anyone. Wish I had more time to eat the appetizers though. I felt a little rushed with the food. read more

Auli'i Luau - Performing Arts Near Me - Koloa, Hawaii

This was a great and fun experience! Get there early as the lines can get long. Premier is nice and you get a Flower Lei versus a shell one and seating up front but our family did the standard. Upon arrival they serve juice and Blue Hawaiians and Mai Tai's which seemed to start up strong and end up really weak. Great experience. Keep in mind that if the weather is iffy and has been bad it will be in the showroom versus outside.. We saw in the showroom with was fine although it would have been nicer outside on the beach. They served appetizers and the meal was nice and the best in my opinion was the marinated steak and Edamame! The show was fun and entertaining! Again being indoors it wasn't as special as I would have liked on the beach but that is weather for you. The doors opened at 530 and the show was over by 815. I had fun, switched to unlimited wine ( and beer ) and we had a lot of fun . Attached some pictures, Aloha! read more

See all

My girls loved playing with the balls on a rope(IDK what the proper name is) and the performers prior to the show. One lady was so sweet- she actually came up to us after the show and asked my daughter (remembered her name even ) if she enjoyed the show! Her picture is below- whoever is her manager: you did a fantastic job in hiring her- very personable with the kids! The main guy Kaui was fantastic and the band excellent. Dancers did a wonderful job and since we were in the back I appreciated the mini stage that was off to the side so we could see some of the performance closer. Fire guy was amazing and memorable. Food is hands down the best luau food I've ever had- but the adult drinks were meh. read more

Auli'i Luau - Performing Arts Near Me - Koloa, Hawaii

See all

After living in Hawaii for nearly two years, I finally decided it was time to try out a Luau. This one is colocated at the Sheraton Kaua'i resort where we stayed, so it was convenient and overall enjoyable. The Luau wasn't sold out the night we went, and noticing our stroller in tow, the hosts sat us at the end of a table and blocked out the seats next to us so we would have plenty of space for the baby. This was a nice and very observant touch. Next, the open bar, featuring mai tais and blue Hawaiians, red and white wine selections, and Primo-brand Hawaiian beer. I had each of the cocktails, and found them very underwhelming, especially the blue Hawaiian, and stuck with Primo for most of the night. The bartender was fast and efficient, despite there being only one bar serving the whole Luau. I was impressed that I never had to stand in line. One might guess that the attraction of a luau is the show, but for me it was the food. I didn't have a single bad thing to eat! I particularly enjoyed the steak, but everything, including the starters and desserts, was very good! As for the show, I enjoyed it, perhaps learned a thing or two, but it got a bit tired near the end. I appreciated the round-up of cultures from across the Polynesian Islands, but everything dropped off at the Hawaiian portion, which explored Hollywood's impact, and felt (accurately) manufactured, killing the energy of the show. Of course the Luau culminates in fire dancing, which is amusing. Overall it was a worthy show but difficult to take seriously when the actors/dancers repeat for each island representation. Still, considering the delicious food, reliably endless drinks, and the number of people involved in the production I think the three-figure price tag is pretty reasonable, and a worthwhile experience. read more

While the performers and the band were *really good*... the indoor luau was a total bust. It was like being at a dreadful timeshare event. I get that weather forced their hand here, but rather than move their guests to a more appropriate setting, (or give us a raincheck), it turned into a sad farce in a conference room. read more

We were on the fence because it seemed a bit touristy but are very glad we decided to go. It was a great chance to get a sampling of delicious local foods, history, music and culture all at once. Everyone working at the luau was extremely welcoming, and it seemed like everyone was genuinely excited to share their history and culture. I went with a large group and had a fantastic time. You start with Maitais and Blue Hawaiians (strong enough) while you line up before being seated, and they keep bringing them around. There is a buffet of appetizers ("pupu") which had spicy beef, potatoes, edamame and potato chips, then a full dinner buffet of chicken, beef, pork and salmon and ahi tuna. All of the food was very good - I could've had a full entree of any of the offerings and been satisfied. Dessert buffet had choices of mango and pineapple cake, chocolate cake, and huapia - all good. Beware, get everything you want to try on your first pass because they move quickly and you won't have a chance to go back and grab other dishes (except dessert was available for the duration of the show I believe). Then, after dessert is served and it's dark out, the show really kicked off and there was a ton of history woven into a music and dance show that had everyone (kids included) absolutely riveted to the stage. The MC Moi was awesome - he really worked the crowd and even came over and "scared" my little nephew with his act so much my nephew tried to hide under the table! It was all in good fun though and he was extremely gracious taking photos afterwards too. read more

Auli'i Luau - Maitai - Performing Arts Near Me - Koloa, Hawaii

See all

The performances were great! We loved the MC's educational interjections throughout and we felt like we really learned a lot about this beautiful tradition. The fire show at the end was fantastic. We decided to do the premium level, which includes seating right in front of the stage. It was a great choice, as we got to see every aspect of the performance up close. The band was awesome - very talented musicians. The ambiance was ok and the food was alright. We were hoping for a bit more than standard buffet tables/chafing dishes. Definitely worth doing if you can, though. read more

An unforgettable experience. Brother Simi puts on a first class Hawaiian Luau. Excellent blue Hawaiians and Mai Tais at the open bar. The buffet has a great selection of flavorful local dishes that are farm fresh and cooked perfectly. The desserts were good as well. The Sheraton hotel at Poipu beach is a perfect backdrop for the show. The dancers are cute, handsome and they all dance great. And don't forget the musicians, their sound is amazing, and they harmonize well. Highly recommend this to everyone visiting Kauai!! read more

See all

For the cost, I would have preferred Smiths Luau. The food was good but felt rushed. The moment we got pupus and sat down they were saying to get up for the main courses and then desserts. I want to enjoy my food not be rushed to see if there's any left before something else replaces it. The MC was funny and entertaining. The dancers were all good but the placing of the tables only certain people could see the stage. those who were not facing the stage could not eat and enjoy the show at the same time. Musicians were great but one gripe is that they played over the MC the whole show so we couldn't hear what he was saying at times. TLDR: spend the money and check out Smiths if you want a un-rushed dinner and a show. If you are here just to eat then this might be for you. read more

If it rains, they seem to know that they will move it indoors in the morning... In that case, give the option to cancel for a refund. I did not want to spend $400 to eat buffet in a ballroom. It was extremely disappointing, especially for the price and having to drive an hour to the location from where we were staying. However, the show is a very good one, and I appreciated them explaining the cultural aspects. read more

If you want a traditional luau this is the place to go. You get to watch the sunset over the ocean while enjoying a delicious dinner and great entertainment. Just call the Sheraton before your trip and make a reservation. They have general and premier seating. If you arrive 30 minutes early, you will get great general seats. They have endless mai tais and blue hawaiians. It is also kid friendly! Bring extra cash for their vendors who sit at the front or if you want to buy a lei. We had such a lovely time! read more

Auli'i Luau - Blue Hawaiian - Performing Arts Near Me - Koloa, Hawaii

This was my girls first Luau and they had an absolute blast. We loved the food, the band, the performers, and the amazing hostess. We couldn't have asked for a better first night in Kauai. Made the long day of travel totally worth it. The view being along side the beach was a huge bonus. The hostess was exceptional and I had to keep reminding myself that there was a live band because they were so good. The performers were awesome. read more

Entertainment was amazing!! The MC did great, performers and the food was good. I don't drink alcohol so I would have like to have another option rather than juice and water. I didn't have Primer seating and had a tall guy in front of me...probably worth the money to get it OR the MC could suggest people to be courteous to those around them. IF YOU GO....please hoot and hauler and clap you hearts out for these performers they give it their all and I was very mad at the people just sitting there not even clapping and that was more then half the audience!!! I was so mad at them!! Loved that it was on the beach and at sunset. No need to dress really nice unless you want a photo taken. read more