Amazing performance, I highly recommend you make it a point to see this show…read more Dine early in Waikiki and walk over to enjoy the performance at Outrigger Beachcomber. If you're a fan of Cirque de Soleil then you will know this show is on par.

So glad I finally got to see 'Auana in February 2026 after they were dark when I was last in O'ahu…read morein August 2025. Just know that the theater is by far the smallest Cirque theater I've been in, and I've seen all of their shows in Las Vegas and a few of their travelling shows in San Francisco and Dallas. As far as the show... I will say that Hawai'i in general leans HARD into the "wise indigenous / magical Native" trope to the point it feels self-stereotyping. (See @Itzeaglee on Instagram where he calls out people expecting Native people to act "indigenously.") This trope is central to the show which can feel a bit silly. This Cirque production also seems to lean into the "mystical kūpuna" (which is the Hawaiian version of the "noble savage") stereotype. The show begins with a fake, clueless tourist (actor) who is put to sleep by a native musician (in traditional clothes.) The wise, mystical musician has no need for the tourist's money that he tried to hand him during the show. The tourist actor is awoken and surrounded by smoke as dancers encircle him as the female kūpuna does a Hawaiian chant. He's frightened and tries to flee as the dancers boldly, but free from emotion, spin a canoe paddle during their dance. It segues into a scene where what I assume is Maui's Manaiakalani is thrown into water and as it's pulled up, a curtain drops and shows the Polynesians boating to Hawai'i. The subsequent scenes are centered around different aspects of Hawaiian history, from pre-contact, to the touristy tiki luau influx, to modern beach & street culture. Overall, I think it's most comparable to the Cirque show Mad Apple, which has a New York City theme and plays in Las Vegas. I like the cohesive theme and the clear narrative throughout the performance. The costuming and live music make the show extra special. My favorite part was the woman who made sand painting art. Visited: February 2026

What a beautiful local theater! We were in Oahu for Spring Break and traveling with our theater…read moreteen so thought to check the listing and luckily there was a show: West Side Story and it fit into our schedule. Easy parking, clean rest rooms, no frills concession, and cute merch. I got the reusable cup too. People were so nice and friendly. We sat at the very back of the theater and enjoyed it. The actors were so talented and so glad we were able to see it. My teen also got autographs and the actors were so happy and willing to sign her playbill. A couple were surprised that they were being asked for an autograph. When in Hawaii, after enjoying the beach and watching the sunset, why not catch a musical produced well run by the local community and supported and loved by the community.

Love DHT! It's a very well kept theater and I appreciate the amount of programs they showcase each…read moreyear.

Came here when it was less crowded the seating area is big wide open with chairs, tables, and a…read moregreen luscious outdoor view. There were only a few vendors like maybe 4 trucks at the time we got a plate from a vendor called "Wasabi Express by Tiger" the white woman who most likely also works with the main chef randomly approached us recommends it for my partner and I says it's going to taste great it's made fresh daily,, said why not we came for a trip but honestly it was mid and this is why I don't listen to people but realistically I should've just dogged it in my opinion; understand it's Hawaii we are in a touristy spot, but too overpriced for something that tastes like yoshinoya meat and rice that tastes just like fried rice from a regular Chinese takeout

Went here with friends! The food selection and trucks they have is alright! I thought it would be…read morebigger and lots of trucks like OC night market in LA but i cant complain, the food is amazing! And love the drink i got from the truck strawberry pineapple flavor from tropics truck

Amazing show, so fun, great talent. Emcee, dancers, band and fire dancers…read more Ambiance is outside but on a rooftop. So if the weather does not cooperate, it could be dicey. We didn't get a few drops but not too bad. Food was ok, salads, sides were very good. The meats not so much. The only thing was really good was the barbecue pork. The kalua pork was dry and tasteless. The fish was inedible and so dry. No seasonings on the kalua pork. Desserts were ok, a pineapple cake, coconut pannacotta and mini Malasaga donuts. Mai tais were good, not a lot of liquor but good. You come for the show and was the best. See my pics.

My brother secured reservations for our family at the Hilton's Friday Fireworks Luau on the Great…read moreLawn ($249 each). Since my family was already staying at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, my husband and I trekked it over to their part of Waikiki. We had Golden Circle seating which was not VIP but we had 3 drink tickets each along with a welcome drink upon entering. We were seated with an okay view of the stage. It was warm and it was nice to be dining al fresco. They had live music and we were called up to the buffet table-by-table. The food was so-so but we found things to eat. There was Kahlua pork, roasted chicken, fish, salad, bread, etc. For the drink tickets, it's easier to go up to the bartender and order rather than wait for a server. Drinks that were available to us included: soft drinks, POG, beer, wine, and premixed cocktails. Needless to say, we did not use up our tickets but my husband tried and he even tried giving a few away. While dining, they started the show on the stage. The talented performers put on a great show and even my dad got in on the fun. Once the performance ended and the dining concluded, we were directed towards the lagoon where we would have a great view of the fireworks. The staff was on top of clearing plates and helping guests. The fireworks show lasted about 10 minutes or so but it was a lovely way to spend an evening with family.

OMG, I was expecting something less, something a bit cheesy, but this was quite entertaining. The…read moreperformers, the skits, the music, the audience interaction, all made for a wonderful show and a show enjoyed by everyone in the group. The bar? A bit slow. That did not factor into our enjoyment of the show.

I came to the Rock-a-Hula show as a first-timer to Hawaii to catch a show with my family. It offers…read morea lively, pre-packaged, easy-to-digest introduction to hula, Hawaiian culture, and local history--mixed with plenty of iconic pop-culture moments that Hawaii has embraced and celebrated over time. The experience is broken into a few different ticket options, and what you pay really affects what you get. Here's what to know before you go: 1. Ticket options & pricing You can choose between show-only tickets or a luau buffet paired with the show. Pricing varies quite a bit. I was able to snag a 2-for-1 show-only deal, which came out to about $43 per person, and I also saw a single-ticket promo for around $60. The luau + show packages run $100+ depending on whether you upgrade to VIP. The buffet is definitely better suited for non-vegetarians, but there are some meat-free options like tofu, sweet potatoes, chow mein, white rice, salad, and macaroni salad. The proteins (fish, chicken, and traditional roast pig) are toward the end of the buffet line. Drinks come with dinner and there are additional drink options sold separately inside the venue and usually run $5-$10 each depending on whether you get alcohol. 2. The venue & overall vibe This is a non-traditional show set in a large, comfortable amphitheater on the top floor of a shopping plaza. The show opens with a short historical video about the land and people of Hawaii set in 1920, which sets the timeline for the rest of the performance. From start to finish, the show runs about 1 hour and 10 minutes--just the right length in my opinion. 3. Show highlights The pacing starts off a bit slow with traditional hula dancers and singers, then really picks up steam once the show moves into the 1950s. The Elvis segment is the longest and most prominent, and honestly, the performer is impressively spot-on in both voice and movement, covering several of Elvis's biggest hits. From there, the show transitions into tributes to the Jackson 5 and Michael Jackson, his dance moves really get the audience excited with high-energy dance numbers. You'll also see nods to familiar cultural touchstones like Israel Kamakawiwoʻole's "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," Moana, and finally, a dramatic flaming poi performance honoring the fire goddess. The fire segment is exhilarating, though the shortest of the rest. Overall, the choreography, costumes, and singing are polished and visually exciting. There is also a photo opp with performers at the end. 4. Who this show is best for This is a fun, family-friendly production that's clearly designed with tourists in mind. It's polished, predictable, and easy to enjoy. If you're looking for a deeply authentic or immersive cultural experience, this won't fully scratch that itch--but it is entertaining. For seating, the middle section, center seats offer the best overall view. 5. Crowd levels & logistics When I went on a Monday night about a week before the December holidays, the theater was only about half full, so same-day tickets were still available. The entire experience is very easy to navigate from check-in to seating, and it's probably one of the more affordable luau/show options in Waikiki or Honolulu. Just make sure you have your vouchers ready when you arrive at the fourth-floor check-in. I'd recommend this show for families, groups with elderly relatives, or anyone who wants a low-effort, entertaining evening while visiting the island. It's a pleasant way to get a bit of history while singing along to familiar "greatest hits"--especially if you're an Elvis/MJ fan. If you're seeking a deeper cultural connection, though, you may leave feeling like something's missing--and wanting more.

I'm a bit torn on the star rating because there were definitely some highlights. The performers…read morewere truly wonderful--you can tell the musicians and hula dancers genuinely love what they do. One of my favorite parts was seeing the younger performers just starting out, confidently taking the stage and sharing what they've learned. It was incredibly heartwarming and added a special charm to the show. The reason I'm not rating it higher has more to do with the surrounding environment than the performance itself. Unfortunately, there was a disruptive presence in the spectator area that made it uncomfortable for our family, both in terms of the experience and the atmosphere. It might help to have staff or security do a quick sweep of the area before the show begins to ensure a more welcoming space for everyone attending. Overall, we really did enjoy the show and appreciate the effort that goes into organizing it. Thank you to everyone involved for putting together such a meaningful and entertaining experience.

Traditional showmanship from locals. Talented hula schools…read moreperforming for tourist crowds at an arms length. Spreading Aloha by story in music and movement

Just a slightly sweet escape from Waikiki without venturing too far and still get a touch of a…read morebeach view and the space to do any outdoorsy activity. Parking is literally next to impossible especially on the one way street there's very little room to double park without holding up the procession though there are many many street parking it's a matter of luck finding one. Prior to covid pandemic this enormous park did host many events and activity though the bandstand is a great place for entertainment as there are lots of seating which is quite nostalgic as it's been awhile personally since I've been here. Today was quite an adventure as we finally got to do an in-person Susan G Komen Race for the Cure, amazing event and the perfect location. Thank you!

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers- da case of da morphing listing and review…read more So on the MLK holiday we visit Kapiolani Park, specifically then Bandstand area to enjoy the festivities. Enjoyed some great tacos and enjoyed some cool music. It's while thinking of doing review that I discovered no listing for the Kapiolani Park Bandstand so's I decide, "why not?" So I researched the internet, found the address for the bandstand and decided to focus a review on the bandstand itself. After posting some pics, FTR review and a tip, I went to sleep happy knowing that my listing and review info. might be useful to my fellow Yeeps. So the next day I get a comment from a well respected reviewer and friend, Lyla D. who complimented me on my review but was wondering whether having it posted under a 2012 event listing that was listed as "CLOSED" was the best place to post it. Whaaa? My pics, review and tip had morphed into 2012 walk event listing and the bandstand listing was gone. Checking back on the info. I sent, I determined the address used for both my Bandstand listing and the 2012 event listing were the same. Guessing that the software may have found this and defaulted everything to the older listing. An email to Yelp and our Super Senior Community Director Emi did the trick and the correction was made in less than 24 hours of my request. Mahalos Emi! My recommendation? When proposing a new listing have the correct information listed, explained and referenced. I had sent a pic of a county listing showing that address for the bandstand in my email. So happy my review is now posted correctly under Kapiolani Park Bandstand listing. Whew! (Note: my original review about the bandstand itself is listed under this "updated" review and is listed as a "previous review".)

Last two visits...had a gander at the April and May exhibits from Sasha and Sienna. at ARS Cafe…read more Last week, I had a cortado...excellent.

Definitely a lot of tourists here really don't know if this is what I wanna be surrounded by. LOL…read more But the cafe is beautiful. I love the art gallery and it gets pretty busy here. It's almost like you're transported into a different world when you walk in. Definitely more subdued and darker lighting which I don't mind at all, makes it very relaxed. Service was great at recommending me what drink to get and when I got there it was swamped. Props to the baristas for being able to handle the huge rush of people in the morning because I was shook at how crowded it got. The lavender latte I got was perfect mix of sweetness and bitterness of the coffee. Barista recommended me hot latte so I'm glad he did. Really enjoyed it and will definitely be back. Hopefully when it's not too crazy. Lol

This exhibit is so cool, it was not only visual but also had many different textures, sounds,…read moresmells, areas, and different mediums of art. It is wonderful to see the amazing work of all powwow artists. When we went, there was no one else there so we got to take our time walking through and get some really good shots! If you're looking for something FREE to do in the Waikiki area, this is definitely a must see! It's not only got some wonderful installations but it's also air conditioned so it's great to cool down on hot days or find something to do indoors when raining! There's also a little gift shop (downstairs) that has some lovely handmade things for sale. Highly recommend stopping by this very cool spot and checking out all it has to offer!

Pretty amazing art exhibit from local artists located at Hyatt Hotel in Waikiki. We made an evening…read moreof it and ate at STIX then walked over to see the exhibit it was really cool and they have a great merch store on the bottom with unique local caps, shirts and sweat shirts. Kamaaina $20 and regular price $25 for the art exhibit. Very unique and creative, after purchasing tickets you can stop by anytime they are open for that day. No lines and not crowded. Good to support local artists. Check out their website to purchase tickets.