Aloha Kai Luau at Sea Life Park

Once you make your way through Sea Life Park and arrive at the event grounds you’ll be greeted with a lei and live Hawaiian music. There are several cultural activities to take part in and mini demonstrations to watch before dinner begins. These activities may vary, but often they include hula or ukulele lessons, hands-on crafts like headband weaving or lei making, and short demonstrations on coconut tree climbing or fire starting.

Activity time is brought to a close by the Imu Ceremony – the unearthing of the in-ground oven and the removal of the roasted pig that has been slow cooking all day long. The buffet will then open, with the main entrée being the roasted Kalua pork, accompanied by chicken and fish entrées, several sides and salads – including traditional dishes such as Poi and Lomi Lomi Salmon – and cake and coffee for dessert.

Drinks are available at the tiki bar. Aloha Kai serves a limited selection of alcoholic drinks, including Mai Tais, beer, and wine. Soft drinks, fruit punch, coffee, and hot tea are also available.

Seating is outdoors, uncovered, and usually at large banquet-style tables – so you will likely be seated with other people. The tables are located on a large grassy area and surround the stage. Guests with the Gold packages are seated closest to the stage, then silver, and then bronze.

The venue can serve between 350 people (during the shoulder season) to 650 (during the summer peak season and holidays). Even at its busiest, it is far from being the largest luau on Oahu, but when you go and what package you choose can still  impact your overall experience.  Guests with the gold package are admitted first, seated closest to the stage, and are first in line for the cultural activities, drinks, buffet, etc. If you are traveling to Hawaii during a busy time, it may be worth considering an upgraded package for this reason alone. 

Once dinner is underway, the luau show will begin. This is an award-winning Polynesian show, featuring dancers and performers representing the various Polynesian islands and their respective cultures. This talented group of performers will impress you with their grace, rhythm, and skill – and hopefully teach you a few things about Polynesian culture along the way. Each act is ushered in and out by the show’s comic MC and some luau guests will even get to show off their own hula skills during the show too. Of course, the highlight of any luau show is a thrilling fire-knife performance, and Aloha Kai’s fire-knife dancers will not disappoint! 

General admission to Sea Life Park is included with either the Silver or Gold packages. These package holders have the option to come back on another day to visit the park and/or explore the park before their luau. Sea Life Park is an aquarium and marine life park that focuses on education and conservation. The park has many shows, exhibits, and interactive programs that offer an opportunity to experience Hawaii’s marine life up-close: including sharks, dolphins, and sea lions. It’s a perfect excursion for families traveling with children or for adults interested in Hawaii’s marine life. The park is open daily from 10 am until 4 pm. 

Roundtrip transportation is available for an extra fee, which can easily be added to your reservation at check-out. There are two departure times available, the early departure will give you an extra two hours to explore the park before the luau begins (if you have reserved the silver or gold packages) and the later departure will drop you off closer to check-in time. If you choose the early departure, please keep in mind that there is a 30-minute gap between when the park closes at 4 pm and when the luau check-in begins at 4:30 pm and plan accordingly.

If you drive yourself to the park there is onsite parking available for a $10/day fee. 

Taxis, Ubers, and Lyfts are not recommended as it is very difficult to find a ride back to Waikiki after 8 pm.