Choosing the Best Maui Luau: The Top 2 are on Kaanapali Beach

What is the best Maui luau?

There are few places in Hawai‘i more gorgeous than Ka‘anapali Beach. For centuries before visitors to Hawai‘i discovered it, Ka‘anapali was an ocean retreat for Hawaiian royalty. Today, it’s a magnet for ocean lovers and those seeking glitz and glamor while on vacation. Ka‘anapali also hosts the best Maui luaus!

My two favorites are Maui Nui Luau and Myths of Maui Luau. Here’s a comparison of both luaus, but you won’t lose out no matter which luau you choose. They’re both great choices that will give you an evening of memories and a cultural taste of Hawai‘i that you won’t forget. I’ll compare both luaus on the following features to help you decide which of the best Maui luaus you’ll attend:

• Setting

• Pre-Dinner Activities

• Food and Drink

• Entertainment

• Amenities

• Tips You’ll Want to Know

• Parking

• Price

SETTING

Maui Nui: The Maui Sheraton Resort was built on ancient lava flows right beside Maui’s premier diving spot, Black Rock, traditionally known as Pu‘u Keka‘a. The Sheraton hosts the luau on its grassy lawn right by the beach. You’ll be able to look across the Pailolo Channel separating Maui and Moloka‘i and see three islands – Moloka‘i, Lāna‘i, and Kaho‘olawe.

Myths of Maui: The Royal Lahaina Resort is nestled on twenty-seven verdant acres of prime Ka‘anapali Beach property. It’s hard to beat this oceanfront setting where you can catch the final rays of a spectacular sunset and enjoy the panoramic backdrop of the Pacific Ocean.

PRE-DINNER ACTIVITIES

Maui Nui: When you arrive at the luau, you’ll receive a flower lei greeting (subject to the availability of fresh flowers), and throughout the cocktail hour, you’ll be listening to live Hawaiian music. The emcee for the evening will inject some humor and will introduce several short cultural demonstrations where you can learn how to husk a coconut and get a brief hula lesson.

At sunset, depending on weather and ocean conditions, you’ll witness a special Cliff Diving Ceremony from the top of Black Roc,k where ancient Hawaiians believed that souls would leap into the spirit world. Just before dinner, the slow-roasted kalua pig is uncovered and taken out of an underground oven in an imu ceremony.

Myths of Maui: All guests receive a shell lei greeting upon arrival. Life can’t get better than relaxing to live Hawaiian music with the Pacific Ocean in front of you and a complimentary tropical drink to enjoy. If you want to join in the fun, there’s a group hula lesson. Right before dinner service starts, get your camera ready because they’ll be removing the slow-roasted kalua pig from the Hawaiian in-ground oven in the imu ceremony.

FOOD AND DRINK

Maui Nui: This luau gets good reviews on their food. The luau spread is an all-you-can-eat buffet and an all-you-can-drink open bar. Your non-alcoholic options are soft drinks, island-style fruit punch, coffee, and tea. Alcoholic choices are an assortment of distilled spirits, beer, and wine.

The buffet line process moves pretty quickly, and the variety of dishes makes for an interesting plate that you can put together for yourself. The tables seat about 10 people, and there are 50 or more tables. Their dishes are labeled for those who have food allergies. The full buffet menu is below.

Maui Nui Menu (subject to change)

STARTERS

• Lomi Lomi Salmon

• Hawaiian-Style Ahi Poke

• Potato Macaroni Salad

• Kula Mixed Greens Salad

• Pohole Fern Salad

• Cucumber Namasu

• Li Hing Mui Pineapple

ENTREES

• Kalua Pua’a (slow-roasted pork)

• Grilled Teriyaki Beef

• Steamed Island Fish

• P.O.G. Barbequed Chicken

SIDES

• Poi

• Local-Style Fried Rice

• Vegetable Chow Mein

• Moloka’i Sweet Potatoes

• Hawaiian Sweet Rolls

DESSERTS

• Ube Cheesecake

• Chocolate Haupia Bars

• Mochi

• Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Myths of Maui: This luau is also an all-you-can-eat buffet with an all-you-can-drink open bar. The menu reflects the diverse cuisine of Hawai‘i and its cultures. The full-service bar serves a variety of tropical drinks along with a limited selection of beer, wine, and non-alcoholic drinks.

Myths of Maui is the only Maui luau that features keiki-friendly (child-friendly) dishes such as Chicken Nuggets and their special Mac and Cheese. Many of their dishes are gluten-free, vegetarian, or vegan. Their Moloka‘i Sweet Potatoes and Haupia desserts get good reviews. The full buffet menu is below.

Myths of Maui Menu (subject to change)

STARTERS

• Up Country Kula Greens

• Fresh Pounded Poi

• Lomi Lomi

• Hawaiian Ala’e Salmon

• Sweet Savory Local Cucumber Namasu

• Hawaiian Sweet Bread Rolls

• Maui Gold Pineapple

ENTREES

• Huli Huli Succulent Teriyaki Chicken

• Kiawe Pua’a Imu Roasted Pork

• Seasoned Soy Fresh Catch

• Golden Crispy Battered Chicken Nuggets

SIDES

• Wok Stir Fry Vegetables

• Moloka‘i Purple Sweet Potato with Toasted Coconut Flakes

• Umami Furikake Rice

• Classic Baked Macaroni and Special Cheese Blend

DESSERTS

• Niu Coconut Decadent Cake

• Traditional Haupia Light Bites – GF/Vegan/Vegetarian

• Lava Chocolate Cake

ENTERTAINMENT

I’ve been to a LOT of luau’s over the years, and the entertainment has become so professional and culturally accurate that it’s very difficult to name the best Maui luau based only on the show. Visiting Hawai‘i, you’re at the source of Hawaiian and Polynesian culture.

Maui Nui: Their performances take you on a journey through the Polynesian islands and end with a thrilling siva afi or Samoan fire knife dance. The costumes and quality of performers are stunning.

Myths of Maui: This luau is the longest-running luau on the island of Maui, so they have a lot of years of experience sharing Polynesian song and dance. This show takes you on a journey through Polynesia, but they weave the legends and myths of the islands into the show’s narrative, which gives it a little more character. The finale is also a Samoan fire knife dance, which is always an audience favorite. There are two stages, so everyone can see the dancers regardless of seating.

AMENITIES

Just like all of the best Maui luau, you’ll find a professional photographer at both Maui Nui and Myths of Maui. You can have your photo taken and can choose whether to buy it or not. It’s always nice to have a formal photo taken at events like these. Looking at them when you get home brings back all the fun memories of the evening.

THE BEST MAUI LUAU TIPS YOU’LL WANT TO KNOW

Since both Maui Nui and Myths of Maui are in Kaanapali, these tips apply to both luaus:

• Tropical showers are part of life on Maui. The show may continue if the rain is light or passing. It’s a good idea to check the weather forecast for Kaanapali and bring rain protection if needed.
• When you first arrive at the luau, you may be sitting outside in the hot sun until the venue opens and the sun begins to cool down. I suggest that you take a hand fan, a hat, and sunglasses, and be sure to wear sunscreen.
• As hot as it seems in the afternoon, it often gets cooler at night with breezes off the ocean, so bring a sweater or light jacket.

PARKING

Maui Nui: Self-parking in the parking structure is available. The cost is $2 after validation; bring your parking ticket to the luau to be stamped for this special rate. Valet parking is also available for $5 with validation.

Myths of Maui: The price of onsite parking is $10 per vehicle, and you can prepay for parking when you make your reservation. If you don’t prepay, bring cash because it’s a cash-only lot.

PRICE

Maui Nui: This luau breaks up their prices by age, with children 5 and under FREE.

• Adult (13+ years) $ 209.00

• Child (6-12 years) $120.00

• Lap Child (0-5 years) $0.00

Standard Seating: Includes lei, open bar, buffet dinner, luau show, and general seating.

VIP Experience: Includes the above but with guaranteed seats in the first or second row, and first in line at the luau buffet.

Note: There is a 24-hour cancellation policy. If you need to cancel your reservation, please do so 24 hours before your scheduled luau day to avoid cancellation penalties.

Myths of Maui:

• General Seating $185.00

• VIP Seating $235.00

General Seating: Includes lei, open bar, buffet dinner, luau show, and seats in the general admission area.

VIP Seating: Includes lei, open bar, buffet dinner, luau show, and seats in the VIP section closest to the stage.

Note: Cancellations made after 5:00 pm Hawai‘i time, one business day before the activity, will be charged 100% of the total luau amount that was reserved.

Click here to make reservations at Maui Nui Luau.

Click here to make reservations at Myths of Maui Luau.

Not staying in Ka’anapali Beach? Check out the best Maui luau in Wailea Beach and the best Maui luau in Kihei.

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