The Big Kahuna Luau

I just came back from my vacation in Waikiki and this luau was definitely one of the best parts of my trip. I purchased the groupon for the VIP Admission and it was sooooo worth! They came to pick us up at our hotel promptly at 5 pm. Shoot out to Cousin Maya! (I hope I spelled your name right). He definitely made my boyfriend and I as well as the other people in our group feel like his Ohana. He was our guide/​driver for the night and gave some us some excellent advice on things to check out while on the island. The groupon came with dinner and five drinks which was more than enough. The food was good, I loved the Jasmine rice. The show was great and since we were VIP we sat right in front. My boyfriend was even selected to dance on stage which I definitely enjoyed :).
I recommended this luau to co-​workers who were staying at the same hotel as us. They went to the Luau on Sunday night and agreed it was a good time.
I would highly recommend this luau if you are visiting Waikiki and the VIP groupon is definitely worth the price.

First off, if you have the Oahu go card, you are better off choosing one of the other luaus, if you want the full luau experience. Explanation: the cocktail package only comes with round trip transport, Mai tai greeting, a drink ticket and the last 45 minute of the show. (FYI: you will be seated in the back and will be entering with a dinning area full of people) This package does not come with food, lei nor the imu ceremony. The website doesn’t do the greatest at explaining this nor does the Oahu go card info pack.
My experience: The group of five strangers including myself were all unaware of what exactly the cocktail package included the staff member explained that we weren’t the only ones that misunderstood since it was a new thing they offered. Which seemed pretty accurate since the staff members were a little thrown off by our presence. The group received an half ass tour of the historic property on the site prior to be seated but not sure if that’s included or if the staff were trying to stall. Due to the confusion they gave us access to the buffet. All in all: The food was good, the show was nice, the singers had great voices and the fire dancer was amazing. 3 ½ stars

The staff were friendly and the food was just ok. The show was nice. The location was neat and the bus driver very friendly. All in all I think 150 per person was a bit steep and I didn’t really see the value in it. Worth checking out if your into that sort of thing I suppose. Just not for me.

A group of nine of us attended the Big Kahuna Luau during a family trip to Oahu over the Christmas holiday.
There were 9 in our group including several who had never been to a luau or to Hawaii so when I planned our visit I did a lot of research. My wife and I had attended two luaus prior but both on Maui so this was also our first on Oahu.
I chose Big Kahuna for a few reasons:
1. I though their menu looked a little bit better online
2. The venue-​in a rain forest high above (and away from the tacky touristy stretches of Waikiki
3. Positive reviews from others
While the luau experience was similar to others I’ve attended, this one felt a little nicer in a couple of ways:
1. They picked us up and brought us back to our hotel (as a part of the VIP package), so no drinking and driving
2. Food overall was a bit better with tasty chicken, Kailua pork and Hawaiian fish in addition to rice, salad and rolls.
3. Seating seemed a little less cramped
4. Stage for the show was easy to see-​also well lit with good sound
5. Attractive dancers
6. Covered venue so no weather issues
7. Some fun fresh activities prior to the luau-​low key ukulele lesson, palm frond headband weaving, and body (paint)tattoos along with a chance to take a hula class.
8. Also liked that they DID NOT HAVE the typical «Hawaiian flea market» of «local artisans» selling a bunch of tacky tourist items that we’ve experienced previously at other luaus.
As always a couple of areas to adjust
1. Buffet dessert was weird –cake with a coconut custard on top
2. Missing the classic Hawaiian sweet dinner rolls
3. Need a bit better floor in a few spots that had gotten a little muddy
All in all this is a first class luau experience in a unique venue.
Recommended.

This is a great luau with a beautiful view of Waikiki and Diamond Head. The drive up the mountain (Mountain of the Rolling Sweet Potato) is fun, especially with a great «Ambassador of Aloha» like Elaina and fun bus driver like August! Those two were great and made the ride funny and enjoyable both up and down hill!!! I’ve gone to this luau twice and I had two different experiences thanks to the weather.
The first time the evening was clear skies, the food and show was amazing, and the events before dinner were fun.
The second time I went the weather was rainy and windy, so we were cold. It is a relatively new luau, so they have some growing to do… and by that I mean their back up plan, because the saving grace for the evening was having a large tent over the dining area. The food and show was still amazing, the pork is just the best! Much better food at Big Kahuna than Paradise Cove. But the ground is all dirt so my feet and the feet of everyone else wearing «slippers» or sandals were muddy from the rain, and the events before dinner seemed like a chaotic mess trying to be shushed under one tent where the ground is all mud.
We still had a great time and I’d continue to take my visiting family and friends to this luau.

My wife and went to our first luau last night and the Big Kahuna Luau was a great experience. From the time we were picked up by our driver Jen and our ambassador Alani were great they took time to explain some of the site around Honolulu as we traveled to the Luau. We also stopped for a great picture Honolulu and the horizon both before and after the Luau. The view was breathe taking. Then once we were at the Luau there was music and events showing guests how to make flower bracelets, how to hula, and make head fractional male headbands. The food was a great opportunity to experience local cuisine offering fish, pork bbq, chicken, rice, local greens and Hawaiian sweet potatoes. The show after supper was great. The dancers are very talented and it shows that they put a lot of work into their performances. I would highly recommend attending this luau if you are ever on Oahu. #BigKahunaluau

My husband and I just returned from the luau and would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Honolulu. It was about a 30 min trip which is much closer than the others and the views are worth the ride. Our «cousins» driver Jen and Ambassador Elaina were entertaining, accommodating and truly helped us understand the history and spirit of aloha.
The estate that the luau is hosted on is historic and the grounds are worth the price of admission. We thought they offered fun traditional experiences for all ages. Drinks were easy to get and lines not too long. One of the bonuses is that they limit the crowd to 200 per night which makes the touristy excursion doable for people like us that don’t like crowds.
We did the VIP which got us faster service and closer seats. I’d recommend them, but it’s not necessary. As it’s not too large so not that much more of a wait, if you don’t want to spend the money.
The food was very fresh and very tasty. We are adventurous eaters so the local purple sweet potatoes were high on our favorites!
The entertainment was amazing ! History, costume changes, live music, audience participation and very very talented performers made the night everything we’d hoped for and more. There’s even fire performances ! We were so impressed.
When we return we will most definitely come back to experience it again (and hopefully they won’t pick me to dance in the finally again! — but if invade they do I’ll practice my dance moves I learned)
Highly recommend, for the money, the proximity to downtown, the views, the people, the talent and the history. The Big Kahuna Luau is a must do on your Hawaiian bucket list !!

Amazing experience! Lovely food, fabulous ppl n awesome show put up… Special mention — Elina or cousin E! She was so cool n helpful!!!

This, for sure, was one of the nicest luau’s I’ve been to. The location is beautiful, food was nice and the show was memorable. The pre-​luau events were a bit disorganized, but that didn’t have a negative impact. I would have liked to have been able to drive myself to this luau, as the bus ride was a bit annoying, but the location doesn’t lend itself to having a large parking area.

I came on a Tuesday and thought that this luau was just okay. I wish I could have given it a 2.5.
1) When I was picked up at the hotel, I noticed on my confirmation that I was charged $ 99.99 per person. I found this to be deceptive as I was looking on the screen at a $ 89.99 price tag for the «Standard» ticket and confirmed with the person on the phone that this was indeed the cost, then came to find out that I was charged $ 10 more per person!!! I looked today on the site and they must have JUST added the cocktail option for $ 89.99 (this was most certainly not there when I booked this luau).
2) When we entered the luau we were greeted with a Mai Tai and a shell lei as promised which was nice. However, I really wanted to make a flower lei (they advertise lei making as an activity prior to the food and show). It was really disappointing because I was told I could only make a bracelet, since they didn’t have enough flowers. Seriously? Don’t advertise if you cannot supply the materials.
3) The pig was very tasty but each person only got one bite. I wished that they would have more than one for the amount that everyone paid to see the show and serve that buffet style instead of the pork that was on the buffet line (the buffet pork was just okay flavor wise, I found it to be a little dry).
4) The buffet: I think the rice was the best part since it did have flavor. It could be I’m not accustomed to the authentic Hawaiian ways of cooking but the potato was literally just a boiled potato and the chicken was dry. The bread that was served on the table was also cold. I wish they kept the steamers hot and brought them out after we got the buffet food.
5) The luau show itself however was entertaining. My favorite part was the fire dance at the end performed by a 9 year old child!
All in all, for my first time in Hawaii I had an okay time. Hopefully this luau will make some improvements and be more transparent with their pricing.
**To Note: I just took a look a their website packages again and they changed what is included as well. When I brought the standard package, it came with two drink tickets and now it only comes with one. The welcome Mai Tai counted as one drink when I went and we got one with our ticket to account for the second. The drinks of choice were either another Mai Tai or a Blue Hawaii… all others are a separate charge.

Love love love this luau. I’ve been to many Luau s so far and me and my daughters are tahitian dancers and I’ve never seen a better performance. Beautiful location, authentic set up, well organized ask the staff were so friendly. Food could improve though

Have nothing to compare it to but it was a great experience and very entertaining. Professionally done, all around a good experience. The fact that it wasn’t in a hotel or rooftop downtown made it a little more authentic? Albeit there is nothing authentic about a luau! They went above and beyond to make sure you enjoy yourself and have the best luau on the island. Give it a shot if you are interested in a luau — I think you will enjoy the short trip up the mountain and the lush grounds.

We ended our honeymoon with this luau. And I would HIGHLY recommend it! It’s really small (well compared to 800+ people. No thank you!) and it’s different. But good different. Instead of being on the beach your in the rain forest looking out at Honolulu. As soon as you get off the bus your greeted with ALOHA and a lei and walk down a little further and you get a screaming Mai tai (which is AMAZING!) from what I heard one of the luaus does not serve alcohol. This one DOES. You can get a coconut filled with alcohol or a pineapple even! The food was AMAZINGLY and the show was even better! It was a perfect ending to a perfect honeymoon week. Oh and our driver and guide Patti and Royal were the best! They kept the bus laughing and talking and made everyone feel welcome :)

We only had one night left in Hawaii so we decided we would have to try a luau! This was awesome! Ask for the singing tour guide if you can get him, he was great!
They were all out of Seats on the bus and we booked kind of last minute but they made it work anyway, sending a personal driver to pick us up from our hotel! Upon entry they give you a mai tai and appetizers! There are fun activities before dinner.
The roasted pig was AMAZING! They cut it right in front of you, right off the fire! The food is great the show is great! Would highly recommend all around!!! Also not a lot of kids running around which is an upside for couples trying to celebrate a special event or just wanting a more intimate luau fee! Last but not least AMAZING views!

We were in Hawaii for the first time, and decided on this luau, mainly because of the location. It was advertised to us as being in a rain forest and indeed that is what it felt like. The location is super beautiful, green, manicured, and lush. Really a top notch location for a luau. The appetizers before the show were very nice, as were the teaching of hula and other Hawaiian activities.
The absolute BEST pig I have ever tried was the succulent pig they pulled out of the roasting pit, and cut into generous chunks in front of us. The skin was insane, I don’t think I have ever tried anything so delicious! My only regret is that I did not go back for seconds (or thirds)! For some reason I thought this was the pork we’d be eating at the luau. But I was sooooo disappointed. The pork they serve during the luau is that pulled shredded stuff you can find anywhere (which I kind of don’t like).
The show itself was wonderful. Great mature band of singers that sounded fantastic. The hula girls and boys were gorgeous! Total eye candy! LOL
The food buffet… well, If that had been as good as everything else, I would definitely have given this luau 5 stars. But really, I was expecting much better. Don’t get me wrong, it was edible, but edible is not what I was looking forward to. It was basic, not too many choices, and again, disappointing shredded pork and not sliced pork of that wonderful luau roast which would have made the evening divine!

Big Kahuna Luau, owned and operated by Discovering Hidden Hawaii Tours aka Discover Hawaii Tours, is held at Round Top Drive near Tantalus lookout at the beautiful and spacious Honolulu Ridge Estate. It overlooks Honolulu with breathtaking sunset views and later in the evening, the twinkling glow of Honolulu City lights.
Born and raised in Hawaii (from Kona, and having lived in Honolulu for over 15 years), I have been to many luaus. While each has their own charm, Big Kahuna Luau (though I don’t care for the name) is one of the best I’ve experienced. It represents the history of Hawaii hula and gives you a nice glimpse across various Polynesian cultures.
More than that, it is one of the few, that prior to the main program offers interactive Hawaiian culture «stations» where guests can pick and choose at their leisure to learn to play the ukulele, make a small flower lei, a coconut leaf braided haku, or experiment with traditional Hawaiian instruments.
The main dinner buffet is great with a mix of traditional luau favorites like shredded kalua pig and lomi lomi salmon but with a Pan-​Pacific Regional contemporary flair — think delicious Jasmine Rice with coconut milk and ginger, as well as fresh Mahi Mahi with a creamy, savory cream, cilantro sauce. A little dissapointed they didnt have poi (as it would’ve gone great with the lomi lomi salmon!), BUT (and this is a BIG but!), they actually let you try the roast pig pipikaula fresh from the imu! They actually roast the pig in the underground oven for 18 hours or so… when ready, the staff slice off delicious, succulent, fresh and tender roasted pork, along with the crispiest pork skin (cracklins). Super ono! And they cut and will give you as much as you want to sample, as long as it lasts. Little do people and tourists know that majority if not all luaus may have the spectacle of a pig removed from an imu, but that is NOT the pork you eat at the luau buffet… it’s just for show… but at Big Kahuna Luau, that’s one of the various pupu they provide prior to the main meal and show.
The main show is energetic, funny, and beautiful — with a coconut husking display, majority polynesian dancing, haka, and lots of hula, not to mention the obligatory fire knife display. All excellent, talented dancers — beautiful, strong, agile, with plenty of aloha. One of the better hula programs around truly…
All in all a wonderful experience! Take it from a kama’aina. I recommend it highly.

First, Keith our driver/​guide was amazing! Thanks for your insight and amazing stories. I would still hate to have met you on the football field– Go BYU!
As for the luau, it is amazing with a beautiful setting up in the mountains on a former plantation. Once you arrive you are pampered and introduced to classes from ukulele, making your own leaf head dress and dancing. The food was amazing, very delicious with more than enough for the biggest appetites. The show also was very good with great showmanship and athleticism. This was my first trip to Hawaii and first exposure to a luau and I was so impressed with the culture and history. The sun setting and city lights from the mountain was breathtaking. All the staff was very friendly and worked hard to ensure all the guests were having an great experience. Thank you for a beautiful night for my wife and I.

We had a great time last night doing the tourist-​y thing, a luau. It was wonderful evening all around. Our driver, John on bus 5, was very entertaining and informative. It was nice getting up to the event first. We were able to experience all the crafts before the other groups came.
The food was also delicious. I’ve never had taro mashed up like that before. I also enjoyed the fact that you could go up for more food, and they didn’t limit you. Thank you for a wonderful experience. It made it feel like home!

I’ve lived in Hawaii for 25 years now and have a regular stream of mainland visitors come stay with me. So I’ve been to thousands of these shows over the years. I’ve been to Ko’olina, Polynesian Cultural Center, Royal Hawaiian. all of them and more times than I can remember. I usually leave feeling a little disappointed for some reason. Either the food is sub par, I didn’t get enough to drink, the entertainment a little cheesy, the venue was a little too commercial.
But the Big Kahuna Luau gets my gold metal. It was really the first time that I felt that I got my monies worth at one of these shows. The second I walked into this amazing venue carved out of the rainforest, I was greeted by Akone the host (this guy has aloha coming out of his ears), given a tai mai (a screaming mai tai. lol), and escorted to a view of the entire west side the island. Before I could get the mai tai down, I was treated to an interesting history of this historic mac nut plantation and was served a gourmet mango shrimp pupu on a platter by a beautiful Hawaii girl! Yes, while the sun set in the distance, they didn’t just herd us around like cattle, they gave everyone free run of almost two acres of beautiful groomed lawn on this incredible property.
They had the traditional lei making, hula instructions and so on but if you wanted to. you could go find a nice quiet place and chill out. I really appreciated that. Then the FOOD. Ah. the FOOD was off the hook. Kailua Pig, mahimahi, or chicken or all of them. Cocktail service at a luau. are you kidding me? Great show, top notch performers and a BIG smile on my face. Thanks Big Kahuna. I’m never going on another 3 hour bus trip to the north shore again!

My husband and I went on a Friday night to The Big Kahuna Luau. The view on the drive up was amazing. Once there we were greeted with «Screaming Mai Tais» and small bites of coconut shrimp and goat cheese with pork. The sunset over the city was spectacular. Once we were escorted to our seats we were able to be the first table called to the buffet. After dinner the amazing show began.
Pros: view, friendly staff, OPEN BAR (we each had like 6 drinks each), food was very very tasty
Cons: Ladies DON’T wear heels– the floor is unpaved and in an incline — I made the mistake of wearing wedges :(. We paid extra to be in the first row and found that it was unnecessary since the place is rather small compared to other lauas we heard of. Everyone has open bar and every table has a great view.
We will definitely recommend this place to others.