Te Au Moana Luau

The basics

Te Au Moana Luau’s traditional dinner service includes a 3-course menu featuring poke, lomi-lomi salmon, poi, potato mac salad, and—of course—pork roasted on-site in a traditional imu (underground oven). Meals are served family-style, so you might be seated at a table with people you don’t know, which only adds to the atmosphere. While you dine, you’ll be treated to songs and dances that recount ancestral tales from the islands and you might even witness a fire knife dance.

Things to know before you go

• Free self-parking is available and valet parking is available for a fee.

• You’ll get your table assignment and check-in time by text message.

• While billed as a three-course meal, each course consists of multiple dishes so be prepared for a lot of food. Many of the sides are suitable for vegetarians.

• Children under 5 can attend free of charge, and there’s a discounted rate for kids aged 6-12.

How to get there

The luau is on the grounds of Wailea Beach Resort on the southwestern coast of Maui. It takes about half an hour to reach the resort by car from Kahului or 15 minutes from Kihei. You can also take the local bus (number 10 stops a quick walk from the hotel), but the journey by public transportation takes twice as long.

When to get there

The luau runs every day of the week except Sundays and Wednesdays. Because it attracts a lot of vacationers, weeknights can be just as busy as weekend evenings. Coming during the full moon can add a touch of magic to the experience.

Hawaiian words worth learning

Although English is the main language used in Hawaii today, many Hawaiian words have made their way into the local dialect. Mahalo is an important one (it means thank you), while aloha is used as a greeting, but also has a deeper meaning that encompasses sentiments of love, compassion, and empathy. Keiki is the Hawaiian word for “children,” frequently used to denote children’s prices for tickets at popular attractions.