The Best Luau in Maui ~ The ‘Aha’aina Wailea Luau, at Grand Wailea Resort

Nothing says “Welcome to Maui” quite like attending a luau at the Grand Wailea Resort. My husband and I first attended in 2012, and quickly realized we’d found the best luau on Maui.  We traveled as a couple on that occasion and after our experience, we knew that one day we would like to bring our children to a luau at the Grand Wailea as well.  

A huge thank you to the Grand Wailea for hosting my party of six at the ‘Aha’aina Wailea, A Grand Wailea Luau.

Our family was thrilled to be able to attend the ‘Aha’aina Wailea Luau on our recent trip to Maui. We are so excited to share with you why we feel this is not only the best luau on Maui, but also one that is very family-friendly.

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Attending our first Grand Wailea Luau ~ 2012 (before smart phones, lol)

So Much to Love

We were impressed right away with the amount of venue space provided for luau guests. The dining tables, buffet area, drink bar and lawn activities were all comfortably situated on the Chapel Lawn, and despite the amount of people attending, we didn’t feel overcrowded.

The consideration given to guests’ comfort is visible throughout the evening, and although we were not staying at the resort when we attended the luau, we never once felt anything less than extremely valued guests. 

Get into the Aloha Spirit and check out our lists of Over 50 Amazing Resources For Kids, All About Hawai’i and Over 30 Incredible Ocean Themed Books, Games and Resources.

We also loved the variety of pre-show activities offered and being able to walk around and explore the Chapel Lawn, tropical flower beds and fountains on the property (hands-on fun, space and freedom to roam… huge for kids!).

We’ve got so much to share with you about our evening at the ‘Aha’aina Wailea Luau and why we think this is the best luau on Maui and a perfect fit for families. Let’s get started!

Welcome to the Grand Wailea Resort

We couldn’t resist arriving to the Grand Wailea just a little earlier than the luau was scheduled to begin. Having been to the resort before, we knew how stunning the property is and wanted to admire its grandeur before the luau seating began.

Valet parking is available (complimentary) for luau guests and we took advantage of not having to worry about where to put the car.

Main entrance and valet parking pavilion.

As soon as you step foot through the main entrance, you are met with simple elegance at its finest. Although everything is absolutely magnificent, nothing feels overdone or heavy.

The hallways to get to the luau are all open-air and there is a light, breezy feel throughout the entire resort. So much natural sunlight!

Just steps inside the main entrance.

There are stunning floral arrangements and Hawaiian inspired sculptures to admire along the way.

Be sure to stop and smell the flowers.

In the center of the resort, you’ll pass the Botero Lounge. It is surrounded by shallow pools of water dotted with statues and various canoes filled with tropical plants. The painted ceiling of the lounge is spectacular!

Botero Lounge.

Hawaiian Culture Honored

We enjoyed looking at all of the colorful artwork, tropical details and various aspects of Hawaiian culture, which are so beautifully displayed.

Enormous painting near the elevators we took to luau.

If you are lucky enough to be staying at the Grand Wailea, you can visit the Pālaha Hawaiian Cultural Center, to learn more about Hawaiian culture. It recently opened (February, 2020) and features artifacts, unique artwork, cultural tours and hands-on classes such as lei making and ukulele lessons. It sounds pretty incredible to me!

Hula under the palm trees.

After walking through the halls of the Grand Wailea, we were certainly ready to learn more about Hawaii, its history and people at the ‘Aha’aina Wailea Luau.

Lei of the Land

The ‘Aha’aina Wailea Luau takes place on the gorgeous Chapel Lawn, just steps from the Pacific Ocean. Stone walkways lead you through tropical flower beds, full of vibrant, exotic plants as you make your way to the seating area.

Luau location is directly behind Chapel.

Guest check-in for the luau was easy to find and we were welcomed with a shell lei greeting and a brief photo-op with cast members, overlooking the ocean.

The photos taken are available for purchase and once a digital copy is ready to review, a staff member will bring it to your table just before dinner is served (we actually did buy ours… thankfully, nobody was blinking and the picture quality was great).

Luau seating, ready for guests.

Located close to the luau entrance is the buffet area, Imu oven and drinks bar (hosted). You’ll have your choice of a variety of mixed drinks including Pina Coladas (yes please!) and Mai Tais, or beer, wine and assorted soft drinks. There is also plenty of ice-water and juices for kids.

Imu oven with Kālua Pig buried. (Buffet tables in background)

The dessert table is situated close to the stage, and the view of the Chapel when getting your treats is, well… pretty sweet!

Chapel overlooking the dessert and water tables.

I don’t know if it was the stunning stained glass or the tasty, tropical desserts that had me lingering for so long in this area! Either way… you’ll definitely want to know where this table is located!

While You Wait

One of the many reasons we love the ‘Aha’Aina Wailea luau is the amount of pre-show activites offered. Guests can enjoy a variety of cultural activities such as traditional games, Hawaiian inspired tattoos, and crafts from local artists.

We really enjoyed playing Ulu Maika, an ancient Hawaiian game, similar to bowling. It’s a lot trickier than it looks to roll the stone disc between the two posts on the opposite end!

Playing Ulu Maika on the Chapel Lawn.

After playing a few rounds of Ulu Maika, we explored the gorgeous, Chapel Lawn… something I highly recommend doing! The area is surrounded by bright tropical plants, towering gazebos, stone statues, breathtaking views, a pond and even a waterfall. There are so many exciting things to see!

View, overlooking the luau.

As you may know, my kids love animals and it didn’t take them long to discover the Koi fish swimming in the pond below the Chapel. Honestly, they could’ve sat there for hours just watching them swim. It was so nice to be able to connect with nature and truly relax to soak in our surroundings.

Fish watching at the Grand Wailea.

Koi weren’t the only creature that captured my kids’ attention either. Throughout the gardens, dozens of adorable little lizards darted across the paths and into plants.

We enjoyed playing “Hide-and-Seek” with these quick cuties as they scurried about in paradise. Even my teenager could’t resist trying to sneak up on them!

“Peek-a-boo!”

As a mom, I know how difficult it can be for kids to sit still, especially when anxiously awaiting the start of a luau on Maui! I cannot stress enough just how wonderful it was to have such a variety of pre-show activities and plenty of outdoor space to explore while we waited.

Let’s Eat!

Just before dinner is served, there is a ceremony to unearth a Kālua Pig from a Hawaiian underground oven, known as an Imu. The pork is cooked for hours in the pit and when unearthed, the meat falls right off the bone. It smells- and tastes- amazing!

Kālua Pig after being unearthed.

In addition to the Kālua pork, the luau menu offers a variety of entrées such as Maui Paniolo Grilled Flank Steak (very tender), Roasted Mahi-Mahi, and Island Fried Rice, featuring fresh, local veggies.

There are plenty of side options to try, which include a Maui grown salad bar, Potato Mac Salad, Cucumber Namasu (loved this!), Lomi-Lomi Salmon and a Green Papaya Salad.

One of the things we really love about the Grand Wailea is that 72% of the produce they use actually comes from local Hawaiian farms. We appreciate their efforts to support local farmers and to use the freshest ingredients possible.

A variety of fresh salads.

Don’t leave the buffet without getting a bit of fresh Poi to try. Poi is a traditional Hawaiian food, made using the roots of the Taro plant. It has a very earthy taste and is similar in texture to a thick gravy. It’s a must-try Hawaiian dish!

“Can you spot the purple Poi?”

After You’ve Finished Your Feast

Remember that dessert table I mentioned earlier?!

While you’re enjoying the live music and finishing your main course, the staff is busy putting out the desserts. There are plenty to choose from, including Guava Mousse, Coconut Cake, Pineapple Upside-Down Cake, Chocolate Fudge Brownies and Traditional Hawaiian Haupia (pictured clockwise below).

My favorite was the pink Guava Mousse (top center).

After we’d finished eating, we couldn’t resist heading over to the shoreline to enjoy the breathtaking Maui sunset.

Maui knows how to do a sunset!

Before heading back to our table, we stopped by the Bistro Molokini to use the restroom (don’t worry, there is a point in your knowing that… keep reading!).

Sunset view from the fountain in the Reflection Pool.

I’d recommend using the restroom before the hula show begins (especially if you have kids), as they’re located inside the Bistro Molokini, a short walk from the Chapel Lawn. You definitely won’t want to miss a minute of the traditional chant and hula.

Hula Vibes at the Best Luau on Maui

Just prior to the ‘Aha’aina Wailea luau beginning, guests have the opportunity to go on stage to test their own dance skills. My daughter loved this!

Members of the cast lead a hula lesson, to live music (and laughter), and the students do their very best to keep up. It is certainly not as easy as they make it look!

A hula spin!

Following the hula lesson, the ‘Aha’aina Wailea luau begins with a dramatic opening. The energy of the dancers is palpable and the skirts and headdresses are alive with color. If it hadn’t hit you yet, that you were in Hawaii, it certainly will now!

The best luau on Maui!

Each dance shares a part of Hawaii’s rich history, beginning with the migration of the Polynesians and their discovery of the island of Maui (Honua’ula as they named it).

Setting the stage!

Hula dancing was used by the ancient Hawaiians to tell stories of their ancestors and history. There are a variety of hula styles throughout the show, including traditional ancient hulas with chants and swing hulas (from the 1930’s) that showcase how the dance has evolved over the years.

Love the colors of the dancer’s outfit with the stained glass.

My kids absolutely loved The Mo’o (lizard) hula with stilt walkers! It tells the story of the goddess Pele’s sister, who is sent by Pele to rescue her sweetheart who has been captured. She comes across a sneaky Mo’o along the way, which provides for a pretty comical encounter.

In addition to hula, a silk aerial artist performs a beautiful routine, dangling from a palm tree. The precision of each movement and exact placement of the silk is incredible and seamless!

Graceful aerial performance.

Fire Knife Dancers

For us, no luau is complete without the element of fire. The fire knife dancers were the last performance of the evening and had us on the edge of our seats the entire time.

Fire dancers… just wow!

To end the show, Chief Mana (a master of fire knives) performs a solo fire knife dance to the rhythm of drums. We couldn’t take our eyes off of him, as his skill and speed are beyond words. Let’s just say, I’d be a nervous wreck if I were his mother!

Chief Mana’s fire knife performance.

Before leaving the Grand Wailea, we made sure to pause and admire the nighttime charm of the resort.

The stained glass of the chapel is simply stunning at night! We highly recommend stepping inside the sanctuary to enjoy the atmosphere and a quiet, peaceful moment surrounded in beauty.

Chapel entrance.

Water features and art are illuminated with a warm glow and the stars over the ocean shimmer and appear close enough to touch.

Reflection Pool

Our evening at the ‘Aha’aina Wailea luau was the perfect way to start our family vacation on Maui. We are incredibly thankful for the opportunity to have experienced it together. Mahalo, Grand Wailea for this exceptional Maui memory!

Know Before You Go

If you are looking to attend the best luau on Maui, we highly recommend the ‘Aha’aina Wailea, A Grand Wailea Lū’au. You truly can’t go wrong with its hospitality, elegance and beauty.

• Address: 3850 Wailea Alanui Dr., Wailea, HI 96753
• Phone: 1-808-875-1234
• Website: https://www.grandwailea.com/
• Luau Reservations/Ticket Info: https://www.grandwailea.com/luau
• Menu: https://www.grandwailea.com/luau
• Food Allergy Information: Cari.Kucejko@waldorfastoria.com
• Luau Program: https://www.grandwailea.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/GW_AhaAina_brochure_2020.pdf
• Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

Read about our other Hawaiian adventures:

• Volunteering at O’o Organic Farm 
• Maui Ocean Center, Aquarium
• Stargazing at Haleakala National Park
• Best Snorkeling in Maui ~ Molokini Crater & Turtle Arches Cruise with Pacific Whale Foundation
• Maui Humane Society, Beach Buddies Program ~ Volunteer on Vacation

Big Island

• Hilo Tropical Waterfall Tour with Hawaii Forest and Trail
• Kona House Condo
• Giving Back on Vacation: Hawai’i Wildlife Center
• Meet the Artist; Mattie Mae Larson of Upcycle Hawaii (Big Island, plastic pollution, marine debris, unique wearable art.)
• Upcycle Hawaii ~ A Peek Inside their Studio
• A Visit with Upcycle Hawaii to One of the Most Plastic Polluted Beaches in the World
• One Aloha Organic Shave Ice

Also be sure to check out our Top 30 Gift Ideas for Travelers. It is full of unique gift ideas for those in your life who love to travel… or to add to your own personal carry-on.  We’ve even included the one item we won’t go to Disney without! It might surprise you!