15 Shows in Hawaiʻi We Would Put on an Itinerary

1.The Magical Mystery Show! at Hilton Waikiki Beach Hotel

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,754 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $99Our pick

At Hilton Waikiki Beach, magician Shoot Ogawa and his fellow performers present a roughly two-hour close-up magic and comedy show in a Victorian-style, 60-seat theater. Expect audience participation, a small magic museum, a rum punch for guests 21 and older, and a headline levitation act performed inches from the audience. VIP seating adds front-row captain’s chairs and two cocktails.

“This show on close up magic will appeal to all ages. Even watching closely you don’t know how they do it!”

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2.Luau Kalamaku with Buffet Dinner and Show

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,620 reviews · 4 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $179

Spend an evening at historic Kilohana Plantation for a lei greeting, island buffet, open bar before the show, and Luau Kalamaku’s theatrical account of the first Tahitian voyagers to reach Hawaii. Add a narrated train ride or premium seating when available. Hotel pickup is optional, and the full experience takes about four to six hours.

“The show was absolutely amazing but the food was lacking, service was amazing as well. Wish bar had more drinks like pina coladas or margaritas. And more dessert selections.”

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3.Waikiki Luau Buffet with Optional Rock-A-Hula Show Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,572 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $101

Spend about three and a half hours at the Royal Hawaiian Center with a Mai Tai, pineapple, hula instruction, and an upscale Hawaiian buffet. Add the 80-minute Rock-A-Hula show for Hawaiian dance, fire-knife work, Elvis and Michael Jackson tributes, and a cast meet-and-greet. VIP and Green Room upgrades add better seating and backstage access.

“Plenty and a variety of food! Dancers during dinner were entertaining. Show was a Las Vegas style show but very well done. Loved the whole experience.”

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4.Honolulu: Ka Moana Lūʻau at Aloha Tower – Oceanfront Luau Show

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,216 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $135

Spend about three hours at Ka Moana Lūʻau near Honolulu’s Aloha Tower. You’ll make leis, try a hula lesson, watch coconut and fire-making demonstrations, eat an island-style buffet, and follow a Polynesian wayfinding story through music and dance. The evening ends with a high-energy Samoan fire knife performance. Select hotel pickup is available.

“Pay for a good seat. We sat at a white table behind a black table and still had a hard time seeing. Thankful for our selfie stick”

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5.Honolulu: Three Star Deluxe Sunset Dinner Cruise and Show

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,204 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $193

Sail from Honolulu on the Star of Honolulu for a sunset over Diamond Head, a five-course dinner with lobster or steak, live Hawaiian and jazz music, and a cultural show. You can board independently at Aloha Tower or add hotel pickup from select locations. Friday sailings run longer and may include fireworks.

“Great service and food. Highly enjoyed the entertainment and singers. Fireworks were beautiful. Thank you David. Highly recommend.”

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6.Myths of Maui Luau Dinner and Show

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,144 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours (approx.) · from $211

Spend an oceanfront Maui evening with a shell lei greeting, open bar, all-you-can-eat island buffet, live Hawaiian music, and dances from Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa, and New Zealand. The show ends with fire-knife performers. VIP adds early entry, priority buffet access, premium front seating, and adult leis.

“Very expensive we paid over 1,000.00 and purchased the VIP for a family of 7. When they say unlimited drinks ( it’s not true ) the bar tender was very rude when asked for a mixed blended drinks for the kids they wanted more $$ 8.00 each to have them crush some ice with a mixed non alcoholic drink / when VIP costs over 400.00 extra Even though first in line was nice and the other staff was very friendly , the bar tender was the wreak of the night “ bossy” , and flat out rude from where you stood in line to what you wanted to drink .…”

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7.Ka Moana Luau Dinner and Show at Aloha Tower

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 1,087 reviews · 2h 30m · from $135

Spend 150 minutes at Honolulu’s oceanfront Ka Moana Luau beneath historic Aloha Tower. You’ll make a lei, try hula or drumming, sample a farm-to-table buffet, and watch a Polynesian production ending with a Sword of Fire dance. Optional hotel pickup, Celebrity seating, and a welcome Mai Tai add convenience and comfort.

“From the moment we arrived we were welcomed warmly and everyone was so happy and helpful. Great value for money and the performers were absolutely brilliant. The buffet was all you can eat and the drinks were in abundance. My family loved all the pre activities. Would definitely recommend! Best experience in Hawaii”

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8.Luau Kalamaku with Buffet Dinner & Show

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 932 reviews · 3h 30m · from $179

Spend about three and a half hours at Kilohana Plantation for a lei greeting, open bar, local-style buffet, craft fair, and the 45-minute Kalamaku show. The production follows an epic sea journey from Tahiti to Kauai, with hula, live Hawaiian music, and fire dancing. Optional pickup and a separate train ride are available.

“It was a beautiful and unforgettable experience. I even cried.”

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9.Honolulu: Pacific Star Sunset Dinner Cruise and Show

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 633 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $139

Board the Star of Honolulu at Pier 8 for a two-hour sunset cruise with a Pacific Rim buffet, one Mai Tai, coffee, tea, and live contemporary entertainment. You’ll see Oahu’s coast from wraparound decks, with an extra hour and fireworks on Friday sailings. Seats and show views vary by dining level.

“The food was so-so. The chicken was great but the beef was tough and the pork was dry. The entertainment was great, but should sign up as early as possible so you can sit closer to the stage and in the middle.”

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10.Honolulu Sunset Dinner Cruise with Friday Fireworks Show

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 285 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

You’ll cruise from Honolulu along Waikiki Beach toward Diamond Head, dine on beef short ribs or fresh mahi-mahi, and watch Friday’s Hilton Hawaiian Village fireworks from the water. The crew includes staff such as Alex, Lili, Lucy, and Jessica. Bring your own alcohol for the onboard mixologist, and arrive early if you want a better upper-deck seat.

“Great staff and food. Would do it again! The views were great also. Very well organized. Would recommend”

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11.Maui Hula Show: Hula and Fire Dancing at South Maui Gardens

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 152 reviews · from $130

Spend about two hours at South Maui Gardens on Wednesday or Sunday evening, starting with live Hawaiian music and hula before a cultural journey through Hawaii, New Zealand, Tahiti, and Samoa. A kukui nut lei, free parking, food trucks, picnic tables, and a fire knife finale make this a relaxed alternative to a full hotel luau.

“I was a great show! Great dancers and a good way to learn more about the culture and history of Hawaii”

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12.Honolulu: Pacific Star Sunset Buffet and Show

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 51 reviews · 2 - 3 hours · from $139

Board the Star of Honolulu at Pier 8 for a casual sunset cruise with a Pacific Rim buffet, roast beef carving station, Mai Tai, and live Polynesian entertainment. You’ll pass Ala Moana, Waikiki, and Diamond Head. Friday sailings add an extra hour and fireworks. Optional hotel pickup is available from several Waikiki locations.

“This was a fantastic cruise. The meal was delicious and the server Riley was very helpful and friendly Highly recommend this cruise 🚢”

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13.Hilton Waikiki Beach Hotel Magical Mystery Show

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 39 reviews · 2 hours · from $99

Step into a Victorian-style parlor at Hilton Waikiki Beach for a two-hour close-up magic show led by performers such as Shoot Ogawa and Kekoa. With only 64 seats, you sit within a few feet of floating, vanishing, and changing objects. Tickets include valet parking and one rum punch or virgin drink, with VIP seats and a magic kit available.

“I’m a bit of a skeptic when it comes to magic, but this was a fun show. The banter really elevated the magic beyond what you might see at other shows and the small venue made it feel really personal. Great show. Would go again.”

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14.Islands of Polynesia and “HA: Breath of Life Show”

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 25 reviews · from $136

Spend up to three days exploring Hawaii, Aotearoa, Fiji, Tahiti, Tonga, and Samoa at the Polynesian Cultural Center. Try hula, poi, lauhala weaving, traditional games, and island ceremonies, then attend Hā: Breath of Life, a large evening production with dance, music, animation, special effects, and fire knife performers.

“The final show was rather long but very beautiful, and the day was perfect. A magnificent and rich culture!”

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15.Honolulu: Ka Moana Luau Dinner and Show with Transportation

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 6 reviews · 2h 30m · from $166

Spend 150 minutes at Ka Moana Luau, an oceanfront dinner theatre with lei greeting, hula and drum lessons, coconut weaving, a farm-to-table buffet, drinks, and a Polynesian show ending with the Sword of Fire dance. Waikiki hotel pickup is available, and the celebrity option adds a welcome Mai Tai.

“Excellent! Food was great and the show was like no other!”

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