Lu’au Kalamaku — Attraction in Kauai

Highly recommend Lu'au Kalamaku! The show was very well done, with a great story, excellent music, above average production, and a terrific performance by the actors and actresses.

The show is the highlight of the evening, but the overall experience was also very good. We added the optional train ride to our package and thoroughly enjoyed seeing the various crops that were once grown as well as learning the history of the area. The animal interaction was also surprisingly fun. The Imu Ceremony was very well done, with lots of interaction with the guests. We also enjoyed seeing all the locally made crafts, and even found some great souvenirs to take home.

The venue is quite large and there is plenty of room to move around. The lines for the bars and the buffet moved quite efficiently, we never found ourselves standing for too long. The venue is well maintained and clean. The tables were set around the stage, with several aisles that the actors would use to enter from. The open-air room holds a large number of people, but wasn't so crowded that you were bumping into other tables.

The restrooms were clean but were in need of some minor repairs and could use a refresh. In addition, there didn't seem to be enough for all the guests, as often we had to wait in line. Adding an additional set of restrooms, or expanding the existing ones would be a huge help here.

The food was good, but was somewhat underwhelming as is typical of a buffet. Most of the items were a bit on the dry-side as it tends to be when sitting under heat lamps or on a warming tray. We were one of the last tables to the buffet and there was still plenty of all the different food items. We particularly enjoyed both the Kalua Pork and the Teriyaki Chicken. They did not have the Poi available the night we went or maybe they had run out of it. The Jasmine Rice and the Vegetable Chow Mein were alright, but we've had much better. The fish surprisingly didn't have much flavor but was alright. The salad was brought to the table family-style and we had to ask for more since the bowl was empty by the time it made it to us. The deserts and the fresh fruit were all wonderful.

The service was great with the servers being quite attentive. All but one bartender we encountered were super friendly, and he was fine, just not talkative at all. The staff on the train ride were very helpful and seemed glad to interact with the guests. Check-in staff were relaxed and were friendly and they moved the line quite efficiently. The only area of improvement would be to add more staff to direct guests where to go once they get the puka necklace or lei. There was quite a large bottleneck due to there only being one person answering questions and directing guests where to go.

The performance was excellent and I think made that much more enjoyable with the theater-in-the-round layout. It was exciting to have the cast moving amongst the guests as part of the performance. We enjoyed having parts of the show happening all around us in various parts of the venue. The cast did an amazing job, with quite a few talented actors and actresses. The musicians were also top-notch and they really added to the show. The fire dance was exceptional, possibly the best we saw during our trip.

Overall, we had a great time at Luau Kalamaku, and we recommend attending to everyone that...

Our group of eight (ages 8 to 50) attended Luau Kalamaku at the Historic Kilohana Plantation in July 2025, and it was easily one of the highlights of our Kauai trip—second only to our catamaran tour!

What sets this luau apart is the way it tells a story through dance and music, much like a ballet. Rather than simply presenting individual cultural dances with explanations, the entire performance unfolds as a narrative, weaving Hawaiian history and legend into a moving, visually stunning show. The performers are exceptional—smiling, expressive, and so perfectly synchronized that it felt like watching the best of the best on the island.

The entire experience felt immersive. The food was outstanding (10/10)—authentic, flavorful, and well-labeled for gluten-free and vegetarian guests, which made it easy for everyone in our group to enjoy the buffet. The setting itself is beautiful, surrounded by the historic plantation grounds, with local artists offering handmade pieces (a favorite for my daughter, who is an artist herself). The imu ceremony (unearthing of the traditional kalua pig) added to the authenticity, and while we didn’t do the optional train ride, it looked like a fun add-on for families.

The show is performed indoors with a central stage and excellent lighting and sound effects, ensuring there are no bad seats. Our seating was great, and a few of us were even invited up to dance with the performers, which made the night even more memorable (though we paid full price and received no special treatment despite knowing one performer).

The only downside was the temperature—it got warm inside since the space has a roof and two walls, but no true cross-breeze or air conditioning. Once the performance began, though, I was so captivated by the story and talent that I hardly noticed.

Everyone in our group—kids, teens, and adults alike—had a fantastic time. I’d recommend Luau Kalamaku to families, couples, first-timers, and even those who don’t usually enjoy luaus (like me!). The storytelling aspect sets it apart, making you feel truly connected to Hawaii’s history and people. We left feeling so inspired that we played the Moana soundtrack all the way back to our Airbnb to keep the...

Hubby and I got the package with transportation, train ride and priority seating. When our bus dropped us off, we had to rush to the train to get the last ride available. The clerk told us to pick up our welcome leis when we got back. The train ride was more geared toward families with little children, as it was a brief, nondescript mention of plants along the way and a long stop in the middle to get out and feed tortillas to pigs. Not really much interest for senior citizens. When we got back, the check in office was closed. We flagged down an employee and were told there were no more leis, so we were given a necklace each. We then went directly to find our table, as there was already activity on the stage. Apparently, the first course had already been served and all that was left for us were a few scraps of salad leftover from the table. We then went to get a drink before the show. The food was edible, but surprisingly no poi was on the buffet. We asked a server for poi and were obliged with a small sample. Hubby asked every server he came across for a lei for me and we finally got one right before the main show. The luau show was very entertaining! We were told by our bus driver to be back on the bus by 8:20, but the show didn’t end until 8:30. We took a chance and finished the show, then rushed out to board our bus. By the time we got back to our area, it was dark. No announcement was made about where we were. When we asked if this was Edward’s Rd, the bus driver didn’t know. We THOUGHT this was probably our stop, but it was quite unnerving to not be sure. We found our condo, but we were both pretty nervous. We wouldn’t have missed a luau while in Hawaii, but I think the process at this facility needs a little refinement. We would have liked to have had time to enjoy the full experience of this location and browse their shops (I think there were some there). This package felt like the bum’s rush instead of the leisurely island vibe that would have been more in keeping with...