Aloha Kai - Sea Life Park Luau — Attraction in Oʻahu

We had a really good day at this luau and park. I bought the gold package at the kamaaina rate and it was about $170 per person. We got admission into Sea Life Park with it so we came at about 1:30-2pm so we could browse the park before the luau. It was fun, just wish they would do more rehabilitation and release back into wild rather than keep, breed, and raise in captivity.

For the luau itself it was ehhh we had fun, but for the price I wanted more! The cast was great they did a great job and the show was more than good. I think I was just a bit underwhelmed by the selection on the buffet and the drink ticket situation. They have us 2 tickets per person and those were the only way we could get alcoholic beverages, or soda (basically anything other than water) without buying and paying extra. That was a bit annoying. Next was the wait in line after they moved us back and forth from the staging area to the closed park restaurant area and then back to the line up area for the entrance. Once in line it was a mess, honestly. The lines were separate but then there was no way for people to exit the ticketing are where we received our wristbands and drink tickets back through the lines by the windows and then to the actual entrance. Once inside we took a photo and then went back to the restaurant holding area before waiting to get called by wristband type to head to the luau grounds. At that point we were shown to our tables and we were free to roam about the different activities that were going on and participate as you wished.

Overall it was a success and we would recommend it, but probably wouldn’t go back. We’ve been to the Polynesian Cultural Center several times since living here and we take all of our visitors there as well. This was convenient on the fact I booked several hours before leaving to go whereas the PCC is booked at least a month in advance.

If you are visiting and want something simple with the kids or have never been to a luau and are on a time crunch this is a good...

Sorry but not a big fan at all. This is my 3rd luau and by far the worst. They had us seated next to one of the activity areas which was horrible b/c I couldn’t even enjoy my $600 table due to everyone crowding around us twisting coconut tree leaves. And speaking of the activities, they were somewhat lame and corny. Most of them were geared towards kids and that’s fine considering that’s who I came with but I’ve been to luaus that had far more participatory activities for kids AND adults. Definitely not $600 worth of activities. So we’re waiting on the show and it started and again, my $600 did not get me a $600 show. The performers weren’t great at all - I’m talking like Carnival Cruise ship type not good. The fire guys were good though but there were like 3 of them. In addition to that, the stage was small and low and I couldn’t see much, and the host was very good or engaging. The band was ok but garage-ish. The back drop was nice and the food was all you can eat unlike some of the others I’ve been too so that was a plus but I just feel like I was robbed +$600. Almost like someone decided to throw a luau together knowing the tourist will show up anyway. But there’s some potential here… 1st raise the stage. Just a few feet will provide better viewing for all. 2. rearrange the tables. I swear I started to slide my table over a little bit so I could get in and out of my chair but I didn’t want to be that guy. Either that or move the activities away from the tables. There’s definitely room for that at least. 3. get better and more performers. I dont want to insult those guys bc I know they work and train hard to put on a show but give them some help. 4. hire a host that’s funny and/or more engaging. Many of the jokes and attempts to gain the audience’s attention fell flat. Do these things and you might have something here. Otherwise, I recommend people go to either Paradise Cove or the one up near Waimea at Toa Luau. Much better shows for you $600 but not all...

Fugazi...A complete misrepresentation of the experience from the word go. The driver shows up 30 minutes late on a bus with no air conditioning. The driver doesn't apologize for being late although there was no one else on the bus before she picked us up. Another couple joins us on the bus and also complains about the heat.

The driver then puts her hands up to the fan and says, "It's blowing!"...yes, HOT air! She then takes us to another hotel and drops us off saying that another bus would be there in 20 minutes to resume the transport to the luau location. We literally walked to the corner to get my kids a refreshment, walk back and find out that the bus is gone. I call the driver and she says that another bus will be there in 20 minutes.

We stand there 25 minutes still no bus. I call again...no answer...call a Lyft...Lyft is on the way...call the driver again...she answers and says the driver is turning the corner. Driver arrives finally...I cancel the Lyft...pay the cancellation fee...get on the bus. The new driver proceeds to go to another hotel where our previous driver is standing. They load another couple on and she touches me on my shoulder and says, "Thank you for being patient." I'm lava hot at this point as we begin to drive to the luau.

We finally get to the luau location to find ourselves in line to go in. We purchased a silver package. It might as well have been bronze because there is no advantage beyond the gold package, where they get to go in first. It should have been advertised as gold package and the rest of y'all. They served us cafeteria style food which was mediocre at best outside of the pineapples. They faked a pig roast where they brought a pig out of the ground but there was no smoke...go figure.

The show was a bright spot despite all we endured to get there. The performers were really good which is why I rate it one ⭐. Would I recommend this to someone else......