Luau Kalamaku

Best food, story, and atmosphere...

We took the train ride around the plantation at 4:30 before the luau. The train ride was nice, but it’s geared more towards kids. The train stops so everyone can get off and feed the pigs, horse, and donkey. They have hand sanitizer, but I’d recommend bringing some hand wipes as well. The horse and donkey can slobber quite a bit. When we got back to the train depot, the entrance to the luau was open. The depot has a small gift shop and is next to the Koloa Rum Company. You could probably do the rum tasting before the luau. You’re greeted when you enter and then can have “professional” pictures taken which you can pick up right before or after the show. You get 2 8x10 photos for less than $30. We loved that the bar was open to grab a drink and then browse the local artists selling their products around the plantation. I got an ornament from a local artist and a handmade purse for my granddaughter. The drinks were good, and don’t forget to tip your awesome bartenders. We sat at an upgraded table in the front row. Since it was the slow season, honestly, there were no bad seats at this time of year. The very back tables had no one at them. If it were high season, I’d suggest paying for the close-up experience because some of the back tables are way back there. The food was good and well labeled, which I appreciated due to a food allergy, so I didn’t have to guess what was in the food. Everything I ate was pretty good for a buffet dinner. They let you go back for seconds since there was still plenty of food left. One plate was enough for us. Then at the other end was a buffet with 3 types of desserts. Everything was very good. There was no line at the dessert table and very short lines at the dinner buffet. The show was really interesting, and the actors/actresses were amazing. We enjoyed the show a lot. The dancing, storytelling, and fire were all fantastic. I give it 5 stars for sure. We sat with 4 other couples we didn’t know, but by the end, we had made some new friends with all of them! We loved the food, the show, and meeting new people. This was our first luau, and we really enjoyed our night. Exiting the plantation took a while due to the main street lights. The timer on the light only lets so many cars go at a time, so the line to leave was backed up all the way to the parking lot. The plantation doesn’t control this, but just know it takes a bit of time to exit when the show is over. I think the cost was around $475 for the two of us, but it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You won’t regret coming here for some Hawaiian culture.

We took the train ride around the plantation at 4:30 before the luau. The train ride was nice, but it’s geared more towards kids. The train stops so everyone can get off and feed the pigs, horse, and donkey. They have hand sanitizer, but I’d recommend bringing some hand wipes as well. The horse and donkey can slobber quite a bit. When we got back to the train depot, the entrance to the luau was open. The depot has a small gift shop and is next to the Koloa Rum Company. You could probably do the rum tasting before the luau. You’re greeted when you enter and then can have “professional” pictures taken which you can pick up right before or after the show. You get 2 8x10 photos for less than $30. We loved that the bar was open to grab a drink and then browse the local artists selling their products around the plantation. I got an ornament from a local artist and a handmade purse for my granddaughter. The drinks were good, and don’t forget to tip your awesome bartenders. We sat at an upgraded table in the front row. Since it was the slow season, honestly, there were no bad seats at this time of year. The very back tables had no one at them. If it were high season, I’d suggest paying for the close-up experience because some of the back tables are way back there. The food was good and well labeled, which I appreciated due to a food allergy, so I didn’t have to guess what was in the food. Everything I ate was pretty good for a buffet dinner. They let you go back for seconds since there was still plenty of food left. One plate was enough for us. Then at the other end was a buffet with 3 types of desserts. Everything was very good. There was no line at the dessert table and very short lines at the dinner buffet. The show was really interesting, and the actors/actresses were amazing. We enjoyed the show a lot. The dancing, storytelling, and fire were all fantastic. I give it 5 stars for sure. We sat with 4 other couples we didn’t know, but by the end, we had made some new friends with all of them! We loved the food, the show, and meeting new people. This was our first luau, and we really enjoyed our night. Exiting the plantation took a while due to the main street lights. The timer on the light only lets so many cars go at a time, so the line to leave was backed up all the way to the parking lot. The plantation doesn’t control this, but just know it takes a bit of time to exit when the show is over. I think the cost was around $475 for the two of us, but it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You won’t regret coming here for some Hawaiian culture.

Our group of eight (ages 8 to 50) went to Luau Kalamaku at the Historic Kilohana Plantation in July 2025, and it was definitely one of the highlights of our Kauai trip—second only to our catamaran tour! What makes this luau unique is how it narrates a story through dance and music, kind of like a ballet. Instead of just showcasing individual cultural dances with explanations, the whole performance unfolds as a tale, blending Hawaiian history and legends into a captivating, visually stunning show. The performers are top-notch—smiling, expressive, and so perfectly in sync that it felt like we were watching the best on the island. The whole experience felt immersive. The food was outstanding (10/10)—authentic, flavorful, and clearly labeled for gluten-free and vegetarian guests, which made it easy for everyone in our group to dig into the buffet. The setting is gorgeous, surrounded by the historic plantation grounds, with local artists selling handmade pieces (a hit for my daughter, who's an artist herself). The imu ceremony (digging up the traditional kalua pig) added to the authenticity, and while we skipped the optional train ride, it looked like a fun add-on for families. The show takes place indoors with a central stage and top-notch lighting and sound effects, ensuring there aren’t any bad seats. Our seating was awesome, and a few of us even got invited up to dance with the performers, which made the night even more special (even though we paid full price and got no special treatment despite knowing one performer). The only downside was the temperature—it got a bit warm inside since the space has a roof and two walls, but no real cross-breeze or air conditioning. Once the performance started, though, I was so into the story and talent that I hardly noticed. Everyone in our group—kids, teens, and adults—had a fantastic time. I’d highly recommend Luau Kalamaku to families, couples, first-timers, and even those who usually aren’t into luaus (like me!). The storytelling aspect really sets it apart, making you feel 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 magic alive.

Our group of eight (ages 8 to 50) went to Luau Kalamaku at the Historic Kilohana Plantation in July 2025, and it was definitely one of the highlights of our Kauai trip—second only to our catamaran tour! What makes this luau unique is how it narrates a story through dance and music, kind of like a ballet. Instead of just showcasing individual cultural dances with explanations, the whole performance unfolds as a tale, blending Hawaiian history and legends into a captivating, visually stunning show. The performers are top-notch—smiling, expressive, and so perfectly in sync that it felt like we were watching the best on the island. The whole experience felt immersive. The food was outstanding (10/10)—authentic, flavorful, and clearly labeled for gluten-free and vegetarian guests, which made it easy for everyone in our group to dig into the buffet. The setting is gorgeous, surrounded by the historic plantation grounds, with local artists selling handmade pieces (a hit for my daughter, who's an artist herself). The imu ceremony (digging up the traditional kalua pig) added to the authenticity, and while we skipped the optional train ride, it looked like a fun add-on for families. The show takes place indoors with a central stage and top-notch lighting and sound effects, ensuring there aren’t any bad seats. Our seating was awesome, and a few of us even got invited up to dance with the performers, which made the night even more special (even though we paid full price and got no special treatment despite knowing one performer). The only downside was the temperature—it got a bit warm inside since the space has a roof and two walls, but no real cross-breeze or air conditioning. Once the performance started, though, I was so into the story and talent that I hardly noticed. Everyone in our group—kids, teens, and adults—had a fantastic time. I’d highly recommend Luau Kalamaku to families, couples, first-timers, and even those who usually aren’t into luaus (like me!). The storytelling aspect really sets it apart, making you feel 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 magic alive.