Review: A Visual Journey of the Aha'Aina Luau at the Royal Hawaiian Resort in Waikiki
Experience the wonders of Hawaiian culture at the Aha'Aina luau through authentic music, dance, storytelling and an amazing buffet selection featuring island cuisine along the glittering shore of Waikiki Beach at The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort.
There is no better luxurious luau in Waikiki and the stories of Waikiki's past, as performed here at this luau, will leave you breathless! We enjoyed a lovely evening at the luau and highly recommend it!
See more great photos here: Aha'Aina Luau at the Royal Hawaiian Resort in Waikiki
Overview
Waikiki’s only oceanfront sit-down vignette dinner show is a culinary and sensory celebration, commemorating Hawaiian culture and transforming the traditional island experience in grand Royal Hawaiian style.
The Aha'Aina luau is held every Monday and Thursday evenings at the Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort. The luau pays homage to Helumoa, the legendary playground of Hawaiian royalty where the resort now stands, with a modern interpretation of the traditional Hawaiian feast called ‘Aha‘aina, A Royal Celebration.
Location:
A Visual Journey Through the Aha'Aina Luau
The luau program is broken up into three main acts, with the corresponding times of each portion of the luau as shown below:
As you enter the luau, you'll have the opportunity to take a picture (available for purchase) and then will be seated. The pre-show consists of traditional Hawaiian time-honored activities such as kapa-making (cloth made of pounded bark), poi-pounding, and na lawai’a (tending of fishing tools).
Act II. The Royal Feast
The night continues with the sound of a pu (conch), calling on luau guests to feast on the authentic flavors of the different cultures that came to Hawaii as immigrant workers in the plantation industry.
There a few culinary stations setup where you can start dinner, all while a storyteller shares the history of the native cuisine, the significance of lei giving, and the tale of Helumoa.
'Aha'aina Food Stations include:
After dinner, the main part of the luau begins with the story of Helumoa unfolding before you. For centuries, the land beneath the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, Helumoa, has been an important place to Hawaiians. It was the stage where royal courts ruled, the supernatural appeared, an invading army landed, and royalty lived and relaxed.
This rich history of Helumoa, from early beginnings to present day, is performed beautifully here, culminating in a spectacular fire dance. My kids were enthralled from start to finish and enjoyed the storytelling and show!
Waikiki’s only oceanfront luau & dinner show is the most luxurious and best on the island - you will not leave here disappointed and enjoy a culinary and sensory celebration, commemorating Hawaiian culture and transforming the traditional island experience in grand Royal Hawaiian style.
See more great photos here: Aha'Aina Luau at the Royal Hawaiian Resort in Waikiki
There is no better luxurious luau in Waikiki and the stories of Waikiki's past, as performed here at this luau, will leave you breathless! We enjoyed a lovely evening at the luau and highly recommend it!
See more great photos here: Aha'Aina Luau at the Royal Hawaiian Resort in Waikiki
Overview
Waikiki’s only oceanfront sit-down vignette dinner show is a culinary and sensory celebration, commemorating Hawaiian culture and transforming the traditional island experience in grand Royal Hawaiian style.
The Aha'Aina luau is held every Monday and Thursday evenings at the Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort. The luau pays homage to Helumoa, the legendary playground of Hawaiian royalty where the resort now stands, with a modern interpretation of the traditional Hawaiian feast called ‘Aha‘aina, A Royal Celebration.
Location:
- The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort
- Every Monday and Thursday evening from 5:30pm to 8:00pm
- Check-in Time: 5:00pm
- Adults: $187.43
- Premium seating: Available for an additional $21 (includes upgraded lei greeting and priority to buffet line).
- Children (5 -12 years): $105.76
- Children Under 5: $20.94
- A Royal dinner, beverages and spectacular entertainment
- 1 Welcome Drink + 2 Drinks (alcoholic & non-alcoholic beverages available)
- Lei Greeting
- Spectacular Entertainment
- Cash Bar available
A Visual Journey Through the Aha'Aina Luau
The luau program is broken up into three main acts, with the corresponding times of each portion of the luau as shown below:
- Act I. Welcome to Ancient Waikiki: 5:15pm - 6:00pm
- Act II. The Royal Feast: 6:00pm - 7:00pm
- Act III. The Helumoa Story Unfolds: 7:00pm - 7:50pm
As you enter the luau, you'll have the opportunity to take a picture (available for purchase) and then will be seated. The pre-show consists of traditional Hawaiian time-honored activities such as kapa-making (cloth made of pounded bark), poi-pounding, and na lawai’a (tending of fishing tools).
Act II. The Royal Feast
The night continues with the sound of a pu (conch), calling on luau guests to feast on the authentic flavors of the different cultures that came to Hawaii as immigrant workers in the plantation industry.
There a few culinary stations setup where you can start dinner, all while a storyteller shares the history of the native cuisine, the significance of lei giving, and the tale of Helumoa.
'Aha'aina Food Stations include:
- Poi and Poke Station
- Poi With Fresh Salted Salmon, Ho Farm Tomatoes And Maui Onion Ahi, Shrimp, Tako, Hamakua Tomato and Mushroom Poke On Ice Bar
- Island Fruit Station
- Sliced Pineapple, Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Honeydew, Kula Strawberries, Mojito Style Mango
- Island Salads Station
- Island Coleslaw, JA Farms Caesar Salad With Portuguese Bread Croutons, White Anchovies And Pipikaula, Ho Farms Tomato And Cucumber Salad, JA Farms Baby Greens With Edamame, Ho Farms Tomatoes and Watermelon Radish
- Huli Huli Grill Action Station
- Local Island Chicken, Garlic Fried Rice, Wok Fried Choi Sum With Crispy Shallots, Roasted Vegetable Curry
- Kiawe Wood BBQ Station
- Korean BBQ Kalbi Ribs, Chinese Steamed Mongchong With Ginger And Scallion
- Dessert Station
- Royal Hawaiian Bread Pudding Pink Haupia Cake Halo-Halo Flan Waialua Estate Chocholate-Coffee Tiramisu
- There are also Vegan, Vegetarian and Gluten-Free dining options if you have any dietary restrictions.
After dinner, the main part of the luau begins with the story of Helumoa unfolding before you. For centuries, the land beneath the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, Helumoa, has been an important place to Hawaiians. It was the stage where royal courts ruled, the supernatural appeared, an invading army landed, and royalty lived and relaxed.
This rich history of Helumoa, from early beginnings to present day, is performed beautifully here, culminating in a spectacular fire dance. My kids were enthralled from start to finish and enjoyed the storytelling and show!
Waikiki’s only oceanfront luau & dinner show is the most luxurious and best on the island - you will not leave here disappointed and enjoy a culinary and sensory celebration, commemorating Hawaiian culture and transforming the traditional island experience in grand Royal Hawaiian style.
See more great photos here: Aha'Aina Luau at the Royal Hawaiian Resort in Waikiki