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Paradise Cove Luau

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kimmcb
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4 out of 5
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6
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Editor Pick

Great Family Outting!

  • March 8, 2009
  • Rated 4 of 5 by LAFRAGIA from WINSTON SALEM, North Carolina
Great Family Outting!

Paradise Cove



Our family recently participated in a Paradise Cove Luau in Oahu, Hawaii. It was quite pleasant and an absolute joy for the kids. There were games, crafts, music, canoe rides, dancing…I mean we really had a great time!

The lowest available price I was able to find was on Fun-Hawaii.com. The price included roundtrip transportation, all activities/games, Luau and the buffet meal/drinks. I decided not to book anything until we arrived on the island because on our last visit we booked in advance and got rained out most of our activities three days in a row. Yet just so happens we were able to luck out by going to a Time Share presentation and get the family of four in for only $40.00 total (read my review on timeshares in Hawaii.)

The bus driver and the bus host were so comical. We had cousin James and cousin Brunson. He told great jokes non-stop. Trust me there were A LOT of jokes because traffic on the island at 5:00pm is horrible and you go about 10mph. The journey from Waikiki was maybe 40minutes or so.

Upon arrival to Paradise Cove you remain with your bus group. Their personnel greet you with smiles and your first drink. You stop and take pictures with "natives of the land" They wrap you with Lei’s made of sea shells and your off for fun. They had about five different games …like stick toss, spear throwing, Hawaiian bowling and a few we missed. Each time you participate they give you another Sea Shell Lei. By the time we left that night one of my sons had enough souvenir Sea Shell Leis for his entire 3rd grade class.

At first my husband was trying to be so serious and make it "about the kids" but I told him to loosen up, its okay, we are on vacation and he can have fun too! He ended up playing the games as much as the kids did….lol.

I myself journeyed off to make flower Leis and head garments while they got their arms painted. We later regrouped and the kids took a canoe ride (where they actually let the kids paddle) and listened to some music. Shortly there afterwards everyone met for the uncovering of the pig and some native song and dance. Note that the sunset is so beautiful if there are no clouds.

After the pig is unearthed, the performers hang around a little longer for some photos with the guest (note: if you purchase their pictures it is $15.00 a photo.) We purchased two out of five. I was able to snap a few of the kids and the performers with my own camera (I noticed they tried to avoid posing for pictures you attempted to take with your personal cameras (but they had a time at the end of the show were they allowed you to snap a few pictures and get some autographs of the performers.))

After the photo session, it is dinner time. It is an all you can eat buffet and that’s what you see most doing. The food is plentiful so there isn’t a worry there. They had Pasta Salad, Macaroni Salad (but it had too much mayo in it) A regular salad you make yourself with the tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, onions…etc, Some different dressings and bread. PLEASE NOTE PEOPLE: They have utensils to pick the bread up with! Don’t use your hands!!! Geeesh! There was one guy in front of me that moved the tongs out the way so he could pick his bread up with his hands. He touched several pieces in the basket in search of a certain bread ( it only looked like one type of bread in it to me.) I guess his wife saw my face of irritation or she maybe had her own irritation from what he was doing and told him to use the tongs too. There was pulled pork, rice, chicken, fish and one or two more dishes. They had a dessert area a few steps pass the main food area.

Once everyone gets there first round, the shows start. There is a jolly host. He tells a few jokes, and gets the crowd roared up. The actual dance itself is great. I cared more for the fast upbeat tempo rather than the slower dancing. The show starts off with the ….REAL…slow dancing and I noticed I got a little heavy eyed so I wander to the necklace shop, but come back just in time for the hula dancers and the flame thrower. EVERYONE seemed to perk up then. Don’t get me wrong, there was nothing wrong with the slower stuff, It just that the temperature was a little on the cool side, It started to mist a little bit, We had already eaten and so ya eyes get a little heavy, ya know what I mean?..lol…

Over all it was a complete joy and when we return to Hawaii again we will more than likely participate in another Luau.

Paradise Cove

  • January 7, 2008
  • Rated 1 of 5 by spottedcallie from Derwood, Maryland
Tired performance geared toward older crowd. Drinks very watered down! Our bus arrived a hour late limiting our ability to participate in activities. Never book online as they do not honor discounts (ie entertainment book).
Editor Pick

Paradise Cove Hawaiian Luau

  • September 28, 2005
  • Rated 5 of 5 by amjohnson from Holly Grove, Arkansas
We were picked up from our Hotel and taken to the location of the luau by bus. When we arrived, the location was in the sand on 12 beachfront acres and there were tables and chairs lined up in rows and then a stage in front of them. There was a line of tables, with the food between the eating tables and the stage. When we took our seats, there were pitchers of Blue Hawaiian’s and Mai Tai’s on our table. They had both drinks with and without alcohol, so you could make your choice. If you did want to drink, you didn’t have to worry about driving afterwards, since they took you by bus back to your hotel. We got our drinks and then watched as they removed the pig from the ground. Then we were all able to, one table at a time, go fill our plates with food. The food was all very good and enjoyable.

While eating and afterwards there was a very entertaining show going on. They were hula dancing and doing different things. They even picked people out of the audience to participate.

The event started at 4:45pm, begun by a Mai Tai greeting. They then had arts-and-crafts and games of skill. You were free to roam the area for a while playing the games or watching everyone. They had nice buildings with restrooms, which was a good idea to visit before getting back on the bus to the hotels. The buses departed around 9:15pm and headed back to the hotels.

This was a very enjoyable experience and was great for all ages. They had storytelling, games, drinks, food, dancing, and music. I would definitely spend the money to go back again.

From journal Waikiki Beach Summer Vacation

Paradise Cove Luau

  • April 6, 2005
  • Rated 5 of 5 by ongkenyong from Stamford, Connecticut
Paradise Cove Luau

After a lot of research, I decided to go for the Paradise Cove Luau. There are others available on the island, but this had the best reviews. Having been there, I can see why. It's not cheap, but it’s definitely worthwhile for a fun-filled evening. Do use the coupon found in the Hawaii Entertainment Book for 25% off the ticket price. Tickets include round-trip transportation from Waikiki, which is good since the place is on the west side of the island. You get some drink coupons, but bring extra cash to upgrade to better drinks and purchase more.

The food isn't great, but it’s not bad either. The night ends with an hour-long performance of Hawaiian song and dance not to be missed. Everyone left with a smile on their face. There's an informative website at www.paradisecovehawaii.com.

From journal 6 days in Oahu

Editor Pick

Paradise Cove Luau

  • April 28, 2004
  • Rated 4 of 5 by ggflier from Los Angeles, California
Paradise Cove Luau

After a long, yet amusing (depending on your host) bus ride, we arrived to lines of people for the Paradise Cove Luau at the Ko Olina Resort. There were hundreds of people, all ages. Upon entrance, everyone had their picture taken with performers dressed in Hawaiian attire, including grass skirts, coconut shell bras, and all.

The first stop for many adults was the bar section, for a variety of cocktails such as lava flows and blue Hawaiians. These are included, number depending on your chosen package. After the pre-luau activities, everyone gathers for the traditional Imu ceremony, and then it's off to feast on roasted Kalua Pig, salmon, fried chicken, potato salad, and lots more. Then The Paradise Cove Extravaganza: live entertainment featuring hula and fire dancers, singing and more.

Transportation is included. The Royal Ali'i package seems to offer the most bang for your buck, including a flower lei, preferred seating, table service instead of waiting in the long buffet lines, and unlimited (though watered down) Mai Tai's and/or Soft Drinks. Though an expensive activity, if you've never been a luau is a worthwhile activity and there are many discount coupon offers to make it more affordable.
For more info visit Paradise Cove

From journal A Week in Waikiki

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