You can choose numerous luau’s to go to in Kauai, but we were told the best and most popular luau was held at the Hyatt, where my wife and I were staying. The "Drums of Paradise" is held in the rear of the resort, close to the waterfront. Now this was our first luau, so I only expected some hula dancers and a mediocre buffet set up. The "Drums of Paradise" was anything but.
If you are interested in Hawaiian culture, you will be pleased to learn the history of the hula and other Polynesian dances, such as the Maori (traditional dances from New Zealand). From my understanding there are many types of hula dances, but they are classified in two forms: the
hula kahiko and the
hula ‘auana . The former is an ancient form done with chanting, and the latter is choreographed to song. Both forms are graceful and elegant, but our favorite segment of the entertainment was the
Nifi Afi (fire knife dance). The fire knife dance originated in Samoa and has been passed on from generation to generation. This pre-war ritual, of twirling the
nifo oti (war knife), was used to rile up the Samoan warriors before battle.
The buffet selection at the "Drums of Paradise" luau was vast and Polynesian inspired (obviously) with choices such as Maui onion and tomato salad, lomi lomi salmon, poi sesame seared mahi mahi, huli huli chicken, pineapple upside-down cake, and guava mousse cake. My favorite by item by far was the Imu style cooked Kalua pig. The pig is cooked in an "underground oven" called an imu. After digging a whole in the ground about four feet deep the pit is lined with sand and/or mats. A fire is then started and large, smooth rocks are thrown into the flames. When the rocks turn white from the immense heat they are then lined at the bottom of the pit immediately followed by split banana stalks and damp mats. Then a couple of stones are inserted into the pig, and the pig is placed in the "oven", followed by more banana leaves another damp mat and a covering of sand about three inches deep. In nine to eleven hours the pig is dug up, cut into pieces and the mouth watering morsels of meat are ready to be eaten. DELICIOUS!
The "Drums of Paradise" luau is held on Sunday and Thursdays (an additional luau is held on Tuesdays during the summer) from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm. When I went to the luau the cost was $65 for adults, this included entertainment, beverages (including alcohol), food (buffet style), and a lei upon arrival. In addition to this, there are tables where you can purchase Hawaiian crafts and artwork from local residents.
If traveling to Hawaii (Kauai) for the first time this is a must do. I found the price to be reasonable and my wife and I had a very good time.