What better way to understand the history and customs of the Polynesian Peoples than to go to a Lu'au!!?
Everyone in town will tell you that the Old Lahaina Lu’au is the best Lu’au on the island of Maui – but what happens if you can’t get tickets, as it sometimes books out over a week in advance!!?
Step in Maui Marriott Lu’au! Rated to be the second best – but don’t let not seeing the best put you off seeing an authentic Polynesian show featuring the best the Pacific Nations have to offer and prepare for a night to be remembered…!
Ceremonies begin on the beachfront at 4:30pm with a Shell Lei greeting, you are led to your seating with the first of many free drinks in your hand. After everyone has sat down you are treated to pre-show demonstrations of lei making, coconut cutting, ti-leaf skirt weaving and hula lessons. If you arrive a little early you can get to sit near the front of the stage – though you may be asked to volunteer like I was…
Next is the Imu ceremony where a kalua pig is dug out from an underground oven where it has spent hours roasting to perfection - once placed at the centrepiece of the feast, an elaborately prepared dinner buffet featuring delicious Hawai'ian dishes begins!
An hour after the feast has begun, the real show begins with medley of performances put on to delight the audience, including traditional Hawai'ain Hula dances to the Samoan Drumming and the fearsome Fijian Spear dance...
The grand finale of the show is the spellbinding Samoan Fire Knife dance where up to three dancers Dancers twirl and toss flaming knives in masterfully hypnotic patterns. This is quite rightly the best till last and, it is claimed, the best knife show on the island being the only triple fire knife show on Maui!
The proceedings draw to an end with rapturous applause around 8pm, leaving you to slowly wend your way back to your hotel room replaying the memories of an exciting show still fresh in your mind!
The Marriott Lu'au may be rated the second best on the island, but I for one had one helluva time!
If you still fancy seeing the best the island has to offer, consider this a friendly warning that you should book Old Lahaina before you even reach Maui…!