iplay

Feast For The Senses

September 5, 2014 | By Yu Shing Ting

Waikiki’s only outdoor lu‘au boasts live music, authentic Hawaiian dining and stunning performances.

Family-friendly, fun and entertaining, the Waikiki Starlight Luau at Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort offers an unforgettable evening under the stars with ‘ono food, cultural activities, live music, captivating hula dancers, champion fire knife dancers and more.

A lu‘au is among the unique island traditions special to Hawai‘i. It’s a feast fit for royalty, satisfying all of your senses.

Prepared by the Hilton’s award-winnning resort chef, the Waikiki Starlight Luau buffet includes some classic lu‘au dishes, such as poi and lomi lomi salmon. Guests also will find sliced beef tri-tip, kalua pig and cabbage, teriyaki chicken, fresh fish, stir-fried vegetables, fried rice, purple Molokai sweet potatoes, seafood poke, sushi and much more. Many of the foods are also gluten-free.

There is also a keiki buffet designed just for children with kid-friendly foods like meatballs, chicken bites, corn on the cobettes, tater tots and fruits. It’s also set up lower, so kids can serve themselves.

Produced by Tihati Productions, Waikiki Starlight Luau opened in February 2010 and offers an outdoor rooftop setting with an intimate feeling.

“We have it set up like a theatre going around (the stage), so there’s [an] audience on all sides,” says Thomas Gasparenas, Waikiki Starlight Luau manager. “One of the unique things about this performance is how close the performers are to the audience. They’re almost in arm’s length away from the first (row of) people.”

Shows run Sunday to Thursday; doors open at 5 p.m., and the lu‘au starts at 5:30 p.m.

Festivities begin as soon as guests arrive with a variety of family-friendly activities for them to enjoy. There’s tattoo art for kids, lei making, poi ball lessons, wood carving demonstrations and more. The lu‘au lasts about three hours, and includes the show, dinner and two complimentary cocktails.

“It’s a choreographed show visiting different Polynesian locales,” Gasparenas adds. “We have hula kahiko, Tongan and Tahitian dances, and we have some of the best fire knife performers because of their success in competitions. One of the guys who performs with us is a four-time world champion.

“The show is just awe-inspiring.”

Waikiki Starlight Luau
Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort
2005 Kalia Road [C:8 Waikiki Map]
(808) 941-LUAU
(808) 941-5828

Cost:
Golden Circle Premier Seating
Adults: $125
Children $62.50 (age 4 to 11)
Free for children age 3 and under

General Seating
Adults: $99
Children $49.50 (age 4 to 11)
Free for children age 3 and under

* Complimentary self and valet parking
** A 20-percent discount is available for kama‘aina, military and groups of 20 or more.