Experiencing the Hawai’iloa Luau – Beautiful Storytelling and a Delicious Feast

Often a luau is thought of as a party or simply dinner and a show. The Hawai’iloa Luau is more than that, telling the stories of how the Islands of Hawaii were discovered and settled and progressing through history. Add to that the amazing dancing and music, really good food and it’s an awesome luau choice on the Big Island. Located at the Fairmont Orchid up in Waikoloa the Hawaii Loa Luau happens in a beautiful spot just up off the beach next to one of the golf course lawns.

Have you gotten to enjoy this luau before? We’ve got all the information about the show, the menu (yes, there is a keiki table) and what makes this luau special. If you have any questions about attending the Hawaii Loa Luau, spending time on the Big Island or need some additional suggestions, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more.

NOTE: as you read on, you’ll see that we refer to the Hawai’iloa Lua in several different ways, including Hawai’iloa, Hawaii Loa, Hawaiiloa and Hawai’i Loa. The reason for this is because internet users will often search for Hawaiian terms without the correct punctuation, so just in case we’re covering each way “Hawai’iloa” appears on the web.

Why Choose the Hawai’iloa Luau

I’ve decided that all history always needs to be taught through song and dance and accompanied by great food in a beautiful setting. There are several luau options on the Kona Coast and of them, Island Breeze Productions has created a few. What I love about how they produce luaus is how important the story element is to complete luau experience. Here at the Hawai’iloa Luau at the Fairmont Orchid, the story is all about the namesake of the luau, Hawai’iloa. He was the leading way finder that brought the Polynesian peoples to the Islands of Hawaii, and thus the Big Island of Hawai’i is named for him.

The story of Hawai’iloa is told through songs, dances and a narrative. This progresses into more recent Hawaiian history and into the traditional luau songs we enjoy today. I think how well the story is told is what makes the luau show so captivating. While the Island Breeze Luau at the King Kamehameha Hotel is my overall favorite luau on the Kona Coast, the story and dances of the Hawaii Loa Luau are my favorite.

Book the Hawai’iloa Luau here!

Hawaiian Buffet Menu at the Hawaii Loa Luau

The food at the Hawaii Loa Luau is top notch. Poke, kalua pork, mai tais and much more make it a wonderful Hawaiian feast. Something that stood out to me among the never-ending buffet were the fish options available. In addition to poke, there was also a really good lomi lomi salad (salmon) and grilled fresh catch (I think it was mahi for us). Expertly prepared and presented, the food at this luau did not disappoint or run out.

My two favorite items were the sweet potato salad and the poke. Both of these dishes are things I’ve eaten all through the Hawaiian Islands, and the way they are made and presented here at the Hawaii Loa Luau is just perfect. These dishes are why I encourage people to try new foods when they are enjoying the luau experience.

Tips for a Great Hawai’iloa Luau Experience

To have the best time and get the most out of the Hawai’iloa Luau, show up hungry and ready to listen. A part of enjoying the Native Hawaiian culture and history is being open to hearing the stories and being a part of the experience. When it comes to a luau, this means trying new foods and learning a little something even if you’re just there for the show. I feel really strongly about people visiting Hawaii and not taking time to engage with the culture in some form or another. The Hawaii Loa Luau is a great introduction to different elements that are present all through the Big Island and beyond, so once you’ve had a delicious meal and heard some interesting stories, try to keep those things in mind as you continue your trip, in particular around the Island of Hawai’i.

Another big tip to consider is arriving to the luau grounds on time or early. We enjoy all the different activities before a luau, and here at the Hawai’iloa Luau there are Hawaiian yard games, a tattoo station (for temporary ones), beautiful gardens and grounds to stroll through and the open bar for a nice cocktail before the luau begins. The other benefit of arriving as early as possible is getting sat closer to the front of the luau seating.

To guarantee seating at the front tables, you can book the Ali’i tickets for the luau. This will grant you the preferred seating, a souvenir photo and a very nice lei. Our leis when we had Ali’i tickets were green shell leis which were lovely to bring home.

Being Prepared for the Hawaii Loa Luau

The Hawai’i Loa Lua is located outside just up from the beach at the Fairmont Orchid. While the evening weather, even during winter, tends to be wonderful and just the perfect temperature, it’s still weather and the temperature can drop as the sun sets or as the even breeze begins. I think for this event it’s a good idea to bring a light jacket or sweater, just in case. If rain comes in, the luau will be moved inside, but that’s a rare occasion.

If you’re bringing children to a luau, whether it’s the Hawaii Loa, Island Breeze or Voyagers of the Pacific luaus, depending on how you know they behave and their age, it may be worthwhile to bring some quiet entertainment for them. My kids are older and love luaus so we’ve not had a problem with them even being entertained and captivated, but I have seen a fair number of children over the years not quietly enjoy the experience, if you get my drift. I think most kids will be into the show and stories, but you know your keiki best.

For photos at the Hawai’iloa Luau it’s very easy to capture some great shots with a good camera phone, but please do try to not be the person who holds their phone up taking long videos and blocking everyone’s view. Be courteous as you enjoy photographing the event. I also have brought my DSLR camera to this (and other luaus) and have had great luck getting some really cool photos of the performances. It’s important to be familiar with your camera settings in advance though, as the lighting changes quite a bit through the evening as the sun goes down and stage lighting occurs. If you are used to agile photography, you’ll do fine and get some awesome photos.

Luau Parking at the Fairmont Orchid

Parking for the Hawai’iloa Luau at the Fairmont Orchid is complimentary, either for self-parking or valet. I prefer to park myself as it allows for a more swift exit after the show instead of waiting for the valet, but the parking area is quite large and you may wind up with a bit of a jaunt to where you parked. Either way, it’s a nice bonus that there’s no charge for luau parking and they do have things organized in a way that when the event lets out it’s not chaotic like other places.