Luau Kaula in Ko Olina: Story-based Hawaiian cultural show

A grandmother and granddaughter's voyage across three island cultures, told through music, dance and your own participation.

Luau Kaula in Ko Olina is a story-based luau where you follow a Hawaiian family's genealogy across Tahiti, Samoa and Hawaiʻi through music, dance and cultural performance. You choose when to eat from locally sourced dishes served from a food truck, join in cultural activities and friendly competitions, and the evening includes a lei greeting and welcome beverage. Hotel pickup is available on select ticket options. The experience runs three hours and is wheelchair accessible throughout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Experience Kaula Luau and Activities

• Arrive at Kaula Luau venue
• Enjoy interactive cultural activities
• Watch story-based music and dance show
• Eat all-you-can-eat dinner from food trucks
• Try locally sourced cocktails
• Participate in singalongs and competitions

The experience

The show centers on kupuna (grandmother) and granddaughter discovering their family's genealogy, told through the eyes of those who carry the stories. Rather than watching from a seat, you're part of the experience from arrival: wandering performers approach your table, cultural lessons unfold around you, and the energy builds toward high-note finales that fade into the sound of the ocean. The whole arc is built around your comfort: you skip the buffet line and eat when you're ready, so the meal never pulls you away from what's happening on stage.

The menu draws from locally sourced ingredients and authentic family recipes, with cocktails made from local spirits if your ticket includes dinner. Cultural activities scattered through the evening (voluntary singalongs, friendly competitions, interactive lessons) mean there's no sitting passively. The three-hour span holds the whole arc without dragging, and the lei greeting at the start sets the tone before anything else begins.

Ticket options range from Standard (with or without hotel pickup) to VIP, and a Cocktail Only option lets you skip dinner if you prefer. If you book transport, the pickup and drop-off are included. Without it, you arrange your own way to Ko Olina. All areas are wheelchair accessible, and infants can sit on an adult's lap or use specialized seats.

What’s included

• Lei greeting.
• welcome beverage (alcoholic or non-alcoholic).
• cultural activities including wandering performers, friendly competitions and voluntary singalongs.
• dinner with locally sourced ingredients and authentic family recipes (included on Standard and VIP tickets).
• locally sourced cocktails (if dinner is included).
• hotel pickup and drop-off (on select ticket options).

Options for this experience

6 options

Cocktail Only Ticket17:30Reserved seats in the outer ring and one welcome drink, alcoholic or non-alcoholic. Pre-show cultural activities are included, but dinner is not.

Cocktail Only w/Transport17:30Reserved outer-ring seats and one welcome drink, alcoholic or non-alcoholic; dinner is not included. Round-trip shuttle from Waikiki area hotels and pre-show cultural activities. Pickup is included.

Standard Ticket17:30Reserved standard seats for the show. All-you-can-eat island buffet and one welcome drink, alcoholic or non-alcoholic, over a 3-hour duration. Includes a traditional lei greeting and pre-lūʻau cultural activities.

See 3 more options

Standard Ticket w/Transport17:30Reserved standard seats for the show. All-you-can-eat island buffet and one welcome drink, alcoholic or non-alcoholic. Round-trip shuttle from Waikiki area hotels, and a traditional lei greeting with pre-lūʻau cultural activities. Pickup is included.

VIP Ticket17:30Seats in the front row, closest to the action, plus a professional souvenir photo. VIP ticket holders get early dinner access and two complimentary welcome beverages, alcoholic or non-alcoholic.

VIP Ticket w/Transportation17:30Front-row seats, closest to the action, plus a professional souvenir photo. VIP ticket holders get early dinner access and two complimentary welcome beverages, alcoholic or non-alcoholic. Round-trip shuttle from Waikiki area hotels; pickup is included.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except WednesdayDeparts at 17:30

Book up to6h before

AgesAdult (21 and older) · Youth (12 to 20 years) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 400

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomeInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Nā Lei Aloha Dinner Show

Is this one for you?Book the Standard or VIP ticket with transport if you're staying in a hotel and want the whole evening arranged: pickup, the show, dinner and the ride back all fit into one evening without you driving. The Cocktail Only option works if you want the performance and activities but prefer to eat elsewhere, and it's available with or without transport depending on where you're staying.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 20 years); Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the story Kaula tells?

Kaula follows a Hawaiian grandmother and granddaughter as they voyage across Tahiti, Samoa and Hawaiʻi to uncover their family's genealogy. The story unfolds through music, dance and cultural performance, told by performers who carry these stories in their hearts.

How does the dinner work at this luau?

Dinner is served from a food truck pod with locally sourced ingredients and authentic family recipes. You eat when you're ready instead of waiting in a buffet line, so you can move between the meal and the cultural activities without missing anything on stage.

What cultural activities happen during the evening?

Wandering performers interact with your table, cultural lessons are woven through the show, friendly competitions invite you to join in, and voluntary singalongs let you participate if you want. The activities are designed so you're never just watching.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included with the Standard Ticket w/Transport, Cocktail Only w/Transport, and VIP Ticket w/Transportation options. If you book a Standard or VIP ticket without transport, you arrange your own way to Ko Olina.

How long does the luau run?

The experience runs three hours from arrival through the final performance, with the lei greeting at the start and the sound of the ocean marking the end.

Can I attend if I use a wheelchair?

Yes, all areas and surfaces at Luau Kaula are wheelchair accessible, and transportation options are also wheelchair accessible if you book a ticket that includes pickup.