Toa Luau at Waimea Valley, Oahu: Polynesian show with feast

The kava ceremony happens before dinner, not after: a deliberate pace that roots the meal in tradition.

Toa Luau at Waimea Valley on Oahu's North Shore is a three-hour Polynesian cultural experience with an island feast, interactive demonstrations, and a full show featuring Hawaii, Tonga, New Zealand, Tahiti and Samoa. You choose between three seating tiers (each with a different drink allowance), and two daily showtimes run at 12:30pm and 5pm. The botanical garden closes Mondays except June through August, though luaus operate year-round. On Mondays, gates open 30 minutes early for luau guests only.

Step-by-step itinerary

Toa Luau and Waimea Valley visit

• Arrive at Waimea Valley
• Walk through flower lei gardens
• Hike among diverse plant life
• Swim at Waimea Falls (if open)
• Check in for Toa Luau
• Participate in food prep and lawn activities
• Watch Umu rock oven demonstration
• Attend Kava ceremony
• Enjoy island feast dinner
• Watch Polynesian dance show
• See Fire Knife show finale
• Aloha and farewell

The experience

Three hours at Waimea Valley starts with check-in and lawn activities. You'll watch food being prepared and get a flower lei greeting before the demonstrations begin. The umu (rock oven) show comes first, then the kava ceremony, which sets the tone for the meal itself. This is not a passive sit-and-watch: you're standing in the valley, moving between stations, watching cooks work with real fire and traditional methods. The full Polynesian feast arrives around the 45-minute mark, and by then you've already seen how it was made.

The show runs for nearly an hour and closes with fire knife dancing: the kind of finale that justifies the whole afternoon. Dances rotate through Hawaii, Tonga, New Zealand, Tahiti and Samoa, so the performers are covering real ground, not just repeating one island's repertoire. You're seated for this part, and the performers work close enough that you feel the heat from the knives. Check-in happens 10 minutes before your chosen time (either 12:30pm or 5pm), and you'll be finished and heading out by 4pm or 8pm depending on which seating you pick.

Waimea Valley itself spans 1,800 acres of botanical gardens with over 5,000 tropical plant species and the Waimea Falls at the far end. Your luau ticket includes access to walk the grounds before or after. The gardens are open all day, though they close Mondays except during summer (June through August). If you arrive early or stay late, you can hike to the falls or wander the lei gardens. Dress code is casual to aloha wear. Swimsuits are not allowed even though the falls are there.

What’s included

• Entrance to Waimea Valley and its botanical gardens.
• flower lei greeting.
• rock oven and kava ceremony demonstrations.
• full island feast.
• mai tai or aloha juice (one, two, or three drinks depending on seating tier).
• Polynesian show featuring dances from Hawaii, Tonga, New Zealand, Tahiti and Samoa.
• fire knife dancing finale.

Options for this experience

3 options

Silver Seating17:00Silver seating for the Polynesian show, with a flower lei, cultural activities, a demonstration and a kava ceremony, plus dinner and 1 drink (1 Mai Tai or Aloha Juice), with admission to Waimea Valley Botanical Garden and Waterfall.

Gold Seating17:00Gold seating area for the Polynesian show, with a flower lei, cultural activities, a demonstration and a kava ceremony, plus a luau dinner and 2 drinks (2 Mai Tai or Aloha Juice), with admission to Waimea Valley Botanical Garden and Waterfall.

VIP Seating17:00VIP seating for the Polynesian show, with a flower lei, cultural activities, a demonstration and a kava ceremony, plus a luau dinner and 3 drinks (3 Mai Tai or Aloha Juice), with admission to Waimea Valley Botanical Garden and Waterfall.

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

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to FridayDeparts at 17:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (21 and older) · Youth (13 to 20 years) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupUp to 300

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go 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 or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 2

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by Toa Luau LLC

Is this one for you?Book Silver or Gold seating if you want the core experience at a lower price point. VIP seating puts you closer to the stage and adds an extra drink. The 12:30pm luau works if you want the afternoon free afterward. The 5pm luau suits a later start to your day. If you're visiting on a Monday, gates open 30 minutes early for luau guests, so you won't lose access to the valley itself.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 20 years); Child (5 to 12 years); Infant (under 5): 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 do I actually drink at Toa Luau, and how many drinks come with my ticket?

Mai Tai or Aloha Juice is included with every seating option. Silver seating includes one drink, Gold includes two, and VIP includes three. You choose your drink type at check-in.

Can I walk around Waimea Valley before or after the luau?

Yes. Entrance to the botanical gardens is included with your luau ticket, so you can explore the 1,800-acre valley, see the tropical plants, and hike to Waimea Falls if you arrive early or stay after the show ends. The gardens close Mondays except June through August, but luaus run every day.

What time should I arrive, and when will I be done?

Check-in is 10 minutes before your showtime. The 12:30pm luau runs until 4pm. The 5pm luau runs until 8pm. Both are approximately three hours from start to finish.

Is there a rock oven demonstration, and what else happens before dinner?

Yes. After check-in and lawn activities, you'll watch the umu (rock oven) demonstration, then participate in a kava ceremony before the feast is served. These interactive demonstrations are part of the cultural experience and happen before you sit down to eat.

Do I need to arrange my own transportation to Waimea Valley?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included with any seating option, so you'll need to drive or arrange your own transport to Waimea Valley on Oahu's North Shore.

What's the dress code, and can I swim at the falls after the luau?

Dress code is casual to aloha wear, no swimsuits allowed. While Waimea Falls is on the property and included with your ticket, the dress code means you cannot swim during or immediately after the luau itself.