About Luau Kalamaku
Luau Kalamaku at Kilohana Plantation is one of the best luaus on Kauai, offering a fun and memorable evening near Lihue with a Hawaiian buffet, open bar, cultural activities, and an award-winning Polynesian show. Guests can enjoy the traditional imu ceremony, arts and crafts, and even upgrade with a scenic plantation train ride before dinner. With multiple seating options and a spectacular performance featuring hula, music, drums, and fire knife dancing, it is a top choice for couples, families, and groups seeking a full Kauai luau experience.
Set amid the historic beauty of Kilohana Plantation, just outside Lihue, Luau Kalamaku offers a memorable evening filled with island flavors, music, storytelling and Polynesian tradition. The plantation setting gives the experience a special sense of place, with lush grounds, historic surroundings and plenty to enjoy before the main show begins.
Please note that there are several Marriott resorts on Kauai. Guests staying at the Kauai Marriott Resort and Beach Club may find that the luau is closer to the resort than any available pickup location.
Luau Kalamaku is known for its large theatrical production, featuring more dancers and entertainers than any other luau on Kauai. The show was also named “Best Luau Show” by Lonely Planet. Guests can add even more to the evening with an optional train ride through the plantation before dinner.
Before the feast, spend time exploring island arts and crafts demonstrations and watching the traditional imu ceremony, when the kalua pig is lifted from the underground oven. Dinner follows with a generous Hawaiian luau buffet offering something for a wide range of tastes.
As night settles over the plantation, the stage comes alive with music, dance and powerful drumming. The show honors the ancient Polynesian voyagers who crossed the Pacific through courage, endurance and an inner fire of determination. Their journey is brought to life through an inspiring performance that celebrates the history, beauty and spirit of Hawaii.
Luau Kalamaku Highlights
- Hawaiian luau buffet
- Award-winning Hawaiian and Polynesian show
- Open bar
- Hawaiian hula dancers
- Traditional fire-knife dancing
- Hawaiian crafts and cultural activities
Luau Kalamaku Schedule
- 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm: Craft demonstrations and Hawaiian games
- 5:30 pm to 6:10 pm: Kauai Plantation Railway ride, available as an add-on
- 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm: Open bar
- 6:15 pm to 6:30 pm: Imu ceremony
- 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm: Dinner, dessert, live music and hula
- 7:30 pm to 8:15 pm: Main Kalamaku show
- 8:15 pm to 8:30 pm: Photo session with the cast
Luau Packages
Hawaiian Luau Package
The Hawaiian Luau Package includes standard seating for the Luau Kalamaku dinner and show.
Silver Luau Package
The Silver Luau Package includes elevated seating for a clearer view of the stage. From this prime location, guests can take in the music, movement and storytelling of the Luau Kalamaku performance.
Gold Luau Package
The exclusive Gold Luau Package includes premium seating close to the stage. This up-close view places you near the heart of the performance, including the thrilling fire-knife dancing.
Kauai Plantation Railway Train Ride
The train ride is available as an additional upgrade before the luau feast. Travel through 105 acres of Kilohana Plantation, passing plantation homes, forests and fields of pineapple, taro and sugarcane.
Along the way, the train stops near areas where guests can feed wild pigs, goats and sheep, while also seeing cattle, horses, Clydesdales and donkeys. After the ride, there is time to explore the imu ceremony, arts and crafts demonstrations and shops inside the historic mansion.
Luau Kalamaku Menu
Starters
- Potato macaroni salad, vegetarian
- Vegetarian tofu salad, vegan
- Seasonal fruit platter, vegan and gluten free
- Kauai fresh green salad, vegan and gluten free
- Balsamic vinaigrette, vegan and gluten free
Entrees
- Teriyaki chicken
- Kalua pork, gluten free
- Seasonal fish
- Steamed jasmine rice, vegan and gluten free
- Vegetable chow mein, vegetarian
- Sauteed garlic vegetables, vegan and gluten free
- Poi, vegan and gluten free
- Hawaiian sweet rolls, vegetarian
Desserts
- Banana cream tart
- Pineapple upside-down cake
- Haupia coconut pudding
Drinks and Bar
The bar serves traditional tropical drinks, mixed drinks, local beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages.
Manor House Experience
The Manor House Experience pairs the Luau Kalamaku show with an elegant four-course dinner at Gaylord’s Restaurant at Kilohana. It is a wonderful choice for guests who want to begin the evening with a relaxed dining experience before walking by torchlight to the luau pavilion.
Manor House Menu
| Course | First Choice | Second Choice |
|---|---|---|
| Appetizer | Roasted Vegetable Tartine (df/nf): Avocado puree, pickled red onions and cucumber, fire-roasted squash, zucchini and grape tomato settled on charred brioche alongside baby arugula in lemon and roasted garlic oil | Jumbo Cocktail Shrimp: Poached Cortez shrimp served with guava cocktail sauce |
| Salad | Island Caprese (nf): Vine-ripened tomatoes, mozzarella, basil and mesclun greens, drizzled with balsamic gastrique and served with charred crostini | Caesar Salad (nf/df/gf without croutons): Hearts of romaine tossed in lemon anchovy dressing, drizzled with poi vinaigrette and topped with Parmesan cheese and focaccia croutons |
| Entree | Fresh Catch and Kalua Pork (df/nf/gf): Fresh catch, pan-seared and finished with coconut lemongrass and unagi sauce, alongside kalua pork topped with lomi lomi tomato relish, settled on coleslaw and steamed jasmine rice accented with lemongrass | Short Ribs and Kalua Pork (nf/df/gf): Braised boneless short ribs finished with truffle-yaki sauce and kalua pork topped with lomi lomi tomato relish, settled on coleslaw and steamed jasmine rice accented with lemongrass |
| Dessert | Taro and Hawaiian Sweet Bread Pudding (nf): Taro and Hawaiian sweet bread topped with creme anglaise and seasonal fruits | Profiteroles (nf): Vanilla-flavored ice cream tucked inside pate choux and drizzled with chocolate sauce |
Dietary notations: df indicates dairy free, nf indicates nut free and gf indicates gluten free.
Manor House Schedule
- 5:00 pm: Fresh flower lei greeting and check-in
- 5:15 pm: Champagne reception
- 5:25 pm: Four-course dinner at Gaylord’s
- 6:45 pm: Gallery and boutique shopping
- 7:05 pm: Torch-lit walk to the Luau Pavilion
- 7:30 pm: Premium reserved seating for the show
Please note that menu selections are subject to change based on seasonal ingredient availability.
Where & When
Check-in is at 5:00 pm.
Luau Kalamaku is located at 3-2087 Kaumualii Highway,
Lihue, HI 96766
View Map
If you are on the south or west side of Kauai, head EAST. Kilohana Plantation is located directly after the Kauai Community College on the left-hand side of the road. Look for the white picket fence. The luau is located next to the Kauai Plantation Railway station at the far left end of the parking lot.
Transportation add-on: Transportation is roundtrip and per person. Depending on the location, pick-up is between 3:30 pm and 4:45 pm. Exact times will be emailed to you. If you are not staying at one of the locations listed below, pick-up will be at the closest location to where you are staying.
Pick-up Schedule:
3:30 pm: Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas, front entrance by the valet desk
3:40 pm: Alii Kai Princeville, front lobby near Valet Desk
3:40 pm: Cliffs At Princeville, at the front registration area
3:45 pm: Hilton Garden Inn, at the front lobby
3:45 pm: Bali Hai Villas, meet at the Clubhouse
3:45 pm: Ka Eo Kai, at the Clubhouse
3:55 pm: Kauai Coast Resort (Beach Boy), front of the hotel
4:00 pm: Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach, front lobby
4:00 pm: Anaina Hou Community Park, by the bench at the Park 'n Ride (parking: in the park n' ride)
4:00 pm: Makai Club At Princeville, at the main entrance, road-side
4:05 pm: Waipouli Beach Resort and Spa, at the front of the porte-cochere (public parking: turn right upon entering the property)
4:10 pm: Lawai Beach Resort, at the front of the lobby
4:15 pm: Pono Kai Resort, front entrance
4:15 pm: Koloa Landing At Poipu Beach, at the front entrance on Poipu Road
4:20 pm: Sheraton Kauai Resort, at the sidewalk in front of the Ocean Lobby
4:25 pm: Outrigger Kiahuna Plantation, at the west gate, upper parking lot of the resort
4:30 pm: Kauai Beach Villas, at the office by the stop sign
4:30 pm: Marriott Waiohai Beach Club, at the 4-way intersection off of Poipu Road, prior to the hotel
4:35 pm: Kauai Beach Hotel & Resort, in front of the lobby
4:35 pm: Point At Poipu, on Pe'e Road in front of the hotel
4:45 pm: Royal Sonesta Kauai Resort, front entrance
4:45 pm: Grand Hyatt Regency Kauai, at the Group entrance
Restrictions
There are no specific restrictions for this activity.
Special Notes
A high chair and a mini plate are available upon request for infants.
Please contact us if anyone in your party has special needs. If you require an ADA lift bus, we do require at least 48 hours notice to secure availability. The train ride is ADA accessible.
Operation Days
Tuesday & Friday (and Monday during the summer)
Duration
3.5 hours
Capacity
Approximately 700
