About Experience Nutridge Luau
Experience Nutridge Luau is a unique small-group Oahu luau held at the historic Nutridge Estate on Mount Tantalus. Guests enjoy a kukui nut lei greeting, interactive cultural activities, a farm-to-table dinner, and breathtaking sunset views stretching from Waikiki to Pearl Harbor. With its intimate family-style atmosphere and scenic rainforest setting, it is a memorable choice for couples, families, and groups.
High above Honolulu on the slopes of Mount Tantalus, Experience Nutridge Luau welcomes guests into a peaceful rainforest setting filled with tropical plants, cool mountain air and sweeping views across Oahu’s south shore. From Waikiki to Pearl Harbor and the Waianae mountain range, the scenery stretches across the island and becomes even more beautiful as the sun begins to set.
Unlike larger resort productions, Nutridge offers a small-group, family-style luau where guests can take part in the evening rather than simply watch from a distance. A kukui nut lei and welcome drink begin the experience, followed by cultural workshops, makahiki games and hands-on activities. Guests may also help prepare the traditional imu, the underground oven used to cook the evening’s kalua pork.
The estate sits within Pu’u ‘Ualaka’a Wayside Park, whose name means “rolling sweet potato hill.” Sweet potatoes were grown here during the time of King Kamehameha I. In 1921, Ernest Shelton Van Tassel began planting Australian macadamia nut trees across the property, creating Hawaii Macadamia Nut Ltd., the island’s first macadamia nut plantation. At its height, approximately 2,000 trees grew throughout the Nutridge grove.
The estate’s remarkable views have also attracted well-known visitors over the years, including Clark Gable, Frank Sinatra and Marilyn Monroe. Elvis Presley spent time here while filming “Blue Hawaii.”
Experience Nutridge Luau Highlights
- Small-group, family-style luau experience
- Rainforest setting on Mount Tantalus
- Panoramic sunset views over Honolulu and Oahu’s south shore
- Kukui nut lei and welcome drink upon arrival
- Approximately four hours of cultural workshops, activities and makahiki games
- Opportunity to help prepare the traditional imu
- Limited attendance for close involvement throughout the evening
- Local-style farm-to-table dinner
- Intimate backyard-style celebration of Hawaiian culture and aloha
Experience Nutridge Luau Menu
Salads, Breads and Sides
- Local Nalo greens with lilikoi and pineapple sesame dressing
- Steamed purple uala sweet potatoes
- King’s Hawaiian sweet bread with butter
- Local-style sticky white rice
Main Dishes
- Pua’a lau lau, pork wrapped in taro leaves and steamed until tender
- Kalua pua’a, traditional imu-cooked pork seasoned with Hawaiian sea salt
- Pulehu grilled chicken with sweet and smoky island flavors
- Baked fish in a garlic, lemon and butter sauce
Fruit and Dessert
- Fresh Dole Gold pineapple from Oahu
- Haupia coconut milk dessert
Dietary Requests
Gluten-free, vegetarian and other dietary requests may be accommodated with at least 48 hours’ advance notice. Please add each request beside the guest’s name when making the reservation.
Alcohol Policy
Guests age 21 and older must present a valid photo ID to order or consume alcoholic beverages.
Where & When
ROUNDTRIP TRANSPORTATION FROM WAIKIKI OR CRUISE SHIP PIER
Pick-up is available from select locations in Waikiki and the Honolulu Pier (for cruise ship passengers) with departure times ranging from 3:00 - 3:30 pm (please refer to the pick-up schedule below). Transportation is in comfortable, air-conditioned mini-tour vans. Look for a mini tour van & escort who will be dressed in a red & yellow uniform. The exact departure time and location will be emailed to you. We will select the closest location to your accommodation available.
Pick-Up Schedule:
3:00 pm: Pier 2 Cruise Terminal (521 Ala Moana Blvd)
3:00 pm: Kahala Resort (in front by valet)
3:00 pm: Ala Moana Hotel (next to hotel on Mahukona St)
3:10 pm: Ilikai Hotel (Ala Moana Blvd in front of the flagpole)
3:10 pm: La Croix Waikiki (curbside on Olohana St)
3:10 pm: Hokulani by Hilton (curbside on Lewers St)
3:20 pm: Ross Dress for Less Store (curbside on Seaside Ave)
3:20 pm: Hyatt Regency (Koa Ave by the green awning)
3:30 pm: Hyatt Place Waikiki (curbside on Paoakalani Ave)
DRIVING OUT
Check in at 3:45 pm at Experience Nutridge Luau, 3280 Round Top Dr, Honolulu, HI 96822 View Map
Driving Directions:
Input into GPS Nutridge Estate, not physical address.
From Waikiki, the drive time is about 25 - 35 minutes depending on traffic. We suggest leaving by 3:15 pm.
Heading towards the valley on Punahou St. turn left on Wilder Ave. Turn right on Makiki St and stay on Makiki St which will turn into Round Top Dr. (do not turn onto Makiki Heights Drive). Follow Round Top Dr. for about 5 minutes until you see the Pu'u Ualaka'a State Park (just past the Manoa Valley lookout) Enter through the large yellow gate and drive straight ahead. Parking is outside of the front entrance and is free.
Luau ends at approximately 8:00 pm.
Restrictions
If you have limited mobility, please be sure to let us know. There is an ATV vehicle normally available specifically for the use of transporting guests with mobility issues so they can be with the group and not left out.
Special Notes
Infants do receive their own plate and chair at the luau. On transportation the luau does ask for children ages 0-2 to be placed in the lap of an adult (there are no requirements for child seats for the tour van that is used).
Transportation sells out well in advance. Please book with transportation when making your reservation as you may not be able to add it on later. If you are unable to add to cart, transportation is sold out.
Operation Days
Tuesday through Friday
Duration
4 hours
Capacity
Maximum of 34 guests. Private buyouts may be available at larger group sizes (call for details).
