*This web story was originally published in November 2020, and updated in March 2026. The short list was included in our FALL/WINTER 2025 issue. The best lū‘au in Hawai‘i will serve the authentic stuff: succulent kālua pig, creamy haupia and, of course, poi. So if you are lucky enough to get handed that perfect plate, here’s what you’ll be eating: From […]
*This article was originally published on Aug. 29, 2018. You can get a Hawaiian food plate lunch almost anywhere in the Islands, with nearly all of the required fixins (kālua pig, laulau, lomi salmon, etc.). But if we were to craft the best Hawaiian plate ever, here’s where we’d go. 1. Haupia: Yama’s Fish
No trip to Hawaiʻi—especially for first-time visitors—is complete without attending an authentic lūʻau. These immersive gatherings share Hawaiian and often Polynesian history, culture, cuisine and dance to offer a glimpse into local traditions and storytelling. From beachfront settings and mesmerizing performances to flavorful dishes like kālua pork and lau lau, bottomless mai tais, and warm
Many people make the winding trip on Tantalus-Round Top Drive to the top of Puʻu ʻUalakaʻa State Wayside for the panoramic views. Yet, few people—visitors or locals—know about the small-scale lūʻau at the park. The Nutridge Estate is nestled on the slopes of Mount Tantalus, overlooking Honolulu. The estate opened in the 1920s as one
Who doesn’t love a lūʻau? And Oʻahu has some of the best. Don’t believe us? Check out this list, all voted as the best in our 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards. 1. Paradise Cove View this post on Instagram A post shared by Paradise Cove (@paradisecoveluau) Sprawling across a beautiful 12-acre beachfront estate, Paradise
Step back in time and into the heart of Hawaiian hospitality at the Old Lahaina Lūʻau, which reopened its doors on March 12 following a seven-month hiatus. The return of Old Lahaina Lūʻau marks a historic milestone and a beacon of hope after the Aug. 8 wildfire that destroyed Lahaina Town, including homes inhabited by
From Polynesian delicacies to daring fire dances, an authentic Hawaiian lū‘au is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in all that makes Hawaiʻi and our neighboring South Pacific islands so special.
Maui has something for everyone. Hikers can trek through the otherworldly Haleakalā National Park, couples can stroll along Mākena Beach at sunset, families can snorkel near honu (Hawaiian green sea turtles) at Maluaka Beach (aka Turtle Town). Here are 10 essential experiences every traveler should have while on the Valley Isle. 1. Catch Sunrise (or
When vacationing on O‘ahu, visitors almost always include a lūʻau on their to-do list. Add award-winning entertainment, a 750-seat theater and Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson tribute artists to the mix, and you’re in for a memorable one-of-a-kind treat. It’s not every day you get to spend an evening in the heart of Waikīkī, so
The smell of fresh cut flowers fills the air as jubilant ʻukulele melodies provide the soundtrack for a tropical evening. Kālua pork and fresh poi are loaded onto plates and accompanied by sweet mai tais. After a feast of Island cuisine, the heart pounding thunder of drums begins, and an exciting show unfolds for a
