Reviewed by: Brad McRee
The Smith Luau was an overall extraordinary experience and great value. The evening begins with a tram or walking tour of Smith's Tropical Paradise. The grounds include a wide variety of birds and fish, and labelled foliage. The luau was in a covered open-air pavillion, and preceded by giving thanks for the food and asking God's blessings. The luau was served buffet style, including fish, pork, chicken and beef dishes, and a wide variety of vegetables and desserts. While eating, we were serenaded by a live band, playing traditional Hawaiian music. Following the luau, we moved to a covered open-air amphitheater for a live show, including segments depicting the many cultures of the Hawaiian islands. The staff was genuinely courteous and kind. Overall, this was a thoroughly enjoyable experience, and is highly recommended.
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| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Posted on: | 2008/07/08 |
Reviewed by: Scott Perkins
Two things were very prominent on this excursion.
1) It seemed very focussed on couples. Lots of references for people celebrating engagements, weddings & anniversaries. There was also a special song played so couples could dance together.
2) There were too many add-ons where it seemed really obvious they were trying to get more money out of you ($15 to have your picture taken with some tropical birds for example and also the bar staff trying to talk you into getting the drinks that your free coupon doesn't quite cover). Some of the extra activites were pretty lame and the staff didn't really seemed interested in even pretending to be enthused about being there.
The actual show was pretty good, although it didn't really go on that long. I was at a VIP table and the waiter hovered around and couldn't take your plate so as to start the next course quick enough. No offer of if you would like some more or not despite the fact it was "all you can eat".
I really felt like a bit o
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| Attended as: | Friends |
| Posted on: | 2008/07/06 |
Reviewed by: Mr. Anonymous
I would definately recommend the twilight package. Some of the villages are closed and there is not enough time to do EVERYTHING there is to do, but I could not see staying there all day. The best part is the Horizon's night show; this is FANTASTIC and definately worth it. I feel that the cost is a little high, but it's vacation and this an experience you won't get elsewhere.
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| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Posted on: | 2008/07/06 |
Reviewed by: Mr. Anonymous
This was the second luau that I've attended...it was very good and comparable to the first...the events going on in addition to the luau were an added bonus. Highly recommend upgrading it as we did, we were served our food instead of standing in line, we received a photo that they took at the beginning and the drinks were top of the line. We had front row seating! Made it SO much better for taking photos and viewing the performers! SO glad we upgraded it...worth the extra money :)
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2008/07/05 |
Reviewed by: M & B
Several years ago, I went to a Hawaiian Luau...we ate dinner and watched a show...it was alright. PARADISE COVE LUAU was so much more! I loved it! Before dinner, there were several activities we could enjoy, as we drank our "welcome drink" or used our coupons to have some additional pre-dinner drinks. Activities included: canoe rides, spear-throwing, tatooing, flowered headband/bracelet making, poi practice, and dance lessons. The beach and sunset was beautiful. Negatives: Dinner was okay...my boyfriend liked it, but I'm a little more picky... Some (most) of the drinks required more than just a drink coupon (ie. "one coupon plus $3)...kind of misleading.
Overall, I totally recommend this Luau experience!
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2008/07/02 |
Reviewed by: M & B
Great place to visit! I recommend mapping out your desitnations, so that you don't miss anything...we saw just about everything in the 5 hours we were there (didn't do the night dinner/ show...felt it would be too exhausting after a whole day of show-watching at the center.) Get there early! Enjoy! P.S. If you drive, there are some scenic spots and great beaches in the area.
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2008/07/02 |
Reviewed by: Mr. Anonymous
This was our second time and again thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Food was good. Staff/students were quite helpful and the performers were certainly talented. Our driver was prompt, knowledgeable and went out of his way to be attentive. We definitely recommend this to families of all ages.
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2008/07/01 |
Reviewed by: Steve
Outstanding. One of the highlights of our vacation!!!
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| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Posted on: | 2008/06/30 |
Reviewed by: hana
A trip to Hawaii with my daughter. We came to Oahu, Hawaii Island, and Kauai, looking forward to experiencing Hawaiian culture and nature.
I thought I would just see hula dancing at the Polynesian Cultural Center, but I was amazed by the scale of it. I had no idea about the Polynesian islands, but they recreated entire villages, and I strongly felt the pride and love the islanders have for their culture as they passionately preserve and pass down their traditions. We were captivated and moved by the powerful show.
We learned hula dancing in a Hawaiian village, and it was so much fun that I felt, "I want to learn this from now on!" The guide in the park mentioned they were a "Japanese exchange student," and I felt proud to see Japanese students working hard.
If you come to Hawaii, be sure to stop by; I highly recommend it!
娘とのハワイ二人旅。ハワイの文化と自然に触れる事を楽しみに、オアフ島、ハワイ島、カウアイ島に来ました。
ポリネシアンカルチャーセンターでは、フラダンスを見るのだと思って来ましたがスケールの大きさにびっくりしました。
ポリネシア諸島とは・・・まったく知らない世界でしたが、村ごと再現してあり、島の人たちは島の文化に誇りと愛情を持って伝統を残し、伝えていくと言う情熱を強く感じ、大迫力のショーを見ている自分たちも引き込まれ感激しました。
ハワイの村でフラダンスを教えてもらい、とても楽しく「これから習って見たい!」と言う気持ちになりました。
園内のガイドさんをしていただいた方は「日本の留学生」と聞き、頑張っている日本の学生がいる事を見て誇りに思いました。
ハワイに来たら、ぜひ寄って下さい、おすすめコースです。
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| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Posted on: | 2008/06/30 |
Reviewed by: kakko
I participated in the "All-Day Deluxe" tour to ensure my mother could fully enjoy her first trip to Hawaii! Our guide was Mamoru, a Japanese exchange student who resembled Shun Oguri. He kindly listened to our requests during free time and showed us around the park.
After a buffet-style dinner, we attended the largest show in Hawaii, "Horizon." This was my second visit to the Polynesian Cultural Center, but it was my first time seeing the show, so I was really looking forward to it. Our seats were in the third row from the front, allowing us to see the powerful dances up close, which was truly impressive.
Although I chose this tour for my mother, I enjoyed it to the fullest as well. If you're going to Hawaii, I highly recommend giving it a try!
「初めてのハワイをめいっぱい楽しみたい!!」という母にハワイを満喫してもらうために「昼から満喫、オールデイ・デラックス」ツアーに参加しました。
ガイドは日本からの留学生まもる君。チョット草彅君似の好青年で、フリータイムの時間も私たちのお願いを聞いて園内を案内してくれました。
バイキング形式の夕食の後は、ハワイ最大規模のショー“ホライズン”。
私はポリネシアンカルチャーセンターへの来訪は2回目ですが、ショー観るのは初めてなので楽しみにしていました。席はセンターの前から3列目。力強いダンスを間近で観られ、迫力たっぷりでした。
母のためにと選んだツアーでしたが、私もめいっぱい楽しめました。
ハワイへ行くならぜひお試しください♪
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| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Posted on: | 2008/06/30 |
Reviewed by: Quarnberg/Holdaway
We had a great time. The food was good, the gardens were amazing and the show was awesome. We would do it again no questions about it. The staff was great as well. Thanks for making are trip more amazing.
The Quarnbergs and The Holdaways
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| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Posted on: | 2008/06/30 |
Reviewed by: Rodney
We had purchased the deluxe package. Our seats were in front of the stage and we had meal service instead of having to go through the buffet line. There were plenty of activities to do prior to the show. The show was great with the fire show being the best. The meal was ok not great. Overall we had a great time and would go back.
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| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Posted on: | 2008/06/29 |
Reviewed by: Sherminator
Our family loves the Smith's Family Luau--the gardens are beautiful, the food is excellent & the Smith Family is so nice. This was our 2nd time at this luau & we enjoyed it as much as the 1st. I highly recommend doing the fern grotto cruise & then the luau right after. This was a wonderful family experience!!
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| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Posted on: | 2008/06/27 |
Reviewed by: Rick
My wife and I were disappointed with the buffet that was served. We were expecting traditional Hawaiian food like Kalua pig - but ended up with chicken. On a more positive note, the Polynesian dancing was good.
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2008/06/25 |
Reviewed by: Mary & Ron
We, cannot stop talking about our day. Our guide Melody was more than wonderful. We enjoyed her tremendously,she was so knowledgable it was amazing. Everyone should visit this location. Everyone was friendly and nice.
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2008/06/25 |
Reviewed by: bobbi
you folks do know how to give a great luau. the food was absolutely onolicious especially the lomi lomi, purple potatoes and kalua pig plus all the rest. went back for lomi......!!! you have a great chef!!
now the entertainment.....great!!! your dancers were outstanding, beautiful and handsome. costumes beautiful. i would attend at least every other month if i could. but live on the mainland and now.....air prices too high. really happy that my grand daughter and i were able to make this one.
mahalo for a great job. malama pono........
bobbi and pettie
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| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Posted on: | 2008/06/23 |
Reviewed by: マチャ
I participated in the Twilight Deluxe with my mother. In the evening, a pickup car came, and a Japanese student from the adjacent university guided us along the way, and we arrived at the Polynesian Center in about an hour.
Since the mainland U.S. is on summer vacation, there were only a few Japanese people, and most of the attendees seemed to be American (at least from my perspective).
The fire dance was incredibly exciting, and I enjoyed the hula dance as well. The hula was completely different from the free shows at Waikiki Beach and the hotel; it gave me goosebumps. It's definitely one of the places I recommend visiting when you go to Hawaii.
As for the buffet, it depends on the person, but I think it's better to consider it more of a bonus. There was crab, and my mother was happy to eat it...
Next time, I want to try the afternoon course. I was envious of all the foreigners wearing the same leis around their necks...
By the way, if a review on this website has a rating of 2 stars or lower, it gets deleted. This optional tour was really good, but there were some options that were a bit lacking. I recommend not to rely too much on reviews when participating.
トワイライトデラックスに母親と参加しました。
夕方にピックアップの車が来て隣接している大学の学生さん(日本人でした)が
道中ガイドをしてくれつつ小1時間でポリネシアンセンターに到着。
アメリカ本土が夏休みに入っているということで日本人はちらほら程度。
ほとんどアメリカ人っぽかったです(あくまで私から見て、ですが)。
ファイヤーダンスもすごい盛り上がったし、フラダンスも楽しめました。
フラはワイキキのビーチ、ホテルの無料ショーとは全然違い、鳥肌が立ちました。
ぜひハワイに行ったら訪れて欲しい場所の1つです。
バイキングは人にもよると思いますがおまけ程度と考えていたほうが良いと思います。
カニとかあって母親は喜んで食べてましたが・・・。
次は昼からのコースに参加してみたいです。
外人さん達が皆、首から同じレイをしていてうらやましかったので・・・。
ちなみにこのHPのクチコミは★が2以下になるとクチコミは削除されてしまいます。
こちらのオプショナルは本当に良かったですが中にはちょっと、というオプショナルもありました。
あまりクチコミを信用しすぎず参加されることをお勧めします。
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| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Posted on: | 2008/06/22 |
Reviewed by: Mr. Anonymous
We read some comments about this luau being crowded, so we were expecting really small venue. I think the venue was good size. I guess if you are used to taking up so much space for yourself, you feel very tight, but we were very comfortable. The dancers were awesome, and foods were well prepared. We stayed in Kaanapali, so it was walking distance from our hotel. It's worth it. I'd recommend it to my friends.
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| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2008/06/20 |
Reviewed by: 匿名希望
The whole roasted pig was delicious.
豚の丸焼きはおいしかった。
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| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Posted on: | 2008/06/19 |
Reviewed by: Rene
The Maui Sunset Luau at the Maui Price Makena Resort was outstanding. The food the delicious and the atmosphere most entertaining. We enjoyed it very much!
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| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2008/06/19 |
Reviewed by: Tim and family
I was not happy about the start and end time of the experience. The entire event was over by 8pm, and it was barely dark. The food and the drinks were as expected... good. The performers were very good, but the show lacked the level of audience involvement that I've seen at other events.
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| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Posted on: | 2008/06/19 |
Reviewed by: mayu
I participated for the first time with a friend. Our guide, Steve, was very good at Japanese and had a great sense of humor, making our tour around the park enjoyable!
The night show was especially impressive and breathtaking. I also learned that each island in Polynesia has its own unique greetings and dances. It became a really fun memory! I even want to learn Tahitian dance. I definitely recommend going at least once! Talofa!
友達と2人で初参加しました。ガイドのスティーブ君は日本語がとても上手でユーモアもあって楽しく園内を回る事が出来ました!! とくに夜のショーは凄い迫力で圧巻されました。 ポリネシアにはそれぞれの島で独自の挨拶とダンスがある事も知れたし。すごく楽しい思い出になりました~!! タヒチアンダンス習いたい位です。 一度は是非行く事をおススメします(*^_^*) タロファ!(^^)!
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| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2008/06/16 |
Reviewed by: Jose Mendoza
This has been our third luau. We have been to a luau in Kona and the Old Lahaina Luau. This year my family and I decided to attend the luau at the Polynesian center since we had heard so much of it. Unfortunately, we were not impressed and actually disappointed. We were treated better at the other two luau's, such as free alcohol drinks and hospitality overall. Your dinner was good, and the waitress attended us well. We were disappoin- ted with the show. I felt I was watching a Las Vegas show and not a cultural, narrative, Polynesian history show. My family and I love to see the grass skirt dances and you had very little of it. We also did not like the auditorium ambiance and everyone running to get ice cream.
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| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Posted on: | 2008/06/16 |
Reviewed by: Mr. Anonymous
The Paradise Cove Luau was extremely entertaining! The bus ride to and from paradise cove was more fun than anyone could have possible imgained! They really know how to show everyone a good time!
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2008/06/15 |
Reviewed by: Mr. Anonymous
People at this luau is very friendly and fun. I had this lady who is very funny and made the long bus ride fun. Her name is LeiLani. Hopefully next time you go you would have her as your guide. Very fun to attend, i would do this again.
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2008/06/15 |
Reviewed by: DAvid
This place is beautiful.
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2008/06/10 |
Reviewed by: ayaaya
The Japanese staff provided polite guidance, which was very good. However, being outside from around 2 PM to 6 PM was quite hot and exhausting. The dinner was very delicious. Next time, I would like to visit just for the dinner and the show.
日本人スタッフが丁寧に案内してくれ
とてもよかったです。しかし14時ごろから18時まで
ずっと外にいるため、かなり暑くばて気味でした。
デイナーはとてもおいしいです。
次回はデイナーとショーのみでおとずれたいです。
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| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Posted on: | 2008/06/08 |
Reviewed by: keva
Great entertainment. The food was very good- better than I had expected. Make sure you try the ono!
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| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2008/06/06 |
Reviewed by: akomoko
This is my fourth visit, and my husband’s second to the Polynesian Cultural Center. Here, you can experience the "real Hawaii." The interactions with the audience during the show are the same, so even though I know what to expect, I find myself laughing as if it’s my first time. Above all, the highlight is the night show. The scale, the quality of the dancing—it's mesmerizing. Also, the level of the fire dance performance... I plan to go again.
私は、4度目。夫は、2度目のポリネシア文化センター です。
ここにきたら、”本当のハワイ”を体験できます。
お客さまと、ショーのやりとりも同じものなので、わかっていてもまた、初めてのように笑ってしまいます。
なんといっても、圧巻は、ナイトショーです。その規模、ダンスの完成度、見とれてしまいます。また、ファイアーダンスのパフォーマンスの高さ・・・また行くつもりです。
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2008/06/03 |
Reviewed by: Happy 25th
My husband and I went to Hawaii to celebrate our 25th anniversary. We truly enjoyed the food and entertainment. I would suggest this activity to everyone.. My only comment is that we were not recognized as the others were for celebrating a special event.
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2008/06/01 |
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