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If you're like me, you're doing a deep dive into every luau on the island and reading every review so you can decide what to spend your hard earned money on. Look no further. Kaula Luau in Ko Olina truly delivered an unforgettable experience and I will highlight some of the best parts.
First off, it's a new luau (opened February 2026) and differs greatly from traditional luaus. Will get more into it later.
We got the hotel shuttle transfer and even though it ran a little late, we made it to the luau with a lot of time to spare. The bus was luxurious and very comfortable. We were a small group of 8 but our guide Kanoa (Zeek) was very welcoming, funny and attentive.
The gift shop featured only items sourced and made from locals on the island, nothing imported. A lot of cute bags!
The preshow/dinner activities were fun and we learned a lot. Our favorite was the fire baton twirling, dancing with traditional instruments, and throwing a fishing net. The teachers were very friendly and guided us throughout.
There's no buffet, but small huts that serve dishes. You can get seconds... Thirds... Or more. The poke taro chips, grilled chicken and the Hawaiian roll were delightful. Bottled Jason Mamoa water was provided. The wait staff was quick to remove finished plates too! As with any outdoor luaus, there will be bugs. Use bug spray and maybe bring a hand fan to shoo them away.
The preshow featured live singing and hula dancing. It was a good workout for the food we were gonna eat!
You got plenty of time in between the preshow and main show to take pictures with the gorgeous sunset.
The main show was the highlight. The story telling was immersive, engaging, easy to follow and enjoyable for all ages. Felt like watching a theatre show! The production was top notch. A lot of dancing, live singing and high energy. Ended with a bang: fiery fire dancers, including the first female fire dancer!
Book it. There's a lot of love put into the production and it shows 💖
Bring light jacket, sunglasses, bug repellent. Do the tattoo on the outside of arm so it doesn't rub
The bus picked us up and we took a short walk to a trolley, which then took us to the beach. Once you're off, you're greeted with a great angle of the sky and surrounded by cliffs that form the wall of the bay. There are areas of the ocean filled with coral for snorkeling, and areas with close to no coral for those who simply enjoy being in the water. Plenty of space to set up camp, featuring grassy areas and sandy ones for whichever you prefer. Either way, any spot will give you a bright shine from the sun, a short walk to the water, and enough space to relax during your trip.
After the beach, there is a small gift shop and a food court. The gift shop is pretty generic, but features Hanauma trinkets and accessories. The food court has enough food options to keep you full until you get back. I recommend getting the chicken tenders, but ask them to sub out the regular fries with garlic fries. That seemed to be the most popular item there and I saw most people eating that.
Overall, fun beach to visit with a great view of the ocean for pictures.
This tour offers more than just what is on the pamphlet. First of all, the trip to the Dole Plantation provided different attractions that are relaxing and self paced with beautiful backgrounds for pictures. There was a large gift shop for those who enjoy a little vacation shopping with a food court where everyone should try at least one of the special pineapple menu items. Secondly, the stop to Haleiwa was a short distance from Dole, and there's so many shops to visit just by walking in a straight line. If you keep moving, you're bound to find something you that interests you, like the shaved ice, surf shops, and snoopy store. For each stop, the tour provides about an hour or two for you to explore yourselves, which is plenty, so you won't have the feeling have being rushed.
I'm sure you'll enjoy the two main stops of the tour, but what made the trip so memorable is the staff and driver of your bus. Our driver was Marlon, and he made it his second priority to make sure everyone in our group knew what options they had before reaching each stop so that we could plan accordingly once we arrive. Of course his first priority was ensuring our safety and comfort, making the tour easier for us to kick back and enjoy. During the extra free time, he even took us to a nearby coffee shop that grows and grinds their own beans. That's something he added to the tour himself since we had free time, but also because he wanted to show us more of the island. He has an excellent sense of humor, and everyone in our group felt comfortable approaching him. He even speaks multiple languages for the passengers that may not be fully fluent in English. During the stops, I noticed him walking around offering to take family photos, starting conversations with people about the places we visited, and answering any questions they had. He is an amazing driver, awesome tour guide, and overall just a friendly person you'd want to have with you when visiting new places.
It was a wonderful way to be greeted my husband was surprised and touched we had them.
Very chill evening. The crew was very laid back. We hada clear view of the fireworks, all while enjoying the a few adult beverages and making new friends and memories.
The shuttle service was wonderful. People were very friendly. The snorkeling was awesome. Everything went very smooth. Would use this company again and would recommend.
The crew of the Manu Kai, Noa, John, Mark, and Brandon, were clearly experienced with this sensitive and emotional ceremony of leaving our father’s ashes in the waters that he loved. Our family has sailed on this boat many times over the past 4 decades, and the fact that they offer this morning sail was beyond perfect.
They gave us all the time that we needed to watch as our leis and pua surrounded the spot where we left him,gently circling the boat around the area.
The boat was so comfortable and pristine. Launching from Kewalo made it so easy. We plan to go back regularly to honor our dad and spend time on Manu Kai. Mahalo nūnui.
Hanauma Bay was really beautiful and probably one of my favorite places on the trip. The view was amazing, and I took a lot of nice photos just by lying on the grass and looking at the ocean. It felt super relaxing and peaceful. I also saw some really cool fish, which made it exciting and different from just a normal beach.
There were a few things I didn’t like though. The rocks in the water made it kind of hard to walk, and sometimes it hurt my feet. I also didn’t enjoy snorkeling that much, but that was mostly because I felt sick. I think it would actually be really fun if you feel okay.
Be careful when putting on sunscreen and don’t get it too close to your eyes because it really hurts. Also, watch out for mongoose because they might steal your food. I saw it happen to people sitting near us. Overall, Hanauma Bay is an awesome place and I would recommend going.
I went to Pearl Harbor and it was a really interesting place to visit, but there were some parts I liked more than others.
My favorite part was the airplane area. We went to the Top of the Tower (paid extra $10.00 ) and saw 360 degree view of Pearl Harbor. There was one section in the back (kind of like a shed) which I found the coolest planes. I also really liked the submarine. It wasn’t very big, but it was cool because you could see how people actually lived inside. The beds were super small, and it made me imagine how hard life must have been there.
The USS Missouri wasn’t that exciting to me because I didn’t really find anything very interesting there. Also, the bus rides to go back and forth was a little boring and it felt like a waste of time.
One important tip is to eat a good breakfast before you go. Once you start visiting everything, you
Dan was amazing, we had a marvelous time, Dan was patient, knowledgeable, friendly, and fun!
definitely worth the money
This excusion was one of our top experiences during our trip to Oahu. All of the staff was friendly, helpful, knowledgeable and FUN! We had clouds and a little rain but that did not dampen our fun. It was clear that the staff are all professionals, yet they made us feel like long-time friends. They ensured our safety at all times. It was the perfect variety of activities.
We had such a great time on the Full-Day Hawaii Food Tour. Chris was our guide and he absolutely made the experience. He knew so much about the island and the food, and he kept the whole day running smoothly. Every stop was ready for us, no waiting around, just great food and great stories. Couldn’t have asked for a better guide.
If you can request a guide, ask for Chris!
Loved the experience! Once in a lifetime so far. Hope to have a repeat someday!!
Best experience and best driver. All of attended member said it was the greatest.
We had an amazing time. Everyone was super friendly, easy to navigate. Would love to come back again!
Matthew was exceptional - he went out of his way to make our trip memorable- would highly recommend him as a guide
I booked this Luau with our Ko Olina Kaula Kai Sunset Sail and Luau Combo.
https://www.veltra.com/en/hawaii/oahu/a/201093
After checking in around 5:00–5:15pm, we were instructed to board the catamaran while musicians played and welcomed guests. For safety reasons, women wearing sandals or heels were asked to remove their shoes and board barefoot.
There were cookies and chips available for everyone on board, and once most guests had boarded, the bar opened. It was an open bar with options such as lilikoi mai tai, Waianae sunset, piña colada, turtletini, catatonic, and local beers from Kona Brewing. The boat was quite packed, and with only one bartender, the line became very long—so unless you were willing to wait, you could likely only get one or two drinks. They also ran out of chips, so not everyone was able to have some, until the very end when they refilled the table again.
We departed around 5:30pm. Since this was after the days of the storm, the ocean conditions hadn’t fully settled, and the ride was still a bit bumpy. Fortunately, I found a spot at the back of the boat, leaning against the railing and facing forward, which helped with the motion. We were able to spot a few whales, though they appeared only briefly, making them difficult to capture on camera. We returned to the harbor around 6:30pm, so the sailing portion lasted about an hour.
[Reviewed by HawaiiActivities.com Staff]
I booked this Luau with our Ko Olina Kaula Kai Sunset Sail and Luau Combo.
https://www.veltra.com/en/hawaii/oahu/a/201093
Upon arriving from the boat around 6:30 PM, we headed straight to the luau, just in time for dinner.
Their Luau dinner setup is different from a typical Luau. Guests go to multiple food stations and food trucks to select individual menu items. At each station, guests are served a plate of that item. One highlight for me was that the catering is provided by Moani. Moani Island Bistro in Kapolei is one of our favorite weekend spots, so I was especially excited, and the food did not disappoint. Everything served at the luau was delicious.
Regarding seating, since this was an Industry FAM night, I'm not sure if this was normal but there were no assigned seats. Instead, a designated area was reserved for FAM attendees on a first-come, first-served basis. We were seated on the left side of the stage at the last table in the back, but still had a great view.
The stage itself was beautifully designed, very unique and inviting. The storytelling was engaging. It felt like a full production, almost like an outdoor broadway show, with impressive lighting, sound effects, and screen animations, oh and we were surprised to see an acrobatic too! It actually reminded me of “Auana” in Waikiki, almost like a Westside version in Ko Olina. The performance featured a wide range of Polynesian dances, which was fun to watch.
Highly recommended especially for those staying at Ko Olina Resorts or on the West side.
Internet during boat ride
Activities on sandbar ( paddle board, kayaks , snorkeling and tubing)
Friendly stuff
We so enjoyed our evening. The servers were personal and attentive. We could tell the meal time entertainers were having just as much fun as we were. The food was excellent and presentation marvelous. There was ample time to enjoy our meal and table talk. The show did not disappoint us. The singers and dancers keep us engaged and time flew by.
Easy to register but allow extra time to check in.
Dan and Chieko (?) from Hawaii Blue Divers were amazing! This particular company made the entire process our family of 3 as easy as it could be- no need to worry about anything! We had a great ride to and from Hanauma bay, we didn’t have to fuss over securing admission tickets (which I hear are a pain), we were provided with everything needed included tram rides to and from the entrance to the bay. Which was so appreciated after snorkeling 🤿. Dan was incredibly attentive and helpful to me (a scared of natural water, fear of drowning, and uncoordinated 44 year old), as well as to my 9 year old daughter who knows basic swimming concepts but is not yet a full swimmer. We were personally guided and had such a great experience. I cannot speak highly enough of these folks. Incredibly attentive, adaptive and knowledgeable. We clearly had chosen the right company to go with from the ease of entering the park before a HUGE line of white vans, not having to walk down to the bay or back up, snacks and water provided, and no need to deal with the hassle of renting equipment. We didn’t need to do anything beside show up to our pick up spot and have required cash and a change of clothes. They offer wetsuits and I highly recommend getting them for a bit more warmth, protection from getting scratched by coral, and added buoyancy. Make sure to have a good breakfast and hydrate before going, take clothes or a cover up to wear/change into, think about waterproof pouches for phones (not required as Dan did great with photos), towels, and enough cash to pay the entrance fee, rent wetsuits, and provide a BIG tip because you’ll be grateful for the experience. Expect to be tired and thrilled because it is a great snorkeling tour of the bay. Thank you Dan and Chieko!!!
Get the wetsuits!
Was a nice and fun experience never. Weather was really nice in the afternoon. There so much to do and see not enough time for everything lol . We also had a really good tour guid his name was Sam .
This is our third time doing the tour and still nothing short of amazing
This luau was incredible, literally everything was perfect! Book this, You will not regret it!
The Pearl Harbor Tour was everything I hoped it would be. Patrick was our very helpful and courteous bus driver and guide, and he was an excellent stand-in for Bob Hope who couldn’t be there. Patrick regaled us with jokes and historical anecdotes about Honolulu and Pearl Harbor. Though his Elvis Presley and Don Ho imitations need a little work, Patrick made the trip quite enjoyable. I did not previously know about Elvis Presley’s contribution to the Arizona Memorial, nor did I know that the Walmart in Oahu had to keep its Spam under lock and key because it is a highly pilfered item in Hawaii. Mahalo, Patrick.
Bus seats on the driver's right afford the best vantage to take pictures while in the Punch Bowl.
Had a great experience! Was able to contact the Vendor and reschedule time with no hassle. Option of dry or wet landing!
They take excellent pictures for an additional fee but they are worth buying!
Family members not flying, can purchase as an observer and follow along to watch.
Close to Waikiki, easy walk or commute to their location.
Enjoy!
Sam was a great leader and the ranch was a great experience we will never forget !
Captain Jenna, Kaiala and Dez were all awesome! Family friendly! Very accommodating to my kids! So nice, and friendly and the Drinks were wonderful! Great views of Diamond Head and Waikiki beach. I want to go again!!!!!! Really really great tour!
Just book the tour!!!!!
Well worth the money. I would highly recommend Dolphin Quest to any animal lover. An experience you will find hard to match.
This was the one excursion that I was looking forward to during my visit. It did not disappoint! Sure the weather could have been better, but the sandbar was just beautiful. The entire staff team was amazing , welcoming, fun, attentive and entertaining. I would highly recommend this sandbar tour and especially this crew.
Bring a spare change of clothes.
