Diamond Head Luau in Honolulu, HI

Waikiki Aquarium2777 Kalakaua AvenueHonolulu, HI 96815
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Overview

Treat yourself to a traditional Hawaiian experience at Diamond Head Luau, located in the foothills of Diamond Head and on the shores of famous Waikiki. This exclusive luau focuses on personalized interaction, fun activities for the family, and a unique retelling of the Polynesian journey highlighting cultural expressions. A Hawaiian meal is served, too, adding to the exotic appeal of the luau.

Good To Know

from Ashley, one of our Honolulu Travel Experts
  • Show duration: approx. 3 hours.
  • Held beachfront at Waikiki Aquarium.
  • Alcoholic beverages included with show.
  • Hands-on experiences before luau include lei making, Polynesian tattoos, hula lesson and more.
  • Dine on traditional and modern Hawaiian cuisine.

Description

from Diamond Head Luau
Our goal is to create an authentic evening of Hawaiian and Polynesian based experiences and activities for you and your guests. Diamond Head Luau is great for families because of our focus on interactive, cultural activities like: hula lessons, lei making, weaving, ukulele lessons, tattoo, and more!

Following the cultural activities, enjoy a unique Farm to Table buffet offering featuring local ingredients and recipes. As the sun sets on the lawn, our exciting show packed with traditional hula and fire performances begins!

The Waikiki Aquarium is open from 5:20-6:00pm for our guests to enjoy self-guided, exclusive access of the marine life exhibits!

In ancient Hawaii, it was customary to celebrate special occasions with Ohana (family) and friends. We at Diamond Head Luau continue this tradition with a menu that is locally grown and prepared right here in Hawaii.
*Menu is subject to change based on seasonality and availability of local ingredients.

Days of Operation: Monday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday
Check-in Time: 5:00 pm
Doors Open: 5:30 pm

Cultural Events: 5:30 pm - 6:15 pm
• Coconut-headband weaving
• Polynesian tattoos (temporary)
• Hula lesson
• Lei making
• Ukulele lesson

Farm to Table:
• Admission to the Waikiki Aquarium (during luau hours)
• Fresh Flower Lei
• Mai Tai greeting
• Two (2) premium drink tickets
• Standard Luau Seating

Farm to Table Menu:
Locally Sourced Ingredients/Organic Whenever Possible

Pupu Station:
Enjoy our fresh pupus (appetizers) while you enjoy your welcome Mai Tais. At the appetizer station, we offer lychee wood-smoked local marlin dip and kalo (taro) hummus *V/GF served with freshly made uala chips (local sweet potato).

Salad Station:
Kula baby romaine Caeser salad with parmigiana cheese slivers and cured akule flakes (Hawaiian smoked meat). Maui baby green salad with cherry tomatoes and fresh cucumbers from Ho Farms dressed with your choice of Caesar dressing *GF, EVOO and red wine vinegar or lilikoi vinaigrette *V/GF.

Hot Food Station:
Grilled Bone-In Kalbi Short Rib (Locally Sourced Grass Fed), Huli Huli (Hawaiian Style) Rotisserie Chicken Breast, Vegan Vegetable Curry with Sautéed Tofu Cubes, and Above-ground Kalua Pig carving station.

Fresh Poke:
Featuring homemade poke including limu ahi poke with ginger soy dressing, Lomi salmon shooters *GF.

Vegetable Dishes:
A delicious vegan vegetable curry stew with crispy Aloha Farm Tofu *V/GF and a roasted farmers vegetable medley *V/GF

Island Fruit/Dessert Station:
To satisfy your sweet tooth we offer dessert options including a fresh, seasonal island fruit assortment, traditional Haupia, and our Ono Fruit pie made with ulu (breadfruit), mango and uala (local sweet potato) *V/GF

Non-Alcoholic Drinks:
Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Canada Dry, Bottle Water, Juice (Pineapple, Orange, Guava, Lilikoi Passion, Strawberry Guava).

Drink Menu:
Full Bar with assorted Beer, White and Red Wine, Mai Tai, Mango Daquiri and Blue Hawaii.

Diamond Head Luau Reviews

27 Reviews
 Tripster User Profile Image
Tripster Customer
Naples, FL
1 Review
Verified Traveler
"Not authentic"
October 2019
This luau was nothing like I’ve been to in the past. There was no mention of how the pig is prepared underground which is basically the centerpiece of a luau. Everything felt rushed from the moment we got on the property.
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Tip: There are better luaus for less money.

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Kathy Zeigler Tripster User Profile Image
Kathy Zeigler
matthews, NC
1 Review
Verified Traveler
"Relaxed, smaller Luau"
September 2019
On your first visit to Hawaii, you HAVE to go to a Luau!! But there are so many!! How to choose? Well, I’ve been to the Diamond Head Luau twice!! It’s farm to table, takes place at the aquarium, activities for all ages, great food and entertainment FUN!! Great Luau for people of all ages. You even get to tour the aquarium before the show. You will not be disappointed choosing this smaller, detailed oriented, beautiful location Luau.
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Tip: Dress comfortably, taste everything!

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Kimberly K. Tripster User Profile Image
Kimberly K.
austin, TX
1 Review
Verified Traveler
"Long lines"
September 2019
The setting was lovely, right on the beach. We waited in line for everything - from entering, the mandatory photo (which of course was not included), the line for a drink took most of our night - they need way more staff to handle that number of people at once; then we waited in line for food. We missed the chance to go to the beach for sunset photos because we were still in line for food! The show was nice, food decent. I would have enjoyed a lot more if I didn't spend most of my time in a line.
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Tip: Be patient - lots of waiting

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KAREN MCCARTHY Tripster User Profile Image
KAREN MCCARTHY
Jacksonville, FL
1 Review
Verified Traveler
"Don't waste you time"
August 2019
The whole experience was disappointing. Free parking-yes. Available-no. It's next to Waikiki public beach. All spaces were taken. I booked this venue months in advance. It was more expensive then other offerings in the area. The seating was terrible. I couldn't see the performances. It was like a backyard performance. The fire dance was not on the stage (I assume because the stage is not set up for fire safety). I couldn't see anything. Other performance on the stage was good. The side entertainment-lei making was very nice. The headband was OK. The person helping me left and thrust the material at another individual, I thought rudely. He had to go preform. The person who was doing the "tattoos" didn't answer my question (I asked several times. He was mute. He could talk but refused to answer that question.) about how long it would take to dry as my granddaughter was dressed up in new clothes. The tattoo paint was some kind of cheap crap you buy for 3 years-old to finger paint. The food wasn't anything special. I made those dishes at home. The steak was dry and shoe leather like and grizzle filled. The pork was fatty. The chicken was fine. If you want to have a truly great and exciting experience, go to the Polynesian Culture Center. Pay a few dollars more and have a whole day experience with great entertainment!!!! and food. Also, very educational of the life and history of the islands.
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Tip: Seating was terrible and the food was unedible.

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Joseph Steiner Tripster User Profile Image
Joseph Steiner
grants Pass, OR
1 Review
Verified Traveler
"Diamond Head Luau"
March 2019
Show was well done and entertaining particular with the history of the many South Pacific areas that developed the Hawaiian cultures. The food was o.k for having to prepare for a such large group.
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Tip: Check the weather.

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Sue L. Tripster User Profile Image
Sue L.
NZ
1 Review
Verified Traveler
"Diamond Head Lauau. Opportunities lost. Reserve Direct - faultless"
February 2019
We googled ‘lauau’ to find the best cultural experience. Diamond Head came up and appealed as it was ‘farm to table’, lei from real flowers, and had good reviews. Reserve Direct offered a discount on the rather expensive tickets, it was easy to get to from where we were staying, there was the chance to see the Aquarium within the ticket price - sounded great. We booked. I mistyped my email meaning the e-ticket wouldn’t come to me, but Reserve Direct fixed all that. We arrived a bit early, just as rain set in. Lauau staff managed this really well, got everyone into the Aquarium before the show so we weren’t outside in the rain. The entrance lei of fresh orchids was stunning. Great photos were taken. The show started and the compere got the crowd warmed up, some had clearly already had their three free drinks. The food was average for the price but pleasant enough. But if you want to see Hawai’i culture this isn’t the best place. We got traditional dance from four Polynesian cultures; our own, Aotearoa/NZ, was factually incorrect and became a cultural shambles when some idiot tried to wrestle the taiaha from the pretend warrior. Overall the very small but clearly talented crew didn’t do so well taking on other county’s. Our bad - we expected Hawaii and didn’t realise we’d get Samoan, NZ etc / which we’ve seen performed professionally. We got great views of the Hilton fireworks. Go for the service which was great, and the efforts of the crew, but if you want to know about Hawaiian culture try elsewhere. And if you want to see genuine Maori culture go to the source - Aotearoa/New Zealand.
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Tip: The Hawai’ian cultural experience is ‘light’, they cover other Polynesian countries.

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Jennifer Teague Tripster User Profile Image
Jennifer Teague
Chuckey, TN
1 Review
Verified Traveler
"Awesome"
December 2018
This was an awesome luau and experience. The food was excellent. There was some confusion with our table number and that added some stress to an otherwise stress free event.
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Nader Ghazaleh Tripster User Profile Image
Nader Ghazaleh
San Jose, CA
1 Review
Verified Traveler
"Best Luau in Oahu!"
December 2018
I've gone to several luaus in my life and by far this has been the best one. The food was incredible and entertainment was fun and the activities even more fun. I would definitely recommend this to anyone experience a luau out for the first time or anyone needing a do-over.

What a great educational experience!
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Tip: Great Food, Amazing Ocean front Venue

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Frequently Asked Questions about Diamond Head Luau

What time should we arrive for check-in?
Check-in starts at 5:00 pm and the doors open at 5:15 pm.


What is the difference between Deluxe and VIP seating?
VIP seating includes the first 2 rows in front of the stage, deluxe seating starts on third row and back.

Is transportation included?
No, transportation is not included.


Does my child under 3 years need a ticket?
No, they are free and considered a lap child.


Is the Aquarium included with my luau ticket?
Yes, the Waikiki Aquarium is open until 8:30 pm only for guests of the Luau.


Where is the parking located?
Parking is available through metered street parking on the left-hand (park) side of Kalakaua Ave. A very limited number of free parking stalls are located in front of the Waikiki Aquarium entrance.