Mixed Plate Special - Hilton Hawaiian Village's new Waikiki Starlight Luau

Hilton Hawaiian Village's new Waikiki Starlight Luau

Shell lei greeting? Check. Complimentary mai tai? Check. Poi? Check. Grass skirts? Check. Audience participation? Check. Fire knife dance? Check. When the Hilton Hawaiian Village launched its Waikiki Starlight Luau on Feb. 23, the producers made sure to include the basic offerings people have come to expect from a visitor luau.

They also added some amusing extras: a children’s buffet (with tater tots), a Polynesian tatau booth, and a pineapple hoop toss. The dinner buffet featured a host of alternative luau fare including roast pork, huli huli chicken, sushi salad, assorted dim sum, and a Hawaiian paella with Portuguese sausage. The only item conspicuously missing was kalua pig.

If you’ve had the dubious privilege of attending all the major visitor luau, you’ll know that each has its distinct advantages. The Polynesian Cultural Center puts on a tremendous show in a 2,800-seat theatre. Paradise Cove treats guests to gorgeous west side sunsets on its 12-acre oceanfront property. Germaine’s Luau is easiest on your wallet.

It may be the newbie, but the Waikiki Starlight Luau offers something (besides the tater tots) that is hard to beat: location, location, location. And by this, I don’t mean the birds-eye view of Waikiki Beach from the rooftop garden (though a spectacular view, it is, wind gusts be damned); I mean it is within walking distance if you’re staying in Waikiki. It’s hard to pass up this convenience given that PCC is 35 miles from Waikiki, and Paradise Cove and Germaine’s are both 26 miles away. Bonus: After dinner, impress your guests with a visit to the resort’s penguin sanctuary and check out the fish in the koi pond.

The resort is currently offering a 7th night free package that comes with two complimentary luau tickets. Find out more here.

The Waikiki Starlight Luau
Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa
Rooftop Garden
2005 Kalia Road, Honolulu
808-941-5828
www.hiltonhawaiianvillage.com/luau