For a journey into Polynesian history and culture, just sign up for a seat at the Island Breeze Luau. Held at the Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, this popular show treats you to good eats, endless drinks, and entertainment all along the way. After just one visit, you’ll quickly see why they’ve been applauded as the Best of West Hawaii for over 20 years. But you’ll still find yourself wanting to come back for more by the time the show ends.
Although there are many excellent luaus offered all over the Big Island, this one is truly special due to its sacred location on the former estate of Kamehameha the Great. History flows through the land as a result, adding to the magic of the performance. All throughout the show, the songs and stories will reference the historic buildings, events, and other notable facts, giving you a glimpse into the history of the region.
To go on that educational journey, you’ll need to buy tickets well ahead of time. They only have their Ohana Package available at this time, although they do offer special pricing during the holidays. They’ve temporarily discontinued their Hanohano Upgrade, but it could come back in the future. With your tickets, you get general restaurant seating in the courtyard under the stars. Plus, a buffet dinner and access to the open bar while the show plays on stage.
Once you get your tickets, you’ll want to arrive a bit early, so you don’t miss a minute of the show. You’ll need to check in at the station near the luau grounds, and then head over to the open bar to get your drink. You’ll likely have to stand in line for the bar as all the guests typically go for the drinks upon arrival. Want to keep it alcohol-free? Just ask for Royal Kona coffee, hot tea, or soda instead.
After getting your drinks of choice, just settle in at your table and watch the front for the arrival of the royal court. They are the only luau on the island to bring out the royal court, so this is a special event indeed. Then, you’ll learn how to hula dance and hear stories of the history of the island while they get all the food set up.
The luau dinner buffet follows, letting you savor all the best Hawaiian classics on your own terms. They usually have three buffet stations set up and ready for your visits. The stations allow you to load up on all the fan favorites, like Lomi Lomi Salmon, Kona Coffee BBQ Chicken, and Kalua Pig, of course. They cook their pig all day in the imu starting at 7am, and then only pull it out when it’s fall off the bone tender. Alongside your protein selections, you can add macaroni salad, steamed white rice and so much more.
After eating your fill, kick back and relax while waiting for the main He Ohana Kakou show to start. The performers put on an amazing act, showing off all their incredible dance moves to the sound of drums, chants, and more. The fire dance serves as the grand finale, leaving you at the edge of your seat while you watch the performers’ graceful movements in awe.
Insider Tips:
-They only hold their luau on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings. So, you must plan accordingly to work the experience into the itinerary for your trip.
-Ask to get your parking stub validated, so you can park for free.
-The open bar is accessible for about two hours. There’s no limit to how many drinks you can have during that time.
-They reserve the right to cancel the show due to adverse weather conditions. If that happens, they’ll help you find a good time to reschedule or just issue a refund.