Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
games or various crafts. If you want to get the full experience, then show up at the begin-
ning, but if your main interests are the food, the drinks, and the show, then you can easily
show up an hour “late,” and skip waiting in line or cutting your day at the beach short
without missing much at all.
Of the two lu'aus in Wailea, my top pick is
The Grand Luau at Honua'ula
(3850
Wailea Alanui Dr., 808/875-7710,
www.honuaula-luau.com
,
4pm, $105/adult, $57/child),
because the show focuses more on Hawaiian history as opposed to the general South Pa-
cific. The lu'au takes place on the grounds of the Grand Wailea, and Honua'ula is a name
given to this section of the island by the original Polynesians who migrated here centur-
ies ago. The food and drinks are par for the lu'au course, although the main stage has a
rock wall backdrop as opposed to facing out toward the ocean. Shows run on Monday,
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, although call in advance to double check since
the schedule can sometimes be variable.
Just a few steps down the coastal walkway is the other lu'au in Wailea,
Te Au
Moana
(3700 Wailea Alanui, 877/827-2740,
www.teaumoana.com
, 4:30pm, $104/adult,
$57/child), at the Wailea Beach Marriott. The show times overlap exactly with neighboring
Grand Wailea, and take place on Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings. While
this show focuses more on the dance and mythology of greater Polynesia than specifically
on Hawai'i, it's still a highly entertaining performance—particularly if it's your first lu'au.
As an added bonus, the stage backs up to the coastline in front of the hotel. The backdrop
of the setting sun creates a panorama you would expect from a lu'au in paradise.
Live Music
For live entertainment after the sun goes down, the most popular place in Wailea is
Mullig-
an's On The Blue
(100 Kaukahi St., 808/874-1131,
www.mulligansontheblue.com
,
open
until 1am). This Irish pub is owned by a real Irishman (which means real Guinness on
draft), and aside from the Willie K dinner show, the next most popular evening is on
Sunday when the Celtic Tigers Irish folk band takes to the stage. There are also periodic
performances by award-winning local artists, so pick up a copy of a local entertainment
catalog to see what the happenings are.
Although the live music here is only for happy hour,
Monkeypod
(10 Wailea Ike
Dr., 808/891-2322,
www.monkeypodkitchen.com
,
open until 10:30pm) restaurant in the
Wailea Gateway Center has the best craft beer list in Wailea. There's also an extensive
wine list.
