Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The elaborate luau at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel.
The largest luau venues are
Germaine's
(
&
800/367-5655
or 808/941-3338;
www.paradisecovehawaii.com
)
, both about a 40-minute drive away from Waikiki on the Lee-
ward Coast. Bus pickups and drop-offs in Waikiki are part of the deal.
Germaine's tries awfully hard and is a much more intimate affair than those legendary
shows on Maui or Hawaii, but the experience is not as complete. Cost for Germaine's is $72
per adult, $62 for 14- to 20-year-olds, and $52 for 6- to 13-year-olds (5-year-olds and young-
er are free)—the prices include tax and transportation. The shows are held nightly from 6 to
9pm.
Paradise Cove, too, is a mixed bag, with 600 to 800 guests a night. The small thatched vil-
lage feels more like a Hawaiian theme park, with Hawaiian games, hukilau net throwing and
gathering, craft demonstrations, and a beautiful shoreline looking out over what is usually a
storybook sunset. Tahitian dance and ancient and modern hula make this a fun-filled even-
ing for those spirited enough to join in. The food is safe, though not breathtaking: Hawaiian
kalua pig, lomi salmon, poi, and coconut pudding and cake, as well as more traditional fare.
Paradise Cove is extremely popular because of its idyllic setting and good entertainment qual-
ity. Tickets, including transportation and taxes, are $82 to $142 for adults, $72 to $127 for ages
