Hawai'i Island · Luaus

The best luaus on the Big Island

The Big Island has fewer luaus than Maui or Oahu, but the two worth booking are very good. The Hawaiiloa Luau at the Fairmont Orchid on the Kohala Coast is the special-occasion pick. Saturdays only, oceanfront plantation grounds, kiawe-smoked kalua pork, open bar. Island Breeze runs more nights a week at the Royal Kona Resort right in Kailua-Kona town, and is the most affordable Big Island luau. Both are oceanfront. If you're staying on the Kona side and want the high-end experience, drive up to Kohala for Hawaiiloa. -

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Our top 2
#1

Hawaiiloa Luau

Fairmont Orchid · Kohala Coast

Best Big Island luau. Oceanfront plantation estate, kiawe-smoked kalua pork, open bar. Saturdays only.

$240/ person
4.7· 1,890
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#2

Island Breeze Luau

Royal Kona Resort · Kailua-Kona

Oceanfront luau in downtown Kona. Walking distance from cruise port. Most affordable Big Island luau.

$140/ person
4.6· 3,400
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Ratings shown are a blended average of public reviews from multiple booking and review sites, checked when each tour was listed.

Two islands, two very different luaus

The Hawaiiloa Luau at the Fairmont Orchid runs Saturdays only, on oceanfront plantation grounds on the Kohala Coast, with kiawe-smoked kalua pork and an open bar. It's the special-occasion pick. Island Breeze at the Royal Kona Resort runs more nights a week, sits right in Kailua-Kona town, and is the more affordable and more accessible of the two.

Kona side or Kohala side

If you're staying in Kailua-Kona, Island Breeze is walkable or a short drive and doesn't require a Saturday-only booking window. If you're on the Kohala Coast resorts or want the higher-end night out, the drive to Hawaiiloa is worth it.

Booking tips

Because Hawaiiloa only runs one night a week, it books up faster relative to its limited availability. If your trip includes a Saturday, decide on this one early.

Other Big Island luaus worth knowing about

The Big Island's luau scene is genuinely smaller than Oahu's or Maui's, which is why we only feature two. If neither Hawaiiloa nor Island Breeze fits your dates, most Kohala Coast resorts run their own occasional luau nights, worth a call to your hotel's concierge if you're staying there and want to skip the drive entirely.

Common questions

Which Big Island luau runs more often?

Island Breeze at the Royal Kona Resort runs multiple nights a week. Hawaiiloa is Saturdays only.

Which is the better value?

Island Breeze is generally the more affordable of the two and includes convenient Kailua-Kona town access.

Are both oceanfront?

Yes, both venues sit directly on the water.

Do I need a car for either?

A car or rideshare helps for both, especially Hawaiiloa if you're staying in Kailua-Kona rather than on the Kohala Coast.

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