Ka Moana Luau: Oceanfront, Affordable Luau in Honolulu (10% Off!)
It’s hard to find an affordable luau in Honolulu that doesn’t feel like a compromise. Ka Moana Luau is our top pick. Tickets start at $129, the setting is right on the water at the historic Aloha Tower, and the show keeps the whole family entertained from the first drumbeat to the final fire dance.
A quick note: we’ve included a few affiliate links below. Booking through them costs you nothing extra and sends a small commission our way, which helps us keep writing free Hawaii guides. We only ever link to things we’d recommend to a friend. Mahalo! Read about our affiliate policies here.
Activity Overview
If you want a classic Hawaiian luau without the premium price or a long drive out of town, start here. This luau is perfect for those staying in Waikiki. And we love the affordable price and 10% discount!
The luau’s Polynesian show is billed as award-winning, and guests agree it delivers. Ka Moana holds a 4.9-star rating from more than 500 TravelShack customers, who praise the talented performers, funny emcees, and plentiful buffet.
Why We Recommend Ka Moana Luau
The price. The Classic package is $129 for adults, one of the best values among Honolulu luaus. With our exclusive 10% discount, it drops to $116.10. The discount also applies to the Standard and Premium packages.
The oceanfront setting. Most luaus in the Honolulu and Waikiki area are held in hotel ballrooms or on rooftops next to busy streets. Ka Moana is on the grounds of Aloha Tower, the harbor’s historic lighthouse, so you can watch the sun set over the water as the evening begins.
Rain doesn’t cancel the fun. The venue is open-air but covered, so you get the ocean breeze without worrying about a passing shower.
It’s close to Waikiki. Aloha Tower is about 3 miles from Waikiki, roughly 10 to 20 minutes away by taxi or Uber. Luau on the west side at Ko Olina can take an hour each way in traffic, and the Polynesian Cultural Center is even farther.
Plus, transportation is an add-on service for $30 per person.
Packages and Pricing
All four packages include the buffet dinner, a lei greeting, the cultural activities, and the full show. Higher tiers get you closer to the stage and more drinks.
| Package | Seating | Drinks | Lei | Adult price | With 10% discount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VIP (Celebrity) | Center front, table service | Mai Tai welcome drink + 2 drink tickets | Fresh flower | $199 | Not eligible |
| Premium (Splash Premium) | Center back and sides | 2 drink tickets | Fresh flower | $169 | $152.10 |
| Standard (Splash) | Sides | 2 drink tickets | Deluxe shell | $149 | $134.10 |
| Classic (Budget) | Sides, furthest from stage | 1 drink ticket | Classic shell | $129 | $116.10 |
Children cost less. On the Classic package, teens (13 to 17) are $109 ($98.10 with the discount), and kids 4 to 12 are $89 ($80.10). Children 3 and under are free if they sit on a lap. Oahu sales tax is added at checkout.
How to use your discount: At checkout, expand the TravelShack ID field below the total price and enter code KML10. If you’re adding round-trip transportation, use KML10t. The discount doesn’t apply to the transportation cost. You can reserve now and pay later; payment is only due at booking if the luau is within a week.
Arrive When the Doors Open
Check-in runs from 4:45 to 5:15 pm. Get there early, because some of the best parts of the evening happen before dinner. Cultural activity stations open shortly after check-in.
You can learn Polynesian drumming, get a Polynesian ink-stamp tattoo, and make a coconut-leaf headband or flower wristband. It’s hands-on and relaxed, and kids love it.
It’s also the best time for photos while the sun sets over the harbor. A professional photo session is available for an extra fee.
Dinner and Drinks
Dinner starts at 5:30 pm. Chart House, a Waikiki restaurant open since 1969, caters the buffet with island flavors. Highlights include slow-roasted kalua pork, macadamia-crusted mahi mahi with mango salsa, shoyu chicken, lomi lomi salmon, and traditional poi.
For dessert, there’s ube cheesecake, haupia (coconut pudding), and fresh pineapple. A vegan curry is available upon request at checkout.
For a splurge, add the steak-and-lobster upgrade for $40 per person. It’s served at your table and must be booked at least 24 hours in advance.
The bar serves tropical cocktails, local craft beer, wine, and soda, plus mocktails for non-drinkers and kids. That’s a plus over the Polynesian Cultural Center, which is alcohol-free.
The Show
The main show runs from 6:30 to 7:50 pm and tells the story of Hawaii and Polynesia through dance. You’ll see graceful hula, a fierce Māori war dance, and a fire knife finale. Two emcees keep the energy up with plenty of humor and some audience participation, so it never feels like an hour of nonstop hula. Guests of all ages stay engaged, which helps explain the luau’s 4.9-star rating across more than 500 reviews.
Getting There
Ka Moana Luau is at 1 Aloha Tower Drive, Honolulu.
- Shuttle: Round-trip coach bus service from several Waikiki and Ala Moana pickup points is $30 per person. Pickups start around 3:50 pm, and the bus returns around 8:15 to 8:30 pm. Your confirmation email will list your closest stop. Book transportation at least a day ahead if possible.
- Driving: Valet parking is $10 per vehicle, and there are several nearby garages.
- Rideshare: Uber or Lyft from Waikiki typically costs $30 to $50 each way.
- Cruise passengers: From Pier 2, it’s about a 10-minute walk. From Pier 10, the luau is right next to where you disembark. See our Hawaii Cruise Guide if you’re cruising!
The luau runs every day except Tuesday. During the off-season, it also doesn’t run on Saturdays.
Good to Know Before You Go
Ka Moana is a large luau, and with that many guests, it doesn’t feel as intimate as a smaller event. Classic seats are on the sides farthest from the stage, so if you want a close view of the dancers, consider the Standard or Premium package.
If you’d rather have a smaller, more personal evening, we recommend the Diamond Head Luau. It’s held at the same Aloha Tower location on Tuesdays, with an upscale menu and full table service for $245 per person.
A few more tips on the Ka Moana Luau:
- Classic and VIP packages sell out quickly, so book early.
- Book everyone in your group together, or note on your booking that you’re traveling with another party, so you’re seated together.
- The venue is wheelchair accessible. Mention it at checkout so staff can plan your seating.
- Plans can change. Bookings are fully refundable up to 24 hours before the luau.
Is Ka Moana Luau Right for You?
If you want an affordable luau in Honolulu with an oceanfront view, a lively show, and a short trip from Waikiki, Ka Moana Luau is hard to beat. It’s especially good for families, first-time luau guests, cruise passengers, and anyone who wants the full experience for less. If a quieter, more exclusive evening matters more than price, the Diamond Head Luau is worth the upgrade.
About the Ka Moana Luau at the Aloha Tower
Ka Moana means “the ocean” in Hawaiian, and the luau’s show takes guests on a voyage across the Pacific through the dances and chants of Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa, and New Zealand. For years, the luau was held at Sea Life Park on Oahu’s east side. On January 2, 2023, it moved to the grounds of Aloha Tower in downtown Honolulu, where the space was redesigned as a lush, garden-like venue with upgraded seating, lighting, and sound.
The setting is part of Hawaii’s history. Aloha Tower opened on September 11, 1926, at Pier 9 of Honolulu Harbor. At 184 feet, it was the tallest building on Oahu for four decades, and its lighthouse was visible 15 miles out to sea. When every visitor arrived by ship, the tower and the “ALOHA” on its walls were the first welcome travelers saw. Today it’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places, anchors the Aloha Tower Marketplace, and cruise ships still dock at the neighboring piers.
We are affiliate partners with the Ka Moana Luau and TravelShack, which means we receive a small commission for each completed booking made through this site. This is done without any additional cost to you. You can read more about our affiliate policies here. Know that we only recommend activities that we’ve done and trust. Your positive experience and your trust in us mean more than any affiliate commission. By booking through our website, you help us provide free information and videos to help you and other readers plan their perfect Hawaii vacation. Thank you so much for your support — you are amazing!
