Given its prime oceanfront setting, Wailea Beach Marriott Resort and Spa has chosen a fitting theme for its new luau: Te Au Moana (the ocean tide). Clients who book the luau are promised an evening of food and entertainment celebrating the island of Maui and the waters that surround it.
Upon arrival, guests receive a fresh flower lei and listen to live music while participating in interactive Hawaiian crafts like lei making, coconut husking, hula dancing and kapa (bark cloth) printing. They can also watch the unearthing of the imu (underground oven), in which a whole pig is steamed for the traditional luau dish of kalua pork, served in the buffet that evening. Other dinner dishes include teriyaki steak, shoyu (soy sauce) chicken, sautéed fresh mahi mahi with lemon butter, Molokai sweet potatoes, lomi lomi salmon, poi and haupia (coconut pudding).
After dinner, talented performers showcase Polynesian songs and dances in an hour-long show conceived by the respected Tihati Productions of Hawaii. Told in three acts, the show tells the legend of Maui, then goes on to feature dances from Tahiti, Tonga and the Cook Islands, contemporary songs and hula, and daring Samoan fire knife dancers.
Held on the seaside luau grounds of the southwest Maui resort, Te Au Moana is offered every Mon., Thurs., Fri. and Sat. starting at 4:30 p.m.
Prices are $98 per adult and $53 per child (6-12 years) with free admission for children under 5 years.
The Details
Wailea Beach Marriottwww.waileamarriott.com
