The Feast at Mokapu Luau in Wailea, Hawaii

Date of Show: Thursday, 10/24/24 Ticket Level: Premium In a nutshell, the Feast at Mokapu Luau at the Andaz Maui Wailea is truly be best luau on all of Maui! It offers some of the most authentic Hawaiian entertainment and story that you will ever find, with a very small crowd and some of the best luau food that you will ever find! This is one luau on Maui that should not be missed out on!!! Now, for my detailed review: Throughout my life, I have had the privilege to attended many luaus throughout the Hawaiian Islands, and most are simply high-cost tourist traps offering long lines, sub-par buffet-style dinners and decent entertainment. During a recent stay at the truly AMAZING Andaz Maui Wailea, I learned that the Andaz now has its own on-site luau, the Feast at Mokapu. This is a wonderful addition, as now guests of the Andaz Maui Wailea do not need to walk to the surrounding Marriott or Waldorf properties and can instead enjoy a luau at their own resort. On Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, you can now enjoy one of the most truly authentic Hawaiian luaus on Maui overlooking the beautiful Wailea Sunsets. And, in addition to being truly authentic in its story and presentation, this is not a luau on a mass-scale like you will find at other Maui Resorts; instead, this is a very small and intimate event, with no long lines or crowds. That smallness in itself makes this one of the most amazing and unique luaus that you will ever experience! Now, despite being a small event, the Feast at Mokapu still offers two seating options, Classic and Premium. While Classic Seating is just fine for many, such seating is at communal tables seating up to eight; while smaller than the communal tables at most luaus, it still lacks privacy and you never know who you will be seated with. Premium Seating, however, allows for a completely private table in the first row, right up against the stage. For a truly relaxing and intimate experience, I would strongly urge you to consider Premium Seating - the view is to die for, and the privacy of your own table makes for a very relaxing evening! I won't sugarcoat it, the Feast at Mokapu is one of the more expensive luaus that you will find on the Islands, but it is certainly worth every penny! Premium Seating will cost $340 per person, while Classic Seating will set you back $280 per person. The small difference in cost is well-worth it to have a private table up-front with the Premium Seating. And, the cost gets you one of the most truly authentic Hawaiian Luaus that you will find, focusing on the story and the people of Maui all while serving you some of the finest luau food that you will ever find! Upon check-in, unlike most luaus, you will not find a long and crazy line; instead, you will find a very wonderful Andaz Host that will greet you with a traditional lei and show you the grounds, provide you with a refreshing welcome beverage -- your choice of alcoholic or non-alcoholic -- and escort you to your table. You are then free to roam the grounds and enjoy the beautiful sunset views that Wailea is known for. Additionally, you will find a number of Hawaiian cultural activities, such as temporary tattoo and craft making, available to you prior to the start of the show. Finally, Pacific Dreams, the wonderful on-site photography company at the Andaz Maui Wailea, provides you will a complimentary photo and free digital download of that photo, which is unheard of at most luaus that try to charge you an arm and a leg for your photo. After exploring the beautiful grassy lawn of the Andaz Maui Wailea, you can make a quick stop at the bar to enjoy all-you-can drink beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, or you can return to your table where your excellent server will get the drinks for you. And, I must emphasize the excellent nature of the serving staff at the Andaz Maui Wailea -- much like when you dine any place on property throughout your stay, your serving staff is nothing but the best! In addition to offering you with some of the best service and staff, the Feast at Mokapu offers you some of the finest luau dining that you will ever experience! Unlike most luaus, where your serving staff releases you table by table to get into a long buffet line, the servers at the Feast at Mokapu actually serve -- they bring excellent portions of truly amazing food out to you in multiple courses throughout the show. This makes for a much more relaxed experience, and you know that you are getting hot and fresh food instead of having to stand in a massive buffet line. Our feast included the following menu experience: FIRST COURSE: -AHI POKE: OGO + KULA ONION + SEA ASPARAGUS + 'ALAE SEA SALT -PA'I 'AI: TRADITIONAL POI FROM WAIKAPŪ -LOMI LOMI: SMOKED SALMON + KULA ONION + POHOLE FERN + HA'IKŪ TOMATO -WAIPOLI GREENS SALAD: OTANI RAINBOW CARROTS + KULA RADISH WITH PAPAYA SEED DRESSING -GRILLED MAUI GOLD PINEAPPLE WITH LI HING MUI DRESSING SECOND COURSE: -PŪLEHU CHICKEN: ʻALAE SALT + HAWAIIAN CHIMICHURRI -PUA'A KĀLUA: SMOKED HAWAIIAN SALT -KALBI BEEF SHORT RIBS: TOASTED SESAME SEEDS -LOCAL CAUGHT FISH: HERB MARINADE + SHISO-LEMON VINAIGRETTE -MOLOKA'I SWEET POTATO MASH: SEA SALT + COCONUT -JASMINE RICE: COCONUT + LEMONGRASS + GINGER THIRD COURSE: -CHOCOLATE HAUPIA CAKE -POG TART -PINEAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN CAKE As you can see, a very wide selection of truly amazing and authentic Hawaiian cuisine that is some of the finest luau food that you will ever experience. Even if there was not a show, the food and the sunset views of the Feast at Mokapu would make it all worth the cost! But, there is most certainly a show -- and it is one of the best and most authentic luaus that you will ever experience! It is presented in three distinct and separate acts, to coincide with your amazing multi-course meal. The first act shares the story of ancient ties between Hawaii and the South Pacific, the second act honors the great chiefs of Maui, and the third act provides you with a truly authentic and excellent telling of the stories of the Hawaiian cowboys. Then, as with most luaus, the show ends with a spectacular showing of the Samoa fire dance. And, if you think you have seen fire dancing at luaus in the past, you have not seen anything until you have seen how truly AMAZING the fire dancers are at the Feast at Mokapu! I have attached numerous photos of this luau -- both the show and its excellent cuisine -- for your review. All-in-all, the Feast at Mokapu at the Andaz Maui Wailea is truly the best luau that you will find on Maui and I cannot recommend it enough! If you are on the fence and think that you have seen all that luaus have to offer, you have not until you have attended the Feast at Mokapu -- make sure not to miss out on this, as it will be one of the most amazing luaus that you will ever experience!!!