Wait, didn't Paradise Cove close?
Yes. After 47 years, Paradise Cove held its final show on December 31, 2025, and the land in Ko Olina is being redeveloped. If you've seen it recommended in an older guide, that advice is out of date. The good news is that Oahu still has excellent luaus, and Ko Olina now has a newer one, Kaula Lū'au, just down the coast from where Paradise Cove used to be.
Oahu luaus compared
| Luau | Best for | From | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pā'ina Waikīkī | Walkable, prime rib buffet | $180 | Waikiki Beach Marriott |
| Chief's Luau | Best fire knife show | $153 | Kapolei (west side) |
| Experience Nutridge | Best food, small group | $170 | Rainforest above Honolulu |
| Kaula Lū'au | Oceanfront story show | $169 | Ko Olina |
| Mauka Warriors | Best buffet, warrior history | $125 | Kapolei (west side) |
Per adult, plus tax. Prices checked October 2026.
Chief's Luau: the best fire knife show
Chief's is loud, funny and high energy, and the fire knife finale led by the Chief himself is the best on the island. It's held at Wet'n'Wild in Kapolei, so guests staying in Waikiki should add round-trip transportation. It runs Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
Experience Nutridge: the best food
Nutridge feels like a family party on a rainforest estate rather than a dinner show for hundreds. It's small, the food gets the best reviews of any Oahu luau, and it's only about 25 minutes from Waikiki. It runs Tuesday to Friday only, so book your luau night first and plan around it.
Pā'ina Waikīkī: no bus, no traffic
If you'd rather not spend an hour on a shuttle after a beach day, Pā'ina at the Waikiki Beach Marriott is the one. Walk over, eat from a prime rib carving station, enjoy the show, and walk back to your hotel.
Compare prices and book Our three Waikiki picks side by side, with live availability. See the best luaus from Waikiki →Staying in Ko Olina?
Skip the Waikiki options entirely. Kaula Lū'au is the new oceanfront luau right in Ko Olina, created by Native Hawaiians and told as one continuous story. Chief's and Mauka Warriors are each about 10 minutes away in Kapolei. That's an easy evening from Aulani, the Four Seasons or Marriott's Ko Olina Beach Club.
See the best luaus in Ko Olina →
Make it a full day
A luau starts in the late afternoon, which leaves the whole day open. A private island tour in the morning, back at your hotel by mid-afternoon, then the luau in the evening, is one of the best single days you can have on Oahu.
Luau FAQ
What is the best luau on Oahu?
For the show, Chief's Luau. For the food, Experience Nutridge. For convenience in Waikiki, Pā'ina Waikīkī. In Ko Olina, Kaula Lū'au.
Is Paradise Cove Luau still open?
No. Paradise Cove closed permanently on December 31, 2025.
How much does a luau on Oahu cost?
Most luaus with dinner run about $125 to $250 per adult plus tax. Transportation from Waikiki usually adds about $30 to $36 per person.
Do I need transportation to a luau?
Only if the luau is outside Waikiki. Chief's and Mauka Warriors are on the west side and Nutridge is up the mountain, so add the shuttle. Pā'ina is walkable from Waikiki hotels.