by VICTORIA
CTFashionMag.com
Situated at the pristine, picturesque and remarkably breathtaking Sea Life Park in Waimanalo, Hawaii, the Aloha Kai Luau features an incredibly unique, five-star luau experience truly unlike anything else you’ll find on the island.
Guided by the amazing Kei Segawa (our resident activities liaison and expert on all the “Must Sees” on the Island), we made our way to the entrance of the legendary Sea Life Park, eagerly anticipating the iconic meal and production which lay ahead.
Upon our entry to the park, we were greeted by lovely and hospitable luau performers, who smiled warmly and presented us with traditional Hawaiian leis, after which we wound our way through the labyrinth of swaying palm trees, stunning nautical murals and educational aquarium and animal displays to the festive showcase space.
The grounds were bustling with activities, including up-close and personal dance lessons with the skilled and experienced cast of hula dancers (Noelani did an excellent job instructing our group on how to do the traditional dance ”Poi Ball” dance) and classic island games, which provided endless fun and entertainment for the kids and kids at heart.
A personable male hula cast member provided fronds and personalized tutorials on how to create one’s very own Haku (also known as a “Head Lei”), vibrant headpieces that have been utilized to add adornment, beauty, and meaning to luaus, celebrations, and cultural gatherings for many centuries.
The patrons were visibly delighted to indulge in the sight of one of the wily and agile performers climbing a nearby coconut tree with tremendous amounts of ease and grace, after which we were encouraged to meander to our seats for the lively and upbeat opening musical acts.
Soon after, we made our way to the bar to redeem our drink tickets (included in the Gold Package), which we all turned in for the following:
Summer Club brand Lychee Cooler: Sparkling white wine, tropical Lychee, and sunny pink grapefruit.
Tahitian Spritz: A blend of sparkling white wine, sweet pineapple, and tropical vanilla bean.
Pogmosa: A palatable mix of sparkling white wine, tart passion fruit, juicy fresh orange and tropical pink guava.
The Original Koloa brand sparkling Pineapple and Sparkling Guava Rum Cocktail, crafted with care in Imua Hawaii.
Cabernet: Featuring a bold, robust, smoky-yet fruity-blend of flavors.
Sparkling White Wine: An obvious choice for a celebratory occasion, this sweet and bubbly wine contains a body of flavor highly reminiscent of champagne.
The buffet, featuring an exciting array of locally sourced ingredients, offered an exhilarating assortment of visually appealing offerings, sure to please even the most discerning “foodie” in your party.
These are a few of the many top notch menu offerings:
GREENS AND SALADS
Tossed greens (Asian or ranch dressing)
Fresh pineapple
Traditional poi
Lomi Lomi salmon
Seasonal salad
STARCH OPTIONS
Sweet rolls
Sweet potatoes
White rice
MAIN DISHES
Kalua pork
Teriyaki chicken
Fresh island catch
Chow mein noodles
Steamed vegetables
Vegetarian curry
DESSERT
Assorted dessert cakes
BAR MENU
A welcome Mai Tai is also included with admission
Island Mai Tais
Wine selection: Sycamore Lane Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sutter Home White Zinfandel
Kona Beers: Big Wave Golden Ale, Longboard Larger, Kona Light Blonde Ale, Seasonal IPA, Wailua Wheat, and Bud Light
Soft drinks: Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Sierra Mist, Hawaiian Sun Passion Orange
Upon conclusion of the absolutely epic all you can eat dinner buffet, this award winning, world class show kicks off with a bang featuring a rousing traditional Samoan dance as well as a wildly unique Coconut shell dance.
An interactive portion of the show allowed the audience to jump to their feet and try out some classic hula moves of their own, whilst being guided by the expert cast of dancers on the technicality and execution of the moves. I was even called up on stage for an audience participation based friendly hula “competition” that placed everyone in a fun and lighthearted mood.
Ample opportunities for audiences to take part in the show were presented throughout the duration of this phenomenal luau experience including a slow dance for couples set to Elvis Presley’s iconic love song “I Can’t Help Falling in Love with You”, and consistent encouragement to jump on your feet and dance to the upbeat and catchy songs on the luau show’s set list.
A pulse pounding Polynesian dance performance built to an epic show finale, bringing to life the ancient dance genre, which is known and loved far and wide for its lightning-fast hip movements, dramatic emotion, and beautiful costumes.
Arguably one of the most climactic moments of the show was marked by the “ tuki-aonae kai” (which is Hawaiian for the “Art of Fire Dancing”), during which audiences were left at the edge of their seats as a daring and burly performer spun, twirled, and swung batons and emblazoned torches etc in rhythmic patterns, creating a bold and visually stunning art form which you truly must see in order to believe.
Special thanks to Ms. Segawa and the entire production company for hosting us at this memorable entertainment extravaganza!
WEBSITE: https://www.alohakailuau.com
PHONE NUMBER: (866) 524-5828
INSTAGRAM: @alohakailuau
