Must-see entertainment in Hawaii

  • Tahiti Nui Luau

    Hanalei

    While not as slick as the resort equivalents elsewhere on Kaua‘i, the North Shore’s one weekly luau is everything a Hawaiian luau should be. Housed in a…

  • Duke Paoa Kahanamoku statue on Waikiki Beach in Hawaii

    Kuhio Beach Torchlighting & Hula Show

    Waikiki

    It all begins at the Duke Kahanamoku statue with the sounding of a conch shell and the lighting of torches after sunset. At the nearby hula mound, enjoy a…

  • Old Lahaina Luau

    Lahaina

    From the warm greeting to the feast and hula dances, everything here is premium (including the drinks). No other luau on Maui comes close to matching this…

  • Doris Duke Theatre

    Honolulu

    The Doris Duke Theatre shows an array of experimental, alternative, retro-classic and art-house films, especially groundbreaking documentaries, inside the…

  • Royal Hawaiian Band

    Waikiki

    The Kapiʻolani Park Bandstand is the perfect venue for this time-honored troupe that performs classics from the Hawaiian monarchy era. It’s a…

  • Hilton Hawaiian Village Fireworks

    Waikiki

    Every Friday night, the Hilton Hawaiian Village stages a booming 10-minute fireworks show. Although it's done in conjunction with a touristy luau …

  • Hawaii Theatre Center

    Honolulu

    Beautifully restored, this architecturally significant historic theater is a major venue for dance, music and theater. Performances include top Hawaii…

  • Royal Hawaiian Band

    Honolulu

    Founded in 1836 by King Kamehameha III, the Royal Hawaiian Band is the only band in the US with a royal legacy, and is the only full-time municipal band…

  • Kumu Kahua Theatre

    Honolulu

    In the restored 1871 Kamehameha V Post Office building, this little 100-seat treasure is dedicated to premiering works by Hawaii’s playwrights. Themes…

  • Tapa Bar

    Waikiki

    It’s worth navigating through the gargantuan Hilton resort complex to this Polynesian-themed open-air bar just to see some of the best traditional and…

  • House Without a Key

    Waikiki

    Named after a 1925 Charlie Chan novel set in Honolulu, this genteel open-air hotel lounge sprawls beneath a waterfront century-old kiawe tree (that's…

  • Beach Bar

    Waikiki

    Inside this historic beachfront hotel bar, soak up the sounds of classical and contemporary Hawaiian musicians playing underneath the old banyan tree…

  • Dragon Upstairs

    Honolulu

    Right above Hank’s Cafe in Chinatown, this laid-back hideaway with a sedate vibe and lots of funky stylized masks on the walls and mirrors hosts a…

  • Movie Museum

    Honolulu

    In the Kaimuki neighborhood, east of the UH Manoa campus, watch classics, foreign flicks and indie films – including some Hawaii premieres – in a tiny…

  • Kani Ka Pila Grille

    Waikiki

    Once happy hour ends, the Outrigger’s poolside bar sets the scene for some of the most laid-back live-music shows of any of Waikiki’s beachfront hotels,…

  • Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Concerts

    Hanalei

    Veteran local musicians Doug and Sandy McMaster perform Hawaiian-style slack-key guitar and ukulele year-round in a refreshingly relaxed informal…

  • Palace Theater

    Hilo

    This historic theater is Hilo's cultural crown jewel. Its eclectic programming includes art-house and silent films (accompanied by the house organ), music…

  • ʻAha ʻAina

    Waikiki

    This oceanfront dinner show is like a three-act musical play narrating the history of Hawaiian mele (songs) and hula. The buffet features good renditions…

  • HawaiiSlam

    Honolulu

    Founded and hosted by Kealoha (the Poet Laureate of Hawai`i), HawaiiSlam is the largest registered poetry slam in the world. International wordsmiths,…

  • Feast at Lele

    Lahaina

    Food takes center stage at this intimate three-hour Polynesian luau on the beach. Dance performances in Hawaiian, Maori, Tahitian and Samoan styles are…

  • Hawaiian Brian's

    Honolulu

    The 500-person Crossroads Concert Hall here sees acts of all kinds, especially blues, soul and rock. It's also home to the HawaiiSlam, and there are pool…

  • Diamond Head Theatre

    Oʻahu

    Opened in 1915 and known as 'the Broadway of the Pacific,' this lovely old theater is the third-oldest continuously running community theater in the USA…

  • Arts at Marks Garage

    Honolulu

    On the cutting edge of the Chinatown arts scene, this artist-run, nonprofit community arts center, gallery and performance space puts on a variety of live…

  • Keauhou Shopping Center

    Kona Coast

    This shopping mall has a hula show performed by local dance troupes in the center courtyard on Friday evenings. The dance troupes are local and feature…

  • Waikiki Shell

    Waikiki

    With Diamond Head as a backdrop, this outdoor amphitheater in Kapiʻolani Regional Park sporadically stages hula troupes and twilight shows by megastars…

  • Republik

    Honolulu

    Honolulu's most intimate concert hall for touring and local acts – indie rockers, punk and metal bands, even ukulele players – has a graffiti-bomb vibe…

  • Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra

    Honolulu

    The second-oldest orchestra in the USA west of the Rocky Mountains, the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1900. It plays at the Neal S Blaisdell…

  • Waikiki Starlight Luau

    Waikiki

    Enthusiastic pan-Polynesian show, with buffet meal, outdoor seating at a rooftop venue, Samoan fire dancing and hapa haole (literally, ‘half foreign’)…

  • Jazz Minds Art & Café

    Honolulu

    Hidden back off the street, this brick-walled lounge with an almost speakeasy ambience pulls in top island talent – fusion jazz, funk, bebop, hip-hop,…

  • Nā Leo Manu

    Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

    As part of the park's ongoing celebration of Hawaiian culture and history, the bi-monthly Nā Leo Manu concerts bring talent from across the islands for an…

  • ʻUlalena

    Lahaina

    This Cirque du Soleil–style extravaganza has its home at the 680-seat Maui Theatre. The theme is Hawaiian history and storytelling; the medium is modern…

  • Neal S Blaisdell Center

    Honolulu

    A cultural linchpin, this modern performing-arts complex stages symphony and chamber-music concerts, opera performances and ballet recitals, prestigious…

  • Moana Terrace

    Waikiki

    If you’re in a mellow mood, come for sunset happy-hour drinks at this family-friendly, poolside bar, just a lei’s throw from Kuhio Beach. Slack key…

  • Anna O'Brien's

    Honolulu

    A college dive bar, part roadhouse and part art house, this Irish-themed bar has a club upstairs with live music by local bands. Acts include reggae, alt…

  • Royal Grove

    Waikiki

    This shopping mall’s open-air stage may lack oceanfront views, but Hawaiian music and hula performances by top island talent happen here most evenings…

  • Mo‘oheau Bandstand

    Hilo

    This historic bandstand holds occasional hula shows, band concerts, political rallies and other gatherings. Check the bandstand's Facebook page or local…

  • Manoa Valley Theatre

    Honolulu

    This small community 150-seat theater puts on plays and musicals from mainstream to off-Broadway. It was formed in 1969 by UH Theatre Department grads…

  • Blue Note Hawaii

    Waikiki

    A sophisticated music venue that draws top acts performing blues, jazz, pop, rock, reggae and Hawaiian. There's a dinner option that includes banquet fare…

  • The Hula Lounge

    Hilo

    At the lobby bar at the Grand Naniloa Resort, enjoy live music, a full-service bar, and gorgeous views of Hilo Bay.

  • Voyagers of the Pacific

    Kailua-Kona

    Hula lessons, complimentary mai tais, roast pig, waterfront views and graceful dancers are all part of the show.