Will Write 4 Travel: Honeymoon in Hawaii (part three): Luau time!

Our last day on Maui started with a going away champagne brunch with all of our guests at Tiki Terrace at the Kaanapali Beach Hotel.

Tiki statue at Kaanapali Beach Hotel

After saying our goodbyes to most of our guests, we headed to Lahaina Town to explore with Rebecca and Chris, my sister and brother-in-law. Our first stop was to the drug store to pick up some essentials like Spam-flavored mac nuts. Just kidding, we didn't buy these.

One of the highlights of Lahaina Town is the banyan tree. This tree is over 130 years old and now is 60 feet tall and has 12 major trunks. It provides shade for a large area and is a nice gathering place.

Banyan tree in Lahaina Town

We spent the rest of the time looking at old architecture, snacking and souvenir shopping.

Lahaina Town

I had my first taste of real Hawaiian shave ice at Annie's. I chose the "Pacific" which has mango, passion fruit, and guava.

Shave ice from Annie's Island Shave Ice

We did some un-fun things that afternoon like shipping things back to DC, doing laundry and checking into our next hotel.

That evening, we joined my parents, brother, aunt and cousin at Old Lahaina Luau. To be honest, the whole set-up had a Disneyland vibe with the millions of workers and buffet line, but I really thought the presentation of the hula was quite beautiful.

Entrance to Old Lahaina Luau

Upon arrival, you are welcomed with a lei greeting and shown to your table. If you arrive early, you have time to wander around the grounds, get boozed up and do some crafts. Here is my mother and me making fresh plumeria hair clips. They smelled like heaven!

Making plumeria clips

With our finished hair clips

At a designated time, everyone gathers around the imu pit to see the uncovering of a whole pig that will be served for dinner.

There's a piggie in there

Unveiling of the kalua pig

Prior to dinner, we also got to watch another Hawaiian sunset.

Old Lahaina Luau at sunset

Next up, lining up in the buffet line with get mass-produced food! I'm exaggerating a little. The whole production was extremely organized and there really wasn't any waiting in line, but I didn't think the food was all that great.

Food from Old Lahaina Luau

Finally was the main event. The dancers presented a variety of traditional hula dances. Old Lahaina Luau is said to be the most authentic luau on Maui, which is the reason why I wanted to go here. I, of course, don't have anything to compare it to but I found it to be very tasteful and well done. Plus, there wasn't any dreaded audience participation! Another thing I enjoyed was that they took you through the various different forms that the hula took throughout history and we also got to see a variety of different tempos, dances and costumes that were used.