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New “Drums of the Pacific Polynesian Spectacular” Really is SpectacularBy Madelyn Miller
And the best recommendation may come from the neighboring hotels. Seated at our table was a couple who came from the nearby Westin because their concierge told them the Hyatt at the best Luau on the Island. When the competition send their guests, you know the luau is worth seeing,
The imu (Hawaiian earth oven), where the pig is cooked in preparation for the nightly feast, has been moved closer to the beachfront so that guests can gather and easily view this ancient Hawaiian cooking method. The pua is wrapped in banana leaves and covered with hot rocks to cook throughout the day. The evening begins with a lei-greeting and photographs with performers. Guests can stroll through the luau grounds to watch Hawaiian craft-making, see performers climb coconut trees and husk coconuts, play Hawaiian games, take a hula lesson, and participate in other interactive activities. After the Hawaiian pule (blessing), guests are invited to experience a Hawaiian luau buffet featuring specialties such as lomi lomi salmon: a medley of tomatoes, onions and salmon; and kalua pig, just unearthed from the imu. Island desserts are a fitting ending to a great meal—pineapple bread pudding, chocolate macadamia nut pie and a coconut square that is an island specialty. Drums of the Pacific Polynesian Spectacular begins at 5:15 p.m. and concludes at 8 p.m. Cost includes dinner and beverages: $75 for adults ($10 discount for resort guests); $49 for teens, ages 13 to 20; $34 for children, ages 6 to 12; and free for children under age 5. The only complaint I heard about the performance is waiting in line in the heat for the show. Dress comfortably and casually. Sunset Terrace seats 500 people. Reservations are recommended and can be made thought the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa Aloha Services Desk at (808) 667-4727. Even though the crowd is large, it is well-handled by the staff and the buffet line moves well. Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa spans 40 acres in front of Ka‘anapali Beach and includes two acres of streams and waterfalls, a half-acre adventure swimming oasis, a $2 million Asian art collection, and exotic wildlife. The resort has guided wildlife, art and garden tours, catamaran sails and Tour of the Stars, a rooftop astronomy program—all open to the general public. In July 2000, the resort opened Spa Moana, Hawaii’s first oceanfront spa. The 807-room resort offers two challenging golf courses, six tennis courts, four restaurants, two bar/lounges and an outdoor dinner theater. For 2002, nightly rates range from $315 for terrace guest rooms to $630 for Regency Club ocean accommodations. Rates for suites range from $650 for an ocean suite to $3,000 for the Presidential Suite. Packages are available. 1-800-55-HYATT from the U.S. and Canada. For air- or car-inclusive packages, call Hyatt Vacations at 1-800-772-0011. For additional information, visit Hyatt Regency Maui’s Resort & Spa Web site at www.hyatt.com. For More InformationPeople interested in travel to Hawaii on business or holiday can contact: Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau Maui (includes Maui, Moloka'i and Lana'i) - www.visitmaui.com Neighbor Island Web Sites: Big Island -
www.bigisland.org GREAT GUIDEBOOKSHawaii Maverick Guide to Hawaii Lonely Planet Hawaii INSIGHT GUIDE TO HAWAII Gayot Guide to Hawaii HAWAII HANDBOOK Hawaii Travel Smart |
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“Drums of the
Pacific Polynesian Spectacular” luau—an entertainment and dining
extravaganza that attracts sell-out crowds at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort
& Spa is aptly named. Fabulous dancing, great food, and more, adds up to an
unforgettable evening.
The show
features costumes and choreography that represent the islands of the
Pacific: Hawaii, Tonga, Tahiti, Fiji, Samoa, New Zealand and Australia.
The 21-member cast delivers a Polynesian revue that includes a Samoan
fire dance, Fijian spear dance, otea (drum dance), as well as
traditional and contemporary songs and chants from Hawaii and the South
Pacific, with Legi Malic and Johnson Enos as emcees. Fa‘a Tialino—the
legendary fire knife dancer—has starred in the show for 13 years, performing
in more than 300 shows each year. Fa‘a’s spectacular and daring performance
never fails to elicit cheers and many times a standing ovation.