Waimea Activities

If it’s Tuesday, it’s luau night at the Mauna Kea. Starting at 5:30, walk down to the cliffs of the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel (whether or not you’re staying there), grab dinner from the endless buffet tables, and settle in for the show. The evening’s program includes a dynamic history of the kings of Hawaii, theatrical reenactments of the islands’ legends, and plenty of hula dancing. The highlight for the kids is a toss-up between getting up on stage to learn how to hula dance and watching the fire dancers at the end of the night.

The Mauna Lani Beach Club is an Auberge Resort property, which is to say it’s incredibly luxurious and beautiful. And if you come with kids, you’ll want to head straight to the beach. This is where you’ll meet your guide, jump into a canoe, paddle out to the ocean, and take in a view of Hawaii you can get only from the water. These guided tours are also an opportunity to learn about the history of the island. And perhaps most important of all, learn about all the ways visitors can help the island’s sustainable initiatives.