Lanikai at Kahaluʻu, Kona
A weekly cultural gathering of story, song, movement, and connection to environment through a native lens.
Presented entirely by the practitioners of Hālau Kaʻeaikahelelani (a local hula school), this event directly benefits their supporting non-profit organization to help preserve and teach Hawaiian cultural traditions.
What to Expect
An evening of warmth and meaning
Nā Hana Hawaiʻi
Cultural ActivitiesLearn Hawaiian arts and games.
Moʻolelo
StoriesJourney through the moʻolelo of the ancient sites.
Meaʻai
DinnerA menu crafted for you to experience the flavors of Kona.
Hula + Mele
Dance + SongA cultural presentation honoring Kona.
Hālau Kaʻeaikahelelani
Lanikai at Kahaluʻu, Kona is a three-hour cultural experience that invites guests into a deeper relationship with Hawaiʻi — its people, its history, and its living traditions. It is a gathering grounded in place, lineage, and reciprocity.
Through ʻoli (chant), hula (dance), mele (song), and storytelling, guests are welcomed into a historically significant space rarely accessible to the public. The stories of the aliʻi of this land are shared alongside personal lineage narratives that connect past, present, and future aspirations of Hawaiʻi.
Guests leave not only with greater understanding, but with a sense of contribution — knowing their presence directly supports living culture, community, and cultural education.
What Guests Are Saying
4.9 on Google, 21 reviews
As a Kanaka Maoli, I don't take spaces like this lightly … What I experienced was something far beyond entertainment. This is a place of aliʻi, a sacred landscape where you are surrounded by the presence of history … You are not just watching a performance, you are standing in a place where our chiefs once lived, ruled, and sustained their people. And you can feel it. … What made it even more meaningful is that the poʻe performing are ʻohana, people with genealogical ties to that very ʻāina. This is not performance for show, this is culture being lived, practiced, and passed down. The oli, the hula, the storytelling, it all comes from a place of truth.
Amazing experience. It felt like we were invited into the family for an evening. Amazing stories, songs, and dance. You could feel the emotion and connection to the land from our hosts. Then, the food came it was made with pure love.
The tour and luau at Lanikai was an intimate cultural experience. People are always asking online for a "real" luau. This is it.
This isn’t your typical resort luau. This luau is for locals and tourists alike. This luau is very rich with culture and history. Food was amazing!! Small and more intimate than commercialized luaus. More of an Ohana vibe. Most all the workers and dancers are all family, which was fun to see. Very good experience.
The best night out with my 14 yr old daughter. We enjoyed strolling along the coastline of Kahaluʻu. We played games, created art, and made a lei. Watched a lot of beautiful and handsome hula dancers take the stage. The food was delicious! Overall, our experience was amazing and definitely would do it again!
What a blessing to enjoy KaeaiKahelelani at Lanikai. … Hula performances by the hālau kept guests captivated. An amazing night!
Such an amazing way to spend an evening in Kona! Highly recommend!!
How the Evening Unfolds
Lanikai at Kahaluʻu, Kona unfolds over an evening designed to be warm, welcoming, and deeply meaningful.
- A traditional welcome protocol to open the gathering
- Place-based storytelling rooted in the history of Kahaluʻu and its aliʻi
- Cultural expressions through ʻoli, hula, and mele
- A shared meal and tasting journey, thoughtfully prepared by a local chef inspired by the food, foliage, and abundance of this land
- Time for reflection, connection, and closing intentions
This is a family-friendly experience, welcoming both visitors and kamaʻāina.
The Setting
The gathering takes place outdoors in Kahaluʻu, Kona, within a culturally and historically significant location not typically open to the public.
The land itself is an active teacher in this experience, grounding every story, movement, and offering shared throughout the evening.
Food as Cultural Expression
Food is offered as a shared experience, an extension of story and place.
Prepared by a culturally connected local chef, the meal highlights flavors inspired by the land and sea of Kahaluʻu. Guests are invited to receive this offering as nourishment, connection, and gratitude.
Reciprocity / Giving Back
Lanikai at Kahaluʻu, Kona is presented by Hālau Kaʻeaikahelelani, a non-profit organization.
Your ticket directly supports the hālau and its cultural practitioners, musicians, chefs, community, and ongoing cultural education and preservation.
This gathering is rooted in reciprocity, ensuring culture is honored, sustained, and carried forward.
Event Details
When
Fridays, beginning March 27, 2026
Time
4:00pm check-in
4:15pm – 7:15pm experience
Where
Kahaluʻu, Kona
(Details upon booking)
Pricing
What to Know
Frequently Asked Questions
Lanikai is a weekly three-hour cultural gathering presented by Hālau Kaʻeaikahelelani. Through ʻoli (chant), hula (dance), mele (song), storytelling, and a locally prepared meal, guests are invited into a deeper connection with Hawaiʻi — its people, its history, and its living traditions.
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM every Friday, with the experience running from 4:15 PM to 7:15 PM at a culturally and historically significant location in Kahaluʻu, Kona. This location is not regularly open to the public and when you visit, we ask that you show added reverence when on the grounds. When traveling on Aliʻi Drive, you will see signage on the road as well as a sign saying Kahaluʻu Makai. There will be someone standing near the guard shack as you enter the parking lot to let you know you have arrived at the correct location. We are located at 78-6741 Aliʻi Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740.
Need a ride? Our transportation partner, King Up Transport, can bring you to Kahaluʻu and back. Book with King Up
Yes. A shared meal prepared by a culturally connected local chef is included with every ticket. The menu highlights flavors inspired by the land and sea of Kahaluʻu, Kona.
Absolutely. Lanikai welcomes families of all ages. Children ages 5–12 have a reduced ticket price, and keiki ages 0–4 attend for free.
Comfortable, casual attire is recommended. The experience takes place outdoors, so dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes suitable for short walking on natural terrain.
Hawaiʻi residents (kamaʻāina) receive a 25% discount on ticket prices. Adult kamaʻāina tickets are $142.50 and kamaʻāina child tickets (5–12) are $71.25. A valid Hawaiʻi ID may be requested at check-in.
The experience takes place outdoors and light rain is part of the natural setting. In the event of severe weather, guests will be notified in advance with options to reschedule or receive a full refund.
The gathering involves short walking on natural ground. If you have specific accessibility needs, please contact us at 808-300-5252 and we will do our best to accommodate you.
Full refunds are available up to 4 days prior to the event. For cancellations within 4 days, tickets may be transferred to another date. Please reach out through your booking confirmation for assistance.
Lanikai is presented by Hālau Kaʻeaikahelelani, a non-profit organization. Your ticket directly supports cultural practitioners, musicians, chefs, the local community, and ongoing cultural education and preservation in Hawaiʻi.