Rock-A-Hula's Terrace Luau Buffet & Show - A Night of Great Food and Entertainment

Rock-A-Hula is a collaboration between Legends in Concert and Star of Honolulu Cruises & Events. Featuring Hawaiian and Polynesian performances along with tributes to some of the world's most legendary artists, the Rock-A-Hula show takes place on the 4th floor of the Royal Hawaiian Center in the 750-seat Royal Hawaiian Theater.

There are several show packages to choose from, ranging from the Rockin' Show (just the show itself) to the Green Room (an ultimate VIP experience including a backstage tour and a 4-course meal), as well as a variety of enhancements that you can add on (e.g. transportation, photo services).

Green Room

Our family had tickets to the Terrace Luau Buffet & Show, which allows guests to enjoy an upscale luau buffet beneath a terrace cabana, while enjoying the cool evening breeze.

The blowing of a conch shell signified that guests could get seated for the luau.

We were offered E Komo Mai Tais (non-alcoholic available for kids) and fresh pineapple slices as we awaited the start of dinner.

E Komo Mai Tai and fresh pineapple slices

After a Hawaiian greeting, guests were directed to the buffet line, which boasted a variety of popular luau faves, such as:

Whole Roasted Luau Pig

Long Rice Salad

Tofu Poke

Island-Style Macaroni Salad

Pacific White Fish with Coconut Curry Sauce

Hulihuli Chicken

Rainbow Sorbet

Coconut Cake

Throughout the luau, dancers performed several numbers, and kids went on a treasure hunt in the theater to get fun prizes!

After the luau, guests made their way into the theater to buy drinks at the bar (you can take the drinks into the theater), browse the memorabilia, or shop the souvenir store.

Lots of memorabilia on display

VIP Lounge Area

One of two bars

After being ushered into our premier seats in the center section of the Mezzanine, the Rock-A-Hula show started just after 8pm, with Elvis Presley (Johnny Fortuno) drifting in on a canoe.

He sang several of his popular hits, many of which reflected his affinity for Hawaii.

A couple of times throughout the show, Elvis walked through the crowd to give lei and kisses. Some audience members were shrieking and excitedly extended their hands to shake Elvis' hand!

Next up was Celine Dion  (Elisa Furr).  Powerful performances had the crowd in awe.  My favorite performance of hers was My Heart Will Go On.

Next up was a fireknife dance performance, which really thrilled the crowd.

Michael Jackson (Corey Melton) wowed the crowd as well.

During his Thriller performance, there were some scary surprises that really got some people screaming!

My favorite moment of the show (which gave me "chicken skin") was when Michael Jackson performed Somewhere Over the Rainbow as a tribute to three special people, one of whom was Bruddah Iz.

Elvis returned to close out the show, and for the finale, all of the performers gathered on stage to sing, and even the ushers joined in from afar!  It was an awesome ending to a great night!

At the end of the show, guests could take photos with the performers.

The tribute artists were fantastic. Not only do they have to look like Elvis, Michael, or Celine, but they have to sing, talk, dance and play instruments as the real performer would.

Throughout each act, video is shown simultaneously that often corresponds with what the artists are doing on stage.  They really have each performer's nuances down!

The tribute artists, dancers, and band delivered remarkable performances that intertwined with elements of Hawaii to create a show that was nostalgic and captivating.

Although my littlest one did fall asleep towards the end of the show (it ended about 9:20pm, and my kids are usually in bed by 8pm!), all of my kids enjoyed the show as much as my husband and I did. My oldest loved Elvis, and there were several times when he got up to dance (and I immediately had him sit down so he wouldn't block the view of the people behind us). Rock-A-Hula is definitely a great show for the entire family.

Through September 30, Rock-A-Hula is offering a "child free" special! The Rockin’ Show package is $55.00 for adults and free for children ages 3-11 with each paid adult. Kama’aina rates are available with a valid Hawaii I.D, and special upgrade prices are available for dinner packages.

I do have to acknowledge just how amazing the entire staff was. The aloha spirit was so obvious, especially throughout the luau, where the staff members were so friendly. Their enthusiasm was infectious, and I could really see how all of the guests were enjoying themselves.

If you're staycationing in Waikiki or visiting Oahu, celebrating a birthday or honeymoon (cake, wine, and champagne enhancements available), or even team-building, take your family, friends, co-workers, or out-of-town guests to Rock-A-Hula for a night of great food and entertainment!

For more information, visit http://www.rockahulahawaii.com/.

Rock-A-Hula
Royal Hawaiian Center

2201 Kalakaua Avenue, Bldg B

4th Floor, Honolu, HI 96815
(808) 629-7469

Mahalo to Rock-A-Hula for sponsoring a portion of our visit.

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Pedal Boat Rental from Waikiki Beach Activities

On a recent staycation, we went to the Duke Kahanamoku lagoon, and the kids were eager to try out a pedal boat after seeing other kids having fun with them on the water.

Waikiki Beach Activities has a rental station at the lagoon, offering not only pedal boats, but also stand up paddle boards, kayaks, rafts, boogie boards, and more.

The kids and my husband decided on a 1-hour pedal boat rental (it was under $40 with a kama`aina discount), and they had fun pedaling around the lagoon.

The pedal boat seats 4, and each of the kids took turns in the front, helping (or pretending to help) my husband pedal the boat.

The 1-hour rental was just enough - as my husband got a little tired pedaling the boat, since my kids had more fun riding in the back than pedaling.

But they all had fun, and the hour went by quickly!

For more information on rates and rentals, click here.

Waikiki Beach Activities
888.904.4088

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An Ocean Adventure on the Manu Kai Catamaran

Our family has staycationed many times in Waikiki, and whenever we'd look down from our hotel's balcony or we'd be playing at the beach, I'd see people enjoying time on catamarans sailing across the waters off of Waikiki.

A couple of weekends ago our family was fortunate to experience a sail ourselves, as we spent time on the Manu Kai Catamaran for an hour long adventure.

The 43 feet long, 22 feet wide Manu Kai catamran was built in 1986, and although it has been operating for several years in Waikiki, it has recently undergone an ownership change.   In December the new Manu Kai launched different types of sails to appeal to a wider customer base, and one of those sails is the Educational Sea Life Tour.

The day of our sail we were experiencing Kona winds, which would mean a bumpy ride, but I was prepared with my ginger candy (to ease any motion sickness), and crossed my fingers I would be fine for the next hour.

We boarded the catamaran, and soon we were sailing out to sea.

The captain navigated the catamaran safely through the surfers and swimmers, announcing by voice and the blowing of a conch shell that the catamaran was coming through.

Before long the hotels of Waikiki grew smaller, as we made our way farther out into the ocean.

Waikiki

Just a few minutes into our cruise we saw honu (turtles).

I spy a honu!

Looking for more honu

We didn't get to see other sea life, but we learned more about the honu and turtle canyon (where most of the honu can be seen), navigating by stars, other sea life that can be found off of Waikiki, and about the ocean in general.

We sailed closer to Diamond Head, and got a great a view of the Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial.

If you book an Educational Sea Life Tour and Akoni is your guide, be sure to ask him how Diamond Head got its name!

The hour seemed to go by very quickly, and although it was a fairly rough ride because of the windy weather, the sun was out, the views were incredible, and it was a really fun ride!

Manu Kai offers many other types of tours.  There are tours in which you can snorkel, swim or simply watch the sunset.  The Educational Sea Life Tour is popular with families, and the Friday Night's Fireworks Cruise is very popular with adults, although kids do go on those tours as well.

Onboard the Manu Kai is a full bar, with juice, drinks, and cocktails ranging from $2 to $7 (they offer a Happy Hour Sail where drinks are 50% off!).

And in case you're wondering, especially if you book a lengthy cruise - restrooms are available on the Manu Kai.  They're tiny restrooms located beneath the seats, and it's good to know that they're there, especially if you've had a cocktail or two.

Our family had a really nice time aboard the Manu Kai.  Although weather conditions weren't perfect, thankfully the ginger candy worked for me and motion sickness didn't hit me (although the last 10 minutes or so my middle son did curl up in my lap - next time I will make sure to give all of my kids ginger candy!).

It was exciting to see all the honu swimming by, and I especially loved getting a different view of Waikiki.  We're always at the beach - it was neat to see the shoreline from out in the ocean!

However, what stood out for me the most about our cruise on the Manu Kai was the crew.

Everyone onboard really exuded the aloha spirit, and I was impressed with how caring they were for my kids.

They held my kids' hands as they walked around the boat, ensuring their safety; they asked my kids questions and kept them engaged; they essentially treated them like `ohana!  

After the sail was done we were brought back to shore with smiles on our faces (well, maybe except for my middle son because of his motion sickness), and fond memories of our time aboard the Manu Kai, and it's all thanks to the amazing crew!

For more information on Manu Kai's activities, click here.

Kama`aina and military discounts available, but must inquire in person at the beach.

Parking:  We parked at the Royal Hawaiian Center, where we had lunch after our sail.  With validation parking was $4 for three hours.

Thank you to Manu Kai for hosting our family.  Gratuity was paid on our own.

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