| Name: | Raymond T. Kaya |
|---|---|
| Date/Time: | 2009-02-21 at 20:48:31 HST |
| Subject: | Paradise Cove Luau at the Ko Olina Resort |
| Times Read: | [441] since 2009 February 21 |
A couple was visiting from overseas. They wanted to experience a luau, so we asked around and also did a search. We heard that Paradise Cove Luau was a popular one, so we made reservations - there were seven of us, five residents of Hawaii.
We arrived early, picked up our tickets, then waited until they opened at 5 pm. Perhaps those who are part of tours have brochures and/or guides providing explanations, or are otherwise briefed beforehand. For us, however, the only explanation voluntarily given was upon entry - there was a table with drinks, and one type had alcohol, the other didn't.
After that, we were on our own, and whenever we had a question, we had to stop whoever looked like an employee...
Our first question, "Where do we sit?" It turned out we were assigned a secton of a long table. (How were we supposed to know that?)
Next I asked one of the bartenders where dinner was going to be served?" She pointed out an area to her right (more on that later)...
After we settled down with our drinks (I with what looked like non-alcoholic punch), we began wondering what time dinner would start... I flagged down another worker, and she said at 7 pm, so we had a 2-hour wait from the time of our arrival.
There was a stage in front with a microphone, but I guess it wasn't part of the plan to have someone there providing guidance - not even entertainment (not that early anyway). Walking around (because sitting there hungry didn't make sense), we discovered there were various types of "entertainment" going on.
It was still well before dinner, so I stood in one of the long lines to get drinks for some of the others. It moved so slowly that I gave up after many minutes, knowing that dinner would commence before I got a chance to order.
As 7 pm neared, we gathered near the serving area the bartender pointed to earlier. After a few minutes, one of the employees came by and suggested we go back to our seats; they would be calling us by tables to go to the buffet. (How were we to know?)
We were finally guided to an area different from the one at which we previously waited. The food was a disappointment. A companion pointed to a dish, and asked me if it was "poi". I took a second look (I had previously passed it). I guessed it was poi, though it looked watery and flat - not how I'm used to seeing it.
For tourists, if this was their first and only experience eating "Hawaiian" food, then this is unfortunate. If you want to enjoy a show, go see a show. If you want to try good Hawaiian food, go to a restaurant which a local would go to. It's not necessary to combine the two into a "luau" package.
Sorry, but our conclusion, all 7 of us, locals and visitors alike, was that it was an unsatisfying experience - not something we would want to repeat.
Paradise Cove Luau
92-1089 Aliinui Dr
Kapolei, HI 96707-2210
Phone: (808) 679-0003
Raymond T. Kaya
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
www.reikialoha.com/raymond