Waikiki Lu'au on the Lagoon Premieres at Hilton Hawaiian Village

In conjunction with Tihati Productions, the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa is bringing the lu'au back to Waikiki Beach. The "Waikiki Lu'au on the Lagoon," which premiered in early July, is offered twice weekly – on Sundays and Wednesdays. It includes a festive lei greeting, a spread of lu'au favorites and a spectacular Polynesian extravaganza.

The cost is $95 for adults and $45 for children between the ages of 4 and 12. To purchase tickets, or for more information, call the hotel at (808) 949-4321 and ask for extension 77709. Validated parking is available at the Hilton for $8 for self-parking, or $13 for valet.

I'll be attending the lu'au in September and will bring you a full review and photos later this fall. Here now, though, are the details as given to me by Cynthia Rankin of Hilton Hotels Corporation Hawaii.

Beginning at 5:15 p.m., live music and lei greet guests to the lu'au on The Great Lawn, which is adjacent to the recently rejuvenated Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon. Guests are then encouraged to participate in a variety of interactive games and activities such as a pineapple toss and coconut husking. Setting this lu'au apart from others in Hawai'i is the breathtaking backdrop of the lagoon, providing the perfect site for the lu'au’s signature lagoon procession in which Hawaiian fishermen arrive aboard a canoe signaling the official start of the lu'au. Following their arrival, the fishermen then teach guests to do the "hukilau" dance – a traditional song and dance that talks about fishermen and their catch.

Before partaking in dinner, guests won’t want to miss seeing the pig ceremoniously removed from Hilton’s authentic imu. In the ancient Hawaii, Hawaiians cooked their meats in an imu, or underground oven.

A Hawaiian feast is a must at a traditional lu'au and this lu'au is no different. Hilton Executive Sous Chef Roberto Los Banos, a native of Hawaii, designed the menu that introduces guests to traditional lu'au favorites, including kalua pig, poi, lomi lomi salmon and cold selections such as island-style macaroni salad and seasonal fruit. Other hot items include grilled huli huli chicken, mahimahi with macadamia nuts, creamed spinach, rice and taro and sweet rolls. Desserts include haupia, macadamia nut cream pie, coconut cake and guava cake. No lu'au is complete without a mai tai – each guest receives a complimentary mai tai and soft drink. A limited no-host bar is also available for those wanting additional beverages.

"With the mix of Tihati’s musicians and dancers, together with the Hilton’s renowned cuisine, guests are literally immersed into the host culture through elements important to the Hawaiian people: food, music and dance," said Jon Conching, vice president, sales and marketing, Hilton Hawaii "The unique backdrop of the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon makes the experience unforgettable."

The Great Lawn, adjacent to the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon, serves as the site for many private functions with breathtaking views of the lagoon and the beach. The lagoon re-opened in December 2007 after a yearlong, $15 million restoration project.

Tihati Productions is the largest and longest-running entertainment company in the State of Hawaii. It started in 1969 by Jack and Cha Thompson with a cast of 6, and today, it features 12 major productions across the islands. Tihati prides itself in authentic Polynesian entertainment and currently employs more than 1,000 employees, musicians, singers, dancers and choreographers from every Polynesian island group.

_{Photos courtesy of Hilton Hawaiian Beach Resort and Spa and Tihati Productions}