The popular Pau Hana Place, Waikiki’s budget-friendly “luau-lite” option, is facing closure due to a decision by the State of Hawaii. With a November 30 deadline, the restaurant and entertainment venue is being shut down, leaving visitors and locals questioning the future of affordable cultural experiences in Hawaii.
For many, this spot provided a low-cost alternative to high-priced luaus like Germaine’s, where tickets start at five times the price.
Non-compliance and violations cited by the state.
The state’s Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) cited violations for not renewing Pau Hana Place’s permit.
These included environmental violations, such as failure to have a proper grease interceptor and non-compliance with their permit’s terms. Other issues were the lack of 24/7 security, unauthorized use of areas outside the permitted parcel, and allowing guests to bring alcohol onto state property.
Despite these concerns, supporters of the venue have testified in its favor both during a recent meeting and online in comments, emphasizing its community value and affordable access to Hawaiian culture.
Feedback and disappointment about Luau-lite.
The feedback we’ve heard from the community highlights the disappointment surrounding the closure. Drew808 commented, “Pau Hana Place might just be an actual authentic Hawaiian experience, a true rarity in Waikiki.”
Others, like Tod, planned visits, stating, “We’ll be staying nearby in October… it has been added to our itinerary.”
The positive reviews reflect the venue’s significance to budget-conscious travelers who want to experience authentic Hawaiian entertainment at a reasonable cost.
Cindy expressed her excitement about discovering the alternative: “Aloha! We have been to the Hale Koa luau a couple of times. This event would have been fine. We plan to check out the new hula show. Mahalo.”
A big loss for budget-conscious Waikiki visitors.
The closure of Pau Hana Place is a significant blow to travelers looking for affordable Hawaii experiences. Priced far below major luaus, it allowed visitors to enjoy live entertainment and local food without breaking the bank.
Many wonder where to find a similarly priced cultural experience in Waikiki. Heather summed it up: “Sounds like a great addition to a Hawaiian vacation.” With its loss, there is a gap that might not be easily filled.
Were there outside pressures from the neighboring businesses?
While no direct evidence supports this, it’s hard to ignore the potential of outside pressures.
The Pau Hana Place is adjacent to the upscale Prince Waikiki Hotel, where high-end restaurants and entertainment are the norm. While staying there, we found this to be a good low-cost alternative.
Could this affordable venue have threatened pricier competitors, including the big luaus?
We can’t say for sure, but some suspect the parking issues and non-compliance concerns that perhaps could have been rectified may instead have been leveraged to benefit the more expensive luau and restaurant market.
This leaves room for speculation on whether the closure serves the interests of businesses in the area or the direction of the state in regard to low-cost tourism, more than it does visitors.
Please share your thoughts?
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Personally, I thought the place was a rip off, but I’m glad it brought you and others some enjoyment. I went a few times as I rented a condo nearby for two years. No doubt, they had a good view on the water. The live music was also a nice touch. The parking lot was convenient. However, some of the people that worked there were very abrasive. Final time I went we noticed the price they charged my group wasn’t accurate, and the servers in the “food truck” made a big scene when we just asked a simple question about it. Now, we hadn’t even paid or gotten our food yet lol. We immediately noticed the price was wrong and politely questioned it. One of them said “that’s just the way it is bro.” Not surprised to read they were violating their permits etc. There was no conspiracy by local businesses to put them out of business lol.
How sad that this place is closing. It seems to me the issues could be worked out with a little effort. It has a real local Hawaiian vibe not found in many places now, family friendly and affordable, great Hawaiian entertainment. Please try harder city of Honolulu and dont knuckle to the big money…please. Barbara
Yep… Must have been cutting into the business of some of the connected cronies… Same as ever, the ordinary folks lose out. I’ve been there and enjoyed it, getting to be a crime nowadays for an establishment to be low cost and fun apparently…
Best Regards
All luaus are a rip-off. Lousy food. Mainly high transportation costs, watered down mai tais. Boring.
We need a lower cost luau there’s been too much gouging already since COVID . People are going to take less vacations or go less days .
This is sad news. I went to Pau Hana, based on Beat of Hawaii’s recommendation, on a recent trip to Waikiki. It was wonderful. While I was there I met a group of locals, mostly women of a certain age, who went there regularly to socialize and dance. Losing Pau Hana will be a big loss to the local community as well as tourists who don’t want to spend a fortune on their vacation. And their numbers are growing!
Sad to hear Pau hanna may have to close we were there in March actually 3 times during our week visit. It was delicious the evening entertainment singers were great. We’re coming back in January for our anniversary was hoping to come and enjoy it again hopefully we will. It was our first meal, our last and an afternoon pineapple slushie. 🍍
It’s always about the money!
Aloha! We visited Pau Hana Place several times and while views great with several food cart options I would not consider it a “luau experience.” I’m all for supporting local and prices undoubtedly lower than hotel and corporate luaus, my most memorable luaus have been at church and nonprofit fundraisers. It takes time to search these out in advance, but so worthwhile!
We have been coming to Hawaii since the 90’s. We usually go to a luau every couple years. Our choice is Paradise Cove. Free hotel pickup and a great show. We have been there over a dozen times. As far as we are concerned, this is the best luau on the island. Just don’t buy the basic package. I like being waited on!
Joe, I totally agree with you about Paradise Cove! My wife and I were married over 8 years ago and we went to Paradise Cove later that afternoon for the show, arts and crafts, the food, and the total immersive experience. When we choose to go, Paradise Cove every time, any more. We have been there a total of 5 times, we also have gone to the Chief’s twice, on the other side of Oahu, but it closed down not long after we went there the 2nd time.
Enjoy it while you can Joe. The location is going to be converted into shopping and dining area.
Hawaii is pricing itself right out of the tourism market. It seems to want to cater to the high end tourist market. That’s a limited market. People on limited budgets will go elsewhere like Mexico that has warm beaches.
Nothing in Hawaii is affordable. Affordable compared to what? The overpriced other Luau’s that charge a couple hundred of dollars per person to attend. The beach experience is why most tourists come and pretty soon the greed of other events will sway travelers to venture to another vacation destination. IMO Hawaii will ask for top dollar with little or no selection of entertainment and pretty soon restaurants. Sad this greed will soon dominate and leave the tourist’s feeling victimized.
Trapped on an island with no choice but stay and pay.
As a guy that moved here a couple years ago and has lived in multiple states and counties I’ve never seen a more incompetent government than Hawaii’s. Yes I’ve lived places with more corruption but never this level of just plain bad judgement.
1) Get told for a decade to cut grass as fire prevention, don’t do it.
2) Think getting rid of 1m+ airbnb condos will result in affordable housing.
3) Can’t manage to run a building dept and issue permits for sometimes years at a time (B.I im looking at you and your non electronic joke of a system)
4) Continue to have your legislative system setup in such a manner that practically asks for corruption (see NYT investigstion).
5) Safety checks on cars…FFs.
6) Let people dump adonded cars all over the place with zero repercussions for the owners
The list goes on but there’s football to watch.
This is very sad! This venue offered reasonably priced food and a convenient location that had improved the existing site considerably! Also a good jumping off spot for boat rides with Pink Sails. Hard to consider this a substitute for a luau though they do have some live music and hula dancing.
These environmental and compliance issues could easily be rectified if they wanted to remain open. The state of Hawaii seems tone deaf to the travel industry who have concluded that Hawaii is unaffordable and unwelcoming to tourists.
As a homeowner in Hawaii this negatively affects our property values in my opinion.
“Low cost tourism” is of less benefit to people who are actually from here than having affordable (as opposed to tourist-priced) dining and entertainment options for people who are actually from here. Not to mention that Pau Hana Place, unlike most of it’s outrageously priced competitors in the area, was also a locally owned and run business.
Honestly, I have never been there. It sounds like a wonderful place and a good time, we certainly would have given it a chance and it sounds like the Hawaiian influences should have been an acceptable alternative. The much lower cost sounds like a great draw. With that said, I have noticed that Anything that challenges the Status Quo, draws money from existing businesses, seems to draw the ire of much of the power structure that runs the Entire Island. It’s Amazing that Code Enforcement came in and closed the business down, where were the Warnings (Citations) that would have to be corrected? I would keep an ear out for a business like this to open within 18 months, they know its a proven money maker!
Aloha – Like the STR ban, the big hotels and other interests are manipulating our local authorities to close down competition at all levels but especially less expensive alternatives to the major corporate interests. The HTA is all about helping major corporations at the expense of local businesses.
Sounds like an envelope of cash changed hands somewhere. Unfortunately this is SOP in Hawaii.
Just remember… Hawaii doesn’t want “budget-conscious visitors.”
I completely understand how you feel. I know a dancer with Germaine’s. It still remains the best luau on the island. Long ride out to Ewa though.