Every Monday and Thursday evenings, The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, pays homage to Helumoa, the legendary playground of Hawaiian royalty where the resort now stands, with a modern interpretation of the traditional Hawaiian feast called ‘Aha‘aina, A Royal Celebration. Waikiki’s only oceanfront sit-down vignette dinner show is a culinary and sensory celebration, commemorating Hawaiian culture and transforming the traditional island experience in grand Royal Hawaiian style. Before ‘luaus’ there were ‘Aha‘aina’—a feast of food, mele (song) and hula. In ancient times the Hawaiian people came together to celebrate momentous occasions, these gatherings were called ‘Aha‘aina (which translates to gathering for a meal). The Royal Hawaiian is located on sacred grounds and we have created a modern, yet timeless Aha ‘Aina to honor the land’s majestic history through food, song, stories, hula, and culture—a true celebration of The Royal and its heritage.
Waikiki’s only oceanfront dinner show, A Royal Hawaiian Luau, ‘Aha‘aina is a culinary and sensory celebration, a lavish epicurean journey through time.
Guests experience each culinary exploration station while a storyteller shares the history of the native Hawaiian cuisine and the tale of Helumoa.
The celebration starts from The Royal Hawaiian’s Ocean Lawn, with the breathtaking backdrop of Waikiki Beach and picturesque Diamond Head.