Now that everyone helped me with my helicopter tour, on to my next question: Is it better to go to a luau in Maui (we are staying overnight) or wait until we get to Honolulu for our 2 night post cruise stay? Any recommendations for specific ones on either island?
Sandy

Hello Sandy,

this question is much more difficult to answer than the helicopter one.

We have done the Luau in Maui, because it was offered from the travel agency close to our hotel.
It was a nice evening. Food wasn´t that good, but the dancers and singers on stage were nice.
But it`s not worth for us to see it a second time.

When you´re in Honululu or Waikiki spend some time walking around in the evening in Waikiki, have fun in a nice beach bar, go to the market in the center of Waikiki, try some food from different asian cuisines (less expensive than eating in a restaurant) and enjoy.

During the day make a tour over the island or when you like shopping take the public bus to Honolulu, there is a big shopping mall (sorry, forgot the name, its 6 years ago).
Marita

I liked the luau we went to and so did my family. WE went to 1 at the Cultural Centre. There are lectures, but you do not have to go to those. Then there are crafts and cooking and dancing classes with an entire show (on water: we show our tapees of these shows to friends when tehy ask before they go tehmselves)of the various polynesian island differences. The actual eating meant more because we understood the meanings of things as our kids went with them to see the pit where the pig was cooked. The kids waited patiently for their fake tatoos (and I must admit, so did I!). They learnt the meanings of the various designs. Now we have Hawaiian themed birthday parties and I make the chicken long rice (actually noodles)and fake it with the pork etc. I am a proud Caribbean islander now living in Canada, with Hakka roots that merge in Hawaii.