Most people dream of going to Hawaii. Why wouldn’t you; there’s beautiful sunsets, unbelievable snorkeling, palm trees and some of the best sunsets on this planet! Did you know you can see the TeEa O Te Turama Free Hula Show on the Big Island of Hawaii at the Shops at Mauna Lani!
TeEa O Te Turama Free Hula Show on the Big Island of Hawaii at the Shops at Mauna Lani
Of course, a trip to Hawaii would not be complete without going to a Luau or hula show. You get an inside view of the local Hawaiian culture through music and dance.
Each island will have multiple different performances to choose from, so the question becomes which one do you want to see.
Perhaps you want something close, and the hotel you are staying at has one. You may want to see the highest recommended or perhaps you found that pamphlet at the airport with a discount code.
We were on the Big Island of Hawaii when we stumbled across a free hula show. The Shops at Mauna Lani hosts Te‘E‘a O Te Turama, who have two performances each week on Mondays and Thursdays.
The shows are approximately a half-hour in length and have open seating and you often see children playing before the show. They cover dances from Hawaii, Fiji, Samoa, and Tahiti. Most people go to the Foodland grocery store just a few steps away for drinks and snacks for the show. Others stop at one of the local restaurants before or after the show. If you love key lime pie check out Tommy Bahamas Restaurant! They serve amazing desserts and cocktails!
Te‘E‘a O Te Turama is a hula school and has everything from keiki’s (children) to adults. What makes this so special is you get an insight of what hula really is.
The difference is a traditional luau will have a large buffet with Kailua Pork and drinks served before the show. The show will be choreographed and polished giving it the big production feeling. These are fun to see, and I enjoy them also.
The free show put on by Te‘E‘a O Te Turama is put on by students. I love seeing the little Keiki’s get on stage and perform the fireless fire dance! They also put on a great performance! The instructor often comes out telling a story, giving the history and origin of each dance.
I have often seen the students personality come out within their dance. Something will not go as planned and they roll with it and smiles break out all around! They are having fun!
By the end, you will be applauding and wanting more. You will also be seeing when the next show is and making plans for coming back. The performers will wait after the show and take pictures with the guests for that take home photo to show everyone. This is a show guaranteed to please everyone. I have never met a mother, father, or grandparent not applaud for the Keiki dancers, and everyone gets excited about the fire dance. Not only will you be entertained by a great performance but you will also learn about several cultures through the art of hula.
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Marcie W.
Hawaii is one destination we have yet to visit but it is on our travel bucket list. Learning to hula and a traditional luau would certainly both be musts for me, along with an amazing show like this!
Liz Mays
I'd probably see a variety of these types of shows like you do. There's something to be said for a sampler! I've been to a luau in Florida, but I can't even imagine how fabulous it would be in Hawaii.
Tami
I'd love to see the fireless fire dance. The history and origin of each dance is sure to be interesting. Maybe one day hubby and I can sneak away to Mauna Lani.
LadySoda
Hawaii!! my dream place for a vacation! How I wish I'd set foot in it's beautiful beaches one day. They have awesome tradition and dances. I have seen so many hawaiian performances, fire dances and have been pleased with most of them but I bet witnessing it in the very place where it originated is a different story! You are lucky! 🙂
Tammilee
Hawaii is our happy place. There is just something special about being on the islands.
Tiffany
I lived in Hawaii for 2 years and never had the chance to experience this. I know my family and I plan on going back and this will definitely be at the top of my list of things we must experience!
Tammilee
Which island did you live on? I went to school at UH Hilo for a while and lived on the Big Island. I think we see more of the island now as visitors than I did when I lived there. I was always in school or working.
Aileen Adalid
Omg... this looks SO awesome! Hawaii has been a destination that's been on my list for years and after reading your post, I can't wait to be there! This program as well looks really nice and I'll definitely go for a hula show!
rika
I've been to Hawaii.. I took my mom to see the hula dance and dinner. It was very nice and entertaining
Dee
Wow! what a cool experience, Hawaii is always been on my bucket list of places to go. I never knew that there was actually a school that teachers Hula, I think that i s so awesome.
Cara (
This wonderful post reminded me of our recent family vacation to Oahu last October. We did a Luau once again instead of attending a production type Hawaiian show. But we can't help it. We wanted to make sure we had that traditional Luau pig roast! Thanks for sharing!
Donna Ward
Great images and post - Yep - we have been to Hawaii a few times - love those luau and shows - very exciting and fun to see and taste different traditions.
Sicorra
Beautiful pictures! I would love to go there one day.
I know a number of people that live there and I don't think they take advantage of all of the nice attractions there or even realize how good they have it compared to other locations.
JulieD
This is so cool!