‘Auana by Cirque du Soleil at the Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel

ʻAuana pairs Cirque du Soleil acrobatics with stories rooted in Hawaiʻi, from Maui pulling the islands from the sea to surfers riding waves. It is a stage show with a clear local focus, not a standard circus program with island scenery added as decoration.

I like two things about the idea: hula and Hawaiian music share the stage with high-risk circus acts, and the show moves between folklore, comedy and the era when tourists first flocked to Hawaiʻi. One thing to weigh is seating. The theater is intimate, but a very close or side-on seat may make it harder to take in the full stage.

• Hawaiian stories set the course: The show draws on figures and traditions associated with the islands.
• Several kinds of performance share the bill: Expect hula, singers, musicians, comedians, acrobats and aerial acts.
• The theater is at the Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel: There is no hotel pickup or drop-off with the ticket.
• The show runs about 80 minutes: That is a useful fit for an evening when you want a substantial performance without giving up the whole night.
• Seat location can affect your view: Some audience members prefer the 200-level seats for a wider view of the stage.
• Your ticket covers admission, fees and taxes: Food and drinks are not included.

Hawaiian stories meet Cirque du Soleil

ʻAuana takes familiar Cirque ingredients, including physical feats, music, comedy and striking stage images, and gives them a Hawaiian point of view. Its stories reach from the legendary Maui, who pulls the islands up from the ocean floor, to the Surfriders, who dance on the waves. A later part turns to the Golden Age of tourism, when Hawaiʻi’s beaches drew visitors from afar.

That range matters. The production is not only a display of strength and balance. It uses movement and story to connect the island’s natural world, its folklore and its modern relationship with visitors. You can expect a show that moves between poetic scenes and big physical acts, rather than a lecture about Hawaiian culture.

The performers bring different strengths to the stage. Hula dancers carry the cultural and storytelling thread, while acrobats and aerialists supply the risk and scale. Musicians and singers give the show a live musical presence, and comedians keep the tone from becoming too solemn.

The result aims to entertain first, while giving the audience a particular sense of place. If you want a deep historical account or a traditional hula performance on its own, this is not that. ʻAuana is a contemporary Cirque production, shaped around Hawaiian traditions and stories.

From Maui’s legend to Waikīkī’s tourist era

The show’s sequence covers several sides of Hawaiʻi. The Maui story gives the production a mythic beginning, with a larger-than-life figure tied to the creation of the islands. The Surfriders bring the action to the sea, where dance and athletic movement suggest the relationship between Hawaiians and the waves.

The Golden Age of tourism shifts the focus. Instead of staying in ancient legend, the show looks at the period when visitors came for the beaches. That change in subject gives the performance room for humor and a different kind of spectacle. It also makes the production’s theme broader than folklore alone: Hawaiʻi is presented as a place with traditions, natural beauty and a long relationship with tourism.

You do not need to know the stories in advance to follow the show’s general arc. The experience is built through music, movement, comedy and visual action, so the storytelling is not dependent on a spoken explanation. Still, a little curiosity about local culture will help you notice how the acts connect, rather than seeing them as separate circus numbers.

A cultural production always has to balance respect with showmanship. ʻAuana’s stated aim is to shine a fresh light on Hawaiian culture by bringing local and international talent together. I would go expecting an artistic interpretation, not a definitive account of island history. Its value is in presenting these stories to a broad audience through several art forms at once.

Hula, live music and high-risk acts

The contrast between hula and circus performance is central to the appeal. Hula offers a way to tell stories through gesture and rhythm, while acrobatics and aerial work bring speed, height and physical danger. When those forms sit side by side, the show can shift from a quiet, expressive moment to a heart-thumping stunt without changing its Hawaiian frame.

Music matters just as much. The production includes talented musicians and singers, and the music helps tie the acts together. If you respond strongly to live performance, that is a reason to choose this over a show built only around visual effects. The sound also adds a human element to the spectacle: you are seeing and hearing performers work together, not simply watching a sequence of tricks.

Comedy provides a change of pace. A show with repeated high-intensity acts can become a blur, especially when there is a lot to watch at once. Humor gives the audience a moment to reset before the next feat. The mix of comedy, dance and acrobatics also makes the performance easier to share with family members who may not all be drawn to the same kind of show.

Expect a busy stage. Some audience members describe the action as nearly continuous, with several things competing for attention. That energy is part of the fun, but it may also mean you cannot catch every detail on a first viewing. If you prefer a slower, more contemplative performance, this may feel full-on.

Choosing a seat in an intimate theater

The venue is inside the OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel, and its relatively intimate scale puts the performers close to the audience. That closeness can make acrobatics feel immediate and help comedy land. It also means the view can depend on where you sit, particularly when the action spreads across the stage.

There is no universally agreed seat choice. Some people report a good view throughout the theater, while others advise choosing seats farther back so you can see the whole stage. One specific seating tip favors the 200-level section over the 100-level section, because a close seat may leave you looking upward or make it harder to take in the broader choreography. Treat that as guidance, not a guarantee: the precise sightline depends on your seat and the moment in the show.

A seat near the stage can be thrilling when the performers are close, but proximity is not always the same as the best overall view. A report of bright lights affecting a seat on the second row at the left side is a useful reminder that stage angle matters. If you are sensitive to glare or want a full view of group movement, consider favoring distance over the very front.

The practical trade-off is simple. Choose close seating if you value immediacy and detail; look farther back if you want to see the staging as a whole. Since the ticket category is selected at booking, check what you are choosing before you pay. The show’s intimate venue is a strength, but it is worth thinking about how you like to watch a performance.

Is ʻAuana good value for your evening?

The ticket includes admission to ʻAuana, plus fees and taxes. Food, beverages and hotel transport are not included, so plan those separately. The exact ticket price is not specified here, and the seat category you select will affect what you are buying.

To judge value, think beyond the length of the show. At about 80 minutes, this is a compact evening activity, but it brings together dancers, musicians, singers, comedians and circus performers in a purpose-built production. You are paying for a complete stage experience, not simply a short acrobatic demonstration. If you enjoy live music, physical performance and a strong visual show, that range can make the ticket worthwhile.

The strongest case for the price is the variety. The production moves among hula, Hawaiian stories, comedy, aerial work and acrobatics, so it does not rely on a single type of act. The weakest case is if you only want a traditional cultural performance or a quiet introduction to Hawaiian history. In that case, the Cirque style may feel too theatrical, and another activity may better match your interests.

The show has a 4.9 out of 5 rating from 540 ratings, and 96 percent of participants recommend it. Those figures point to a very strong overall response, though they cannot tell you whether the style suits your taste. I would use them as reassurance, then make the decision based on the combination of performance types and the ticket price you are offered.

Who will enjoy this show most?

ʻAuana suits couples, friends, solo visitors and families looking for an evening performance in Waikīkī. The acts are designed for a broad audience, and the show is described as family-friendly. It can work well for a mixed-age group because there is more than one kind of entertainment on offer: younger viewers may focus on the stunts, while adults may pay closer attention to the music, dance and cultural references.

It is also a good option if you have already seen Cirque du Soleil elsewhere and want a production with a distinct Hawaiian theme. The format will feel familiar if you know the company’s approach to acrobatics and spectacle, but the subject matter gives this show its own identity. It is not merely a touring production transplanted to the islands.

You may want to skip it if your priority is an unadorned, traditional performance or a small-scale cultural talk. The show blends traditions with comedy and theatrical spectacle, which is a different kind of experience. Go for the blend, not for a claim that one performance can explain all of Hawaiian culture.

If you are visiting with children, note the age rule: anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a person aged 18 or older. The show’s family appeal is clear, but each child’s interest in live performance and loud, active staging is different. Use your own judgment about whether an 80-minute production is a good fit.

Practical details before you book

Plan to arrive at the Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel, where ʻAuana is performed. The ticket does not include pickup or drop-off, so you will need to arrange your own way there. Food and beverages are also separate, so decide in advance whether you want to eat before or after the show.

Your ticket is mobile, and confirmation is received at the time of booking. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed, so make sure your date and plans are firm before purchasing. Since the ticket category is chosen during booking, pay attention to the seating option as well as the performance date.

Most people can take part, according to the participation guidance. No further access details are provided here, so if you have a specific need, check directly with the provider before booking. That is especially sensible when seating position could affect your comfort or view.

Should you book ʻAuana?

Book ʻAuana if you want a polished, energetic show that brings Hawaiian stories and performance traditions together with Cirque du Soleil acrobatics, aerial acts, music and comedy. Its strongest qualities are the variety on stage, the clear island focus and the intimate theater setting. The roughly 80-minute running time also makes it an easy fit for an evening in Waikīkī.

Think twice if you want a strictly traditional cultural presentation, need hotel transport or prefer to choose a seat without considering sightlines. If you do book, compare the available categories and lean toward a seat that lets you see the whole stage, especially if you value choreography over being close to the performers. For most people seeking a memorable live show in Honolulu, ʻAuana is a strong choice.

FAQ

How long is ʻAuana?

The performance lasts about 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Where is the show performed?

ʻAuana takes place at the OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel in Honolulu.

What does the ticket include?

It includes admission to ʻAuana in the category selected when booking, plus all fees and taxes.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and beverages are not included.

Is hotel pickup or drop-off included?

No. You need to arrange your own transport to and from the venue.

Can someone under 18 attend alone?

No. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by someone aged 18 or older.

Can I cancel or change my booking?

No. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed.