Ahi Lele Fire Show

We finally got the opportunity to go after months of wanting and we are so glad we did. We even stayed up way past our kids’ bedtimes to do it. The show was so entertaining for us and for our little kids. I’m pretty sure that my 2-​year-​old and my 4-​year-​old will now grow up to become fire dancers. The show is an hour long but it goes by very quickly as there is never a dull moment. I have attended other luaus (even on Kauai) that would put you to sleep. Ahi Lele did not disappoint. Spoiler alert: the fire used in the show is started by rubbing 2 sticks together! Don’t miss it!

This is the real deal — not touristy, culturally authentic and entertaining show and a foodie dinner that can hold its own with the best of San Francisco’s restaurants. Beautiful outdoor setting but protected from the rain, great wines and all for an affordable price. Forget the hotel luaus– come to Ahi Lele instead. Highest recommendation. Wednesdays only — and you can book on Open Table. Don’t miss this show! A must-​see on Kauai.

Our family was looking for a departure from the traditional luau, and we found it. The performances were phenomenal, and held the attention of my 2 young sons. Great show… great night!

A super unique, authentic experience that can’t be missed while on Kauai. The food was very fresh, organic and SO good. Grown on site. We were able to hang around afterwards and meet the families who operate the show — they are such kind, authentic people who have a real passion for the ancient tradition of fire dancing. We took two 4 year old kids and they absolutely loved both the dinner and the show. Plenty of outdoor space for the kids to run around during dinner, too, which was nice.

A couple years ago, my husband and I had the pleasure of watching Coppin Colburn’s Family Hula Hulau at the Mediterranean Gourmet near Hanalei. For this trip, I was hoping to see his family song-​and-​dance luau variety show again, but alas! It is no longer running. As fate would have it, we ran into Coppin Colburn himself at Big Save Market on our first night back in Hanalei and he told us of his new venture: the Ahi Lele Fire Show. And man does he mean FIRE. Fire has its own special dance when used appropriately, and this new venture from Coppin Colburn, family, and friends definitely showcases the awe-​inspiring movement fire adds to Polynesian storytelling.
We signed up for the Wednesday night-​only show. The show is not the traditional Hawaiian luau, but it does offer the same style of story telling, music, and dance, in an even better, more intimate setting. Coppin narrates each performance to provide context and adds his family-​friendly sense of humor and comedy to the show. The show features drums rather than ukuleles and guitars and provides an intense soundtrack for the fire dances. The dancers themselves — men and women — are wonderfully talented.
Food: the food is provided by Kitchen Table and features locally-​sourced ingredients. They don’t skimp on the cocktails (no watered-​down Mai Tais, limit 2, here), and the staff will proudly describe where everything is from if you ask. The menu may change, but we enjoyed passed appetizers of ahi and pork upon arrival at 5:30 pm. The dinner itself, which is uninhibited by sales or show distractions so it feels like dining in a restaurant, consisted of a first course of a tomato-​and-​cucumber salad and fresh ahi, a main of pork, shrimp and starch, and a dessert of coconut panna cotta with pineapple. Satisfying without that salt-​hangover feeling of traditional luau food. Cocktails and beverages offered throughout.
Venue: the venue for dinner and the show are both covered, but outdoors on working farmland. Clothing is casual but you can dress «Hawaii formal» if you want. Wear shoes you feel comfortable walking in to tour the garden. Bug spray is provided but if you have your own, bring it. Mosquitos can be enthusiastic.
Parking: easy.
Reservations and check-​in: Reservations made through Open Table and confirmed by email. I received a call the day of the show from one of the organizers to double check if we had any dietary restrictions. It was very nice to hear from someone, even with the confirmations! Check-​in was easy; we stopped at the gate to the farm and checked-​in there and then again when we arrived to the venue itself.
Older folks and young children: this is an all-​ages appropriate show and venue. We saw babies as young as 2 months old who slept through the show and kids around 5 who were engaged in the show. There is a bit of smokey smell to the air but this doesn’t drift into the audience. The open air venue keeps any smoke from bothering folks. The grounds are accessible and easy to walk. If you have very unsure footing, have someone accompany you or stick to flatter paths.
Payment: The (at the time of this review) $ 125.00 pp fee for the show is extremely reasonable. It includes taxes, gratuity, alcoholic beverages, food, and the show.
If you’re looking for awesome entertainment but don’t want the traditional luau experience again, you must see this show. It’s an intimate experience that truly entertains and expresses the Aloha spirit of welcoming you and encouraging you to embrace Hawaii’s culture.

My wife and I went to Ahi LeLe with a dear friend from the islands to try a newer luau/​fire show on Kauai. Beautiful surroundings on an old guava plantation making for a very quiet and intimate setting. Great staff, very attentive to everyone’s need with good drinks and amazing food. The fire show was well laid out and very entertaining. You could tell the dancers all loved their jobs and welcomed their guests to enjoy their fantastic talent. Well worth the drive from any part of the island. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a relaxing and entertaining evening.

ahi lele fire show located at common ground in kilauea, on the north shore of kauai is offering something fresh. i have never been to a dinner and show that was so unique and refreshingly entertaining!
turning left off of kuhio highway (56) onto kuawa road will lead you down a rural country road that takes you back into kilauea, where a hidden gem awaits you.
common ground is a beautiful property that has a lot to offer. they specialize in special events as well as sunday brunch (kitchen table) and the ahi lele fire show.
this dinner show is currently only running on wednesday evenings. check in began at 5:30PM. the hostess escorted us to our table and let us know that dinner would be starting promptly at 6PM. there was an open bar, which is a great value for people who would like to indulge in some adult beverages, as well as some gardens for you to wander around while you wait for dinner. there were servers going around with platters of pupu (appetizers).
once dinner began, the first course was brought out. they served ahi sashimi with guava smoked hawaiian salt and a toasted inamona, limu tomato salad. the second course was a fire grilled shrimp with heart of palm salad and coconut and chili sauce, roasted pork medallion, sweet potato mash and sweet onion demi. the dessert, which was my favorite course, was a delightful coconut milk panna cotta with pineapple-​koloa run flambé. coffee and tea was also set out for dessert.
when dinner service was finished, we all walked over to a big pavilion where the actual show began. the show was definitely engaging and comedic at some points. i won’t divulge much because i wouldn’t want to spoil it for anyone else. i am so grateful i finally had an opportunity to experience ahi lele. the wait staff as well as performers were amazing and this is a great dinner and show that i know will become very popular with locals and visitors alike.