About this tour
When Charlie from our BookNow team caught 'Auana by Cirque du Soleil at the Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel, it was a slick blend of acrobatics, live comedy, and Hawaiian culture wrapped up in 80 minutes. The show pulls together international circus performers, local hula dancers, musicians, and comedians into one theatre experience — the kind of thing that fills a beachfront hotel's stage in Waikiki where tourists and locals mix. It's Cirque's signature spectacle meets island heritage, and it plays nightly in an intimate venue right on the strip.
Highlights
- Acrobats doing gravity-defying stunts with genuine Hawaiian storytelling woven through.
- Live comedians landing laughs between high-flying circus acts.
- Local hula dancers and musicians sharing actual island traditions, not just lip service.
- Compact 80-minute runtime — satisfying without eating your whole evening.
- Theatre sits inside the hotel, so no travel hassle from nearby accommodation.
- Wheelchair accessible throughout the venue and seating areas.
- Mix of international and local talent creates something genuinely different from mainland Cirque shows.
What to expect
You'll walk into a theatre that's nothing fancy but well-designed for the performance. The show opens with energy — acrobats, music, and a vibe that immediately signals this isn't a standard Vegas-style Cirque production. Throughout the 80 minutes, you'll get rhythmic shifts between high-octane circus moments (silks, tumbling, hand-balancing) and quieter cultural beats where hula and live music take centre stage. The comedians slot in naturally, breaking tension and keeping the pace bouncy rather than exhausting.
Charlie noted the production felt respectful to Hawaiian traditions without feeling tacked-on. The cast clearly trained together; transitions were smooth and the whole thing had a coherence that could've been rushed. It's not a massive stadium show — the intimacy actually works in its favour. Waikiki crowds mean you'll be surrounded by holidaymakers and families, which is fine; the energy suits that.
What travellers say
- Cirque-level acrobatics paired with authentic Hawaiian cultural elements.
- Compact duration keeps energy high without dragging or overwhelming younger guests.
- Local performers and musicians embedded throughout, not as extras.
- Wheelchair accessible venue with straightforward seating and facilities.
- No-fuss location inside Waikiki hotel removes travel logistics.
- Drinks and food sold separately at hotel premium prices.
- Tourist-heavy crowd and late-evening showtimes only.
- Transport from other Waikiki resorts costs extra and isn't included.
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
If you're in Waikiki and want live performance that's a step above the usual hotel entertainment, this delivers. The 80-minute length suits families with kids or anyone who doesn't want to commit their whole night. Wheelchair accessible. Local content isn't tokenistic — genuine musicians and dancers are on stage, so you're getting something tied to place.
You'll pay extra for transport to and from the hotel if you're staying elsewhere in Waikiki (though it's walkable from many resorts). Food and drinks aren't included — the hotel will sell them separately, and prices are touristy. Infants sit free on laps, but under-18s need an adult chaperone. The theatre fills with tourists, so don't expect a cultural deep-dive; it's entertainment first. Show times cluster in evenings, so flexibility is limited if you're particular about when you go.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BookNow summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.