‘Auana by Cirque du Soleil at the Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel

Hula meets high-wire thrills. Auana by Cirque du Soleil turns Hawaiian stories into a one-room, high energy evening at the Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel in Honolulu. It blends acrobats, comedians, live music and singers, and hula to create a fast moving, feel good show that fits right into a Waikiki night.

I especially love how the performance leans on well known island legends, including Maui pulling the islands from the ocean floor and Surfriders dancing on the waves. I also love the variety, you get big athletic moments, laughs, and music in the same stretch of time, so it never feels like one kind of act repeats too long.

One thing to watch is seat choice, because this kind of intimate theater can also mean bright stage lights if you land too close or off to one side. And once you book, the ticket is non-refundable and cannot be changed, so pick your seats and plan your evening carefully.

Key points before you go

• Hawai‘i stories onstage, including Maui and Surfriders, told through Cirque style action
• Nonstop variety, acrobatics, comedy, live singing and hula moving as one show
• Intimate venue feel, which makes the performance feel close and personal
• Seat selection matters, especially if you want to avoid blinding lights from certain angles
• Family friendly pacing, with crowd energy that keeps kids engaged
• Mobile ticket plus all taxes included, so you just show up and enjoy

What Auana is, and why it works in Waikiki

Auana by Cirque du Soleil is a Hawai‘i inspired production built around four main ingredients: high risk acrobatics, comedy, live music and singing, and hula performance. Instead of presenting Hawaiian culture as a backdrop, the show treats it like the storyline, with characters and ideas drawn from island folklore and shared island spirit.

In practical terms, this format is perfect for Waikiki. You are already surrounded by beaches, hotels, and quick day trips, and you want an evening that is easy to schedule and hard to forget. A show that runs about 1 hour 20 minutes gives you a complete experience without swallowing your entire night.

Who this fits best: families, couples, and solo travelers who want something more than a standard music night. If you like spectacle but also want humor and music, this one checks both boxes.

The Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber venue, small room energy

This show is held at the Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel, and the theater setup is part of the magic. Many people find the room size makes it feel intimate, like you are close enough to sense the focus before a stunt.

That closeness is a double edged sword. It is exciting, but it can also bring you into the line of stage lights. One practical tip I would follow: if you are sensitive to bright lights, do not choose the closest seats in a way that could put you right in the glare.

The good news is that sound is described as strong and the production is designed so you do not feel lost even when the action moves fast. The key is to pick seating that gives you a clear view of the whole stage, not just one corner.

Stop 1, the story onstage: Maui, surf riders, and the tourist era

This is a single show experience, so the entire itinerary is essentially one continuous journey. The story line follows Hawaiian themed characters and ideas, starting with legends and then shifting into a broader look at how visitors and island life connect.

You can expect the early part to lean into myth, with moments like Maui pulling the islands from the ocean floor. Then the show moves through other story images, including Surfriders dancing upon the waves.

The show also references a “golden age” of tourism, when pristine beaches drew visitors to Hawai‘i. That matters because it gives the production more than just action. It adds a recognizable cultural thread, so the show feels like it is talking to your imagination, not just throwing acrobats at you.

And because this is Cirque style storytelling, the athletic moments are not random. They match the mood of each scene, whether it feels playful, mystical, or rhythm driven.

The performances you will feel in your seat

The cast is built for variety, and you really see that in the way acts are grouped. You get powerful acrobats and aerial style movement mixed with hilarious comedians. Then you layer in musicians and singers so there is always a live sound moment rather than just recorded tracks.

Hula sits at the center of the show’s identity. It is not treated as a single quick segment, it flows with the other acts, helping tie the athletic sequences back to Hawaiian culture.

Here is what I think makes this blend work for most people:

• When one section leans athletic, the next section often brings humor or music to reset your brain.
• The pace stays energetic, so you are not watching long stretches that feel repetitive.
• The show uses a mix of tempo, from big movement to rhythm driven segments, so you keep getting new visual anchors.

If you are bringing kids, this variety is a big deal. It gives them multiple ways to stay interested, laughs for the family energy, dancing for the visual rhythm, and acrobatics for the wow factor.

Seats and sightlines, the practical way to choose

Seat advice is the difference between a great night and a slightly annoying one. Based on common feedback from the theater experience, I would treat seating as part of your planning.

A few practical lessons:

• If you want a fuller view of the stage action, consider choosing higher numbered sections like the 200s. Some seating closer to the stage has a higher chance of blocking parts of the performance as the show shifts and expands across the stage.
• If you like being close, just be aware that closeness can mean blinding stage lights, especially from certain angles.
• Sound tends to be strong, which is great if you usually worry about audio in smaller venues.

Also consider what you personally prefer. Want a close up feeling? Choose closer seats but aim for angles that keep you out of direct glare. Want the best overall picture? Choose seats that let you see the whole stage as the performers move.

Timing in Honolulu, how to plan your evening around 1 hour 20 minutes

The show runs about 1 hour 20 minutes, and that is a real gift when you are visiting Honolulu. It is long enough to feel like a full experience, but short enough to keep your evening flexible.

Since hotel pickup and drop off are not included, you should plan to get yourself to the Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber on your own. That usually means building extra time so you are not rushing when you arrive.

For food and drinks, nothing is included. So if you want dinner, plan it before or after the show. This is also a good moment to think about what you will do with your energy. The show is active and fast, so you do not want a heavy dinner right before if you get motion sick or just prefer to feel comfortable.

One more practical note: this is a live stage production with a high energy crowd vibe, so I would treat it like any good theater night. Arrive with time to settle, use the restroom before it starts, and then give yourself over to the spectacle.

Ticket type and what it means for your day

Your ticket is handled as a mobile ticket, and you receive confirmation at the time of booking. In plain terms, that means you can keep everything on your phone and focus on your trip instead of managing paper vouchers.

The ticket price structure is also designed to be simple. Your admission includes the ticket for the category you selected when booking, plus all fees and taxes.

What is not included is also straightforward. Hotel pickup and drop off are not included, and food and beverages are not included. That lets you choose what fits your budget for dinner and drinks, instead of paying for a bundled option you might not want.

Value check, is this worth your evening money?

For Honolulu, a Cirque style show is often a splurge. The question is whether it replaces other paid activities or just becomes a “nice if we can” add on.

Here is where Auana is strong on value:

• You get a complete entertainment package in a single sitting, acrobats, comedians, live singers, and hula.
• The show duration is about 80 minutes, so you get a strong time payoff without needing a full half day.
• The venue is described as intimate, which usually makes a performance feel more personal and memorable.

If you are comparing against other O‘ahu evenings, this is one of the better “one ticket, done right” options. You are not coordinating multiple stops, it is not weather dependent in the same way an outdoor plan can be, and the experience stays focused.

If your budget is tight, consider your timing. One show that hits several preferences at once, athletic and cultural and funny, can be more satisfying than spending the same money on two smaller, less connected activities.

Who should book, and who might rethink it

Book it if:

• You want a family friendly night that still feels like a real show, not a school event.
• You like live music, comedy, and dance mixed with high level physical performance.
• You are staying near Waikiki and want a convenient evening plan.

Maybe rethink it if:

• You are very sensitive to bright stage lights and prefer a quiet, low stimulus evening.
• You need an activity you can reschedule easily. This ticket is non-refundable and cannot be changed, so it is not a safe plan if your itinerary is likely to shift.

The venue being small and the seating affecting your experience is the main “gotcha.” The fix is simple: choose seats with good stage coverage and keep an eye on how close you want to be.

Should you book Auana at the Waikiki Beachcomber?

I think you should book Auana if you want a concentrated, high energy Hawaiian themed performance that mixes circus athleticism with real musical and dance storytelling. The show structure is made for attention, laughs, and awe in the same sitting, and the time length fits neatly into a Waikiki trip.

Do it with two smart steps:

• Decide what you care about most, close up excitement versus the widest possible view. Then pick seats accordingly, with the higher sections often favored for full stage coverage.
• Make sure your evening is firm, because the ticket is non-refundable and cannot be changed.

If those checks feel good, this is the kind of show you remember when you are back home, not just the kind you scroll past later.

FAQ

Where is Auana by Cirque du Soleil performed?

It is performed at the Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel in Honolulu, USA.

How long is the show?

The show duration is approximately 1 hour 20 minutes.

What is included with the ticket?

Your ticket includes admission to Auana by Cirque du Soleil in the category you selected at booking, plus all fees and taxes.

Is hotel pickup or food included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop off are not included, and food and beverages are not included.

Is the show suitable for children?

Most travelers can participate. If you have children under 18 years old, they must be accompanied by a person aged 18 years and above.

What is the cancellation policy?

The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or request an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.