‘Auana by Cirque du Soleil at the Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel

ʻAuana brings Cirque du Soleil’s acrobats, aerial artists, comedians, musicians, singers, and hula dancers together for a show shaped around Hawaiʻi. You move from Maui pulling the islands from the ocean floor to Surfriders riding imagined waves, then into the golden age of Waikiki tourism. It is a theatrical postcard, but one with plenty of muscle and motion.

I like the intimate theater, where even seats away from the stage can feel close to the action. I also like the way the production uses Hawaiian music, hula, legends, and humor rather than presenting a generic circus show. The main drawback is that some close side seats can face strong stage lighting, and very near seats may make it harder to see the full production.

Key points to know before booking

• Hawaiian stories guide the show: Maui, legendary Surfriders, island traditions, and Waikiki’s tourist era shape the performance.
• The 80-minute running time works well: You get a full evening attraction without committing to a long theater production.
• A small venue changes the experience: The action feels close, even from seats farther from the stage.
• Seats farther back may be wiser: Several audience members found that a little distance made it easier to take in the whole stage.
• The cast mixes local and international talent: Hula, singing, music, comedy, aerial work, and acrobatics share the program.
• Plan your evening around the theater: Transportation, food, and drinks are not included.

A Hawaiian story told through circus skill

ʻAuana is not simply a Cirque du Soleil show with tropical decoration added afterward. Its basic idea is to tell stories and traditions connected to Hawaiʻi through acrobatics, music, dance, and theater.

The production moves through several familiar images of the islands. Maui appears as the clever figure who pulls the islands from the ocean floor. Surfriders become legendary figures moving across the waves. The show also turns toward the golden age of visitors drawn to Waikiki’s beaches.

That gives the performance a clear sense of place. You are not watching unrelated circus acts stitched together under a Hawaiian name. Each section connects to an aspect of island culture or to the way Hawaiʻi has been imagined over time.

The tone is broad enough for a family audience. Serious hula and folklore share the stage with comedians and playful audience interaction. That mix matters because an evening built entirely around high-risk acrobatics can become tiring. ʻAuana keeps changing its pace and mood.

The production also aims for a respectful treatment of Hawaiian culture. The hula dancers and Hawaiian music are not just background decoration between stunts. They help carry the story. If you want a show with a clear connection to Oʻahu rather than a touring production that could take place anywhere, that is one of its strongest points.

What happens during the 1-hour-20-minute show

There is one central performance rather than a series of stops around Honolulu. You take your seat at the theater inside the Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel, then follow the cast through a sequence of songs, stories, dances, comic moments, and circus acts.

The opening sections establish the Hawaiian setting and the production’s dreamlike tone. Maui’s story gives the show a mythic beginning, while the performers translate the old tale into physical theater and circus movement.

From there, the action shifts toward the ocean. The Surfriders section draws on the idea of people moving with the waves, creating room for dance, acrobatic motion, and strong visual effects. You should expect the stage to stay active. One audience member described the action as nearly back to back, and that is useful advice for anyone who prefers a show with little downtime.

The hula portions give the performance a different kind of power. Hula is not treated as a quick cultural interlude before the next stunt. It adds rhythm and storytelling, grounding the more extreme acts in a Hawaiian setting.

Musicians and singers help hold those sections together. The result is not a silent acrobatic show with recorded music doing all the work. Live musical elements and Hawaiian sounds are part of the identity of ʻAuana.

Comedy provides another change of pace. The comedians interact with the audience, and an audience member even described a family member being brought onstage. That kind of moment cannot be promised, but it shows the production has a playful side beyond the main circus acts.

The final broad theme concerns Waikiki’s golden age of tourism. The show recognizes the beach culture and the visitors who have long been drawn to Hawaiʻi. That section gives the production a more modern frame and connects traditional stories with the Waikiki setting outside the theater.

With aerial work, stunts, acrobatics, dance, music, and comedy, you are rarely watching only one type of performer. The variety is a major reason the 80 minutes pass quickly.

Why the Waikiki Beachcomber theater matters

The venue is at the Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel, also identified as the OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel. That puts the show in the middle of Waikiki rather than at a distant performance complex.

The theater’s smaller size is important. Cirque du Soleil productions are often associated with huge stages and massive arenas. ʻAuana takes a more compact approach, which brings the artists closer to you and makes the show feel personal.

That intimacy comes with a tradeoff. A large stage gives you a wide view of every formation and set piece. In a smaller theater, the action may feel more immediate, but your view can depend more on your exact seat.

The available audience advice points in two directions. Some people felt there were no bad seats because the theater is small and the sound is strong. Others preferred seats in the 200 section over the 100 section because the farther position made it easier to see the entire stage. One person seated in the second row on the left side found the lights uncomfortable and was not able to move.

My practical advice is simple: do not assume the most expensive or closest seat is automatically best. If you want to watch individual performers up close, a forward section may appeal to you. If you want to understand the full choreography, see the set, and follow activity happening across the stage, a seat farther back may serve you better.

The best choice also depends on how sensitive you are to bright lights and how much you value a wide view. If you can select a section, look carefully at the seating category before booking. The ticket category is chosen at purchase, and moving later may not be possible.

The strongest parts of the production

The most praised feature is the range of talent. The show brings together acrobats, aerial performers, hula dancers, singers, musicians, and comedians. That variety keeps the production from feeling like a single long stunt sequence.

The acrobatics provide the heart-pounding moments. You can expect high-risk acts, aerial work, and physical feats that demand serious strength and control. The show is built for gasps, but it does not rely only on danger. Dance and music give the spectacle shape.

The Hawaiian connection is just as important. The production pays attention to island stories and imagery, including Maui, the ocean, surfing, hula, and Waikiki’s tourism era. That makes it a useful choice if you want your evening entertainment to reflect where you are.

The music also gets repeated praise. Hawaiian sounds help create the mood, while the performers and dancers give the show its emotional center. If you usually find circus productions too focused on machinery and spectacle, the musical and cultural elements may make this one more appealing.

The comedy is another practical plus for families. Younger audience members may focus on the stunts, while adults can enjoy the jokes, music, and cultural references. The production is designed to work across age groups, though children still need to be comfortable sitting through an 80-minute theater performance.

Is the ticket worth the money?

No ticket price is provided here, and the amount depends on the category you select. Still, you can judge the value by looking at what is included and what kind of evening you want.

Your ticket covers the ʻAuana performance and all fees and taxes. You do not pay separately for the main acts once inside. Food and drinks are not included, and you must arrange your own way to the hotel.

The value is strongest if you are already spending an evening in Waikiki and want a polished indoor show with a distinctly Hawaiian focus. You get roughly 80 minutes of live acrobatics, music, dance, comedy, and theatrical storytelling in one venue.

It is less compelling if you are looking only for a traditional hula performance. ʻAuana uses hula, but it is first and foremost a Cirque du Soleil production. Expect circus energy, aerial skill, comedy, and stage spectacle alongside Hawaiian material.

It may also be a weaker value for someone who has little interest in live performance. The show asks you to sit and watch a carefully timed production rather than explore Oʻahu or take part in an outdoor activity.

For a special evening, though, the combination is appealing. You do not need to commit to a full theater night lasting several hours. The running time leaves room to eat before or afterward, though those plans are yours to arrange.

Who should book ʻAuana

I would put this show high on the list for families, couples, groups of friends, and solo visitors who want a memorable Waikiki night.

Families get a program with clear visual action, comedy, music, and plenty of movement. The production is family-friendly, and all ages can find something to follow. Children who enjoy acrobatics may focus on the physical feats, while adults can pay more attention to the Hawaiian stories and stage design.

Couples may appreciate the polished evening format and the mix of beauty and suspense. Friends can enjoy the shared reactions to the high-risk acts and comic audience moments.

Solo visitors are not at a disadvantage. The theater is compact, and the performance carries itself without needing a tour group or guide. You simply arrive with your mobile ticket and watch the show.

I would be more cautious if you need a quiet, low-stimulation performance. The production includes bright stage lighting, loud action, comedy, and rapid changes. A close side seat may be uncomfortable for some people, so seating deserves attention.

People under 18 must be accompanied by someone at least 18 years old. Most people can participate, but the available information does not give detailed accessibility specifications, so anyone with specific seating or access needs should confirm them before booking.

Practical planning for a Waikiki evening

The experience does not include hotel pickup or drop-off. Since the theater is at the Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel, you need to make your own way there and allow enough time to find the correct entrance and settle into your seat.

Your ticket is mobile, which is convenient for a phone-based booking. Confirmation is provided at the time of booking. Keep the ticket easy to access before you enter the theater.

Food and beverages are not part of the experience. You can plan dinner separately, but remember that the show itself lasts about 1 hour and 20 minutes. That makes it easy to place before or after a meal, depending on the performance time you select.

The ticket is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. This is the most important booking caution. Do not buy until your date, party size, and seating category are settled.

The production is offered only at this Waikiki venue, so it works especially well when you are staying nearby or already planning to spend time in Waikiki. If you are staying elsewhere on Oʻahu, factor in your own transportation and timing.

My verdict on ʻAuana

I would book ʻAuana if you want one polished evening that combines Hawaiian culture with serious circus skill. The production gives you Maui, ocean legends, hula, music, comedy, aerial work, and acrobatics in a compact 80-minute format.

Choose your seats with care. Farther-back sections may give you a better view of the full stage, while close side seats can bring bright lights and a narrower perspective. The small theater means you should not assume you must pay for the closest location to feel involved.

This is not a substitute for visiting cultural sites, learning hula, or spending time outdoors on Oʻahu. It is theater, shaped by Hawaiian stories and presented with Cirque du Soleil’s physical style. For a family evening, date night, or final-night Waikiki treat, that is a fair and often worthwhile use of your time and ticket budget.

FAQ

How long does ʻAuana by Cirque du Soleil last?

The performance lasts approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Where is ʻAuana performed?

The show is performed at the Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel in Honolulu, also identified as the OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel.

What does the ticket include?

The ticket includes admission to ʻAuana in the category selected at booking, along with all fees and taxes.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and beverages are not included in the ticket.

Is transportation provided?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must arrange your own transportation.

Can I use a mobile ticket?

Yes. The experience provides a mobile ticket.

Can people under 18 attend alone?

No. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a person who is at least 18 years old.

Can I cancel or change my booking?

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