‘Auana by Cirque du Soleil at the Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel

Cirque du Soleil in Waikiki feels up close. I like how small-theatre staging at the OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beachcomber keeps the show feeling immediate, even when the action gets big.

My favorite part is the Hawaiian focus: stories and energy built around hula and recognizable island themes, backed by comedians, musicians, singers, and world-class acrobats. One more win for me is that the cast blends international and local talent, so the evening doesn’t feel like a generic touring spectacle.

The main thing to think about is seating. Even with good sightlines overall, a couple of reports point to glare from certain angles and a higher chance of missing small bits of stage business from some rows.

Key highlights to plan around

• Mobile ticket convenience: you’ll use a phone ticket, no paper hunt required.
• Hawai‘i-inspired story beats: Maui, Surfriders, and the arc of visitors to the islands show up in the pacing.
• High-risk acrobatics plus comedy: the show keeps momentum with nonstop variety.
• Hula-led moments: strong dance segments help ground the Cirque style in island tradition.
• A tight venue that rewards the right seat: more intimacy can mean more glare or less stage coverage depending on where you sit.
• Family-friendly energy: it’s built so all ages can follow the action.

Auana at the OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beachcomber: what you’re really booking

You’re not booking a long, sightseeing day. You’re booking a single, focused hit of live entertainment in Honolulu, at the OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel. The timing is about 1 hour 20 minutes, so it’s an easy add-on to a Waikiki itinerary that might already be packed with beach time, hikes, and early dinners.

What makes Auana feel special is the way Cirque du Soleil wraps Hawaiian themes into the show’s format. You still get the Cirque language—precision, athleticism, bold staging—but it’s paired with music, singing, and hula so it plays like a themed production, not just a collection of stunts.

And since it’s a one-stop experience, you can treat the evening like your “reset button.” After hours of walking, traffic, or sun, the show becomes a clean, indoor use of time where you can sit, watch, and let the story do the work.

How the show flows in 80 minutes: Maui to the Surfriders

Auana is built like a journey. Instead of starting with a random set of acts, you’ll feel a storyline thread moving through the performance. The show draws on Hawaiian folklore and island imagery, then switches gears to keep everything fun and fast.

From the opening mythology setup, Maui appears as a mischievous figure connected to the islands themselves. You can expect that theme to show up not just in narration, but in the physical staging—how performers move, how they build scenes, and how the audience is invited to follow the action.

Then the mood shifts toward ocean energy and dance. The Surfriders moment—dancing upon the waves—is where the show’s physicality and Hawaiian movement language start to reinforce each other. You’ll see performers blending aerial and athletic skills with dance-driven storytelling, so it doesn’t feel like the hula is sitting off to the side as a separate segment.

The show also includes a nod to a more modern chapter of Hawai‘i, described as a golden age of tourists pulled in by the beauty of the islands. That arc matters, because it prevents the evening from becoming only myth. It connects the story to what visitors come to Hawai‘i for—music, landscape, and the feeling of being somewhere different.

The mix that makes it work: acrobats, comedians, musicians, singers, hula

Cirque shows can swing in two directions. Sometimes they’re all spectacle, sometimes they’re all performance art with pacing that drifts. Auana lands in a third zone: it’s built for momentum.

The acrobatics are the headliners—there’s no getting around that—but the show keeps you watching by changing the “type” of attention needed every few minutes. When the aerial or high-risk skills land, they feel like payoffs. Then comedy and crowd-play keeps the energy from tipping into intensity fatigue.

Music and singing help you switch gears without losing the emotional thread. And the hula segments aren’t just decoration. In this production, they help define tone. They also make the show easier to track for first-timers: you’re not required to know any background to enjoy what’s happening, because the dance language carries meaning even when the rest is pure theatrical magic.

I also appreciate the basic craft: strong sound in the venue and polished transitions between acts. That’s part of why the evening feels so smooth for a show that’s doing a lot at once.

Seating strategy at a small Waikiki venue: what to choose and why

The theatre is intentionally tight, and that’s a big part of why people love the show. Up close, Cirque action feels more real—ropes, movement, and stage business look sharper. It can also make you feel like you’re part of the world on stage rather than watching from a distance.

Still, seating choices can change your experience.

Here’s the practical takeaway from the reports:

• Some seats closer to the stage deliver an intense, up-close view, which many people loved.
• A couple of experiences mention glare when sitting in specific areas (one person noted the second row on the left side had lights that were blinding).
• There are also tips about row ranges—one set of comments suggests that seats in the 200s may offer a better full-stage view than seats in the 100s, while another person cautioned that sitting too far back could mean you miss parts of what’s happening.

So how should you decide?

• If you want the most “I’m right there” feel, pick closer seats, but be mindful of angle in the best available rows.
• If you want the safest view of the entire stage picture, aim for a mid-depth location where you’re less likely to get straight-on glare and can still see movement across the whole set.

No matter what, the overall feedback points to generally good sightlines. The only real risk is choosing a seat that puts you into a glare angle or hides a bit of stage business.

Ticket value in Waikiki: what’s included and what you should budget for

The ticket you select at booking includes admission to Auana and it covers all fees and taxes. That’s a real value point in Hawai‘i, where it’s easy to feel surprised by add-ons. You don’t need to puzzle over extra costs once you’ve booked.

What’s not included is also important:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off aren’t part of the package.
• Food and beverages aren’t included.

So your value math is simple. Spend your money on the show, then plan a separate dinner or snack before or after. If you’re staying right in Waikiki, you’ll likely find it easy to get to the OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beachcomber under your own power. Just don’t assume a shuttle will show up.

If you’re deciding between cheaper seats and more expensive ones, I’d lean toward paying for the seat view that fits your tolerance for intensity. In a show this physically driven, a slightly better seat often means less time thinking about what you might be missing.

Who Auana is best for (and who might want to pass)

Auana is built for broad appeal. The tone is family-friendly, and it works for couples, solo travelers, groups, and kids who enjoy action and dance. Because the show mixes comedy, music, and high-risk physical performance, it doesn’t rely on you knowing Hawaiian language or mythology to enjoy it.

You’ll especially enjoy it if you like:

• live performance that doesn’t slow down
• a mix of dance and acrobatics
• shows where music and story guide the pacing

Who might consider skipping?

• If you prefer very quiet, long-form theatre with minimal spectacle, a Cirque-style show may feel too fast.
• If glare issues bother you easily, put more effort into picking seats and avoid corners or angles that look likely to catch lights.

If you’re in Waikiki with only a limited number of evenings to spare, this is one of those choices that gives you a full evening’s worth of entertainment without demanding a full-day commitment.

Practical tips before you go: make the 1h20 feel effortless

A few things make the night smoother:

Arrive with time to settle. A small venue is intimate, which is fun, but you’ll want a few minutes to find your seat and get comfortable before the show starts.

Bring patience for a technology-driven ticket. The experience uses a mobile ticket, so keep your phone charged and your ticket handy.

Plan food separately. Since beverages and food aren’t included, I like to treat the show like a dessert stop after dinner rather than something you wedge between meals without thinking.

And one small note from show etiquette: at least one attendee mentioned that video recording wasn’t possible and that pictures were available instead. I wouldn’t count on recording working. If capturing memories is your thing, be ready to use approved photo options.

Should you book Auana by Cirque du Soleil?

If you want a high-quality, story-based Cirque show in Hawai‘i that mixes hula, comedy, music, and acrobatics in about 1 hour 20 minutes, Auana is an easy yes. The ticket includes taxes and fees, the venue is small enough to feel personal, and the variety keeps attention where it should be.

I’d book it sooner rather than later if:

• you’ll be in Waikiki and want one standout evening
• you care about choosing seats that maximize stage coverage
• you’re traveling with mixed-age group members who still want something exciting

I’d be a bit more selective if:

• glare or angle issues usually bother you
• you strongly prefer “quiet theatre” over action-heavy spectacle

If you’re on the fence, pick the seat category that gives you the best full-stage view you can get. In a show where so much happens at once, that decision can turn a good night into a great one.

FAQ

Where does Auana by Cirque du Soleil take place?

The show is held at the OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel in Honolulu, USA.

How long is the show?

The duration is approximately 1 hour 20 minutes.

Do I need hotel pickup or drop-off?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What’s included with my booking?

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

Are food and beverages included?

No. Food and beverages are not included.

Do I get a mobile ticket?

Yes. The experience uses a mobile ticket.

What’s the age requirement for kids?

Guests aged under 18 must be accompanied by someone aged eighteen (18) years and above.

When do I receive confirmation?

Confirmation is received at the time of booking.

Is the ticket refundable or changeable?

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

Is the show suitable for most people?

The experience notes that most travelers can participate.