My family and I attended the Royal Kona Luau just a week ago and I must say the reviews are correct. The entertainment was average as well as the food. We arrived an hour before the show and paid an extra $5 to be "VIP" guests. It was well worth it. We sat in the very front, had the best table, and got to attack the buffet first. The food was average. There wasn't much to choose from for $70+ per person, my plate of white rice and green salad was quite expensive. The pork had no taste, suprising since that is their signature dish. The dancers were great until it came time for pictures. They seemed almost annoyed. They didn't seem to want to take pictures with guests. The music was great and the host was only a bit cheesy. The drinks were included so hit the bar early to avoid the long lines, grab 2 - 3 drinks before sitting. Pay the extra $5 its worth it.

We went to the Royal Kona Luau in August 06. We picked this luau because we could walk to it from our condo and it was fairly inexpensive (compared to other luaus on the Big Island).
The mai tai was premade (in a big bowl) which you served yourself. It was VERY watered-down. You are better off asking the bartender for other drinks.
We have been to a number of luaus before and the food at the Royal Kona was barely passable. The kalua pork, which should be the signature dish, was rather tasteless.
The show was only so-so. It was rather short with only a few performers. The M.C kept interjecting inane and contrived comments which made the show cheesier that it had to be.
I think you are better off spending your money at another luau.

We visited this luau on Christmas Eve. Us and about 200 other folks! There was a long wait to get to the hostess to check in, a long wait to get to the drinks, a long wait to get to an open table (if you could find 4 seats together). We stopped and got some local flowers in our hair (not included with the luau price) and a very nice girl explained how to wear them...which ear represented what, etc.

We were overdressed here. I spent a fortune on my hubby's Christmas themed Hawaiian shirt, too.

We were seated way up near the parking lot and couldn't see a thing, but we were closer to the food. I caught some glimpses of the dances, etc between the heads of those in front of me occassionally. What I saw was good, but my kids saw almost nothing. We ate a medicore meal and left well before the event ended.

If you are expecting a small, personal event, this is not the place. We did all learn the Mele Kalikimaka song, though!

My wife and I attended the Royal Kona Luau and had an enjoyable evening.

You start with finding an open seat and self served drinks (both alcoholic and N/A). This is a great opportunity to meet fellow travelers and strike up some conversation with your dinner mates. The evening moves on to the removal of the pig from the Imu (underground oven) and then there is live music and signing while dinner is being prepared.

The dinner was average with the roasted pork being excellent but the number and quality of the sides and other main dishes was dissapointing.

After dinner the main show begins with an excellent dance review complete with the very impressive fire dance. We went the to the Polynesian Clutural Center on Oahu and would have to say the level of dancing was much higher at this luau than at PCC (PCC is a great trip too however).

This luau was touted in the travel guides as one of the better luaus and in terms of entertainment I would agree but the meal leaves a lot to be desired for the price they are charging. I would reccommend this luau for the show alone but you might be dissapointed by the meal.