Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa aims to emphasize Hawaiian culture over Disney magic, from language to storytelling.
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- Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa was designed to prioritize Hawaiian culture over the Disney brand.
- Cultural Advisors ensure that all aspects of the resort, including programming and design, are authentic and conducted with respect.
- Activities like Ka Waa Luau and Auntie’s Beach House are rooted in Hawaiian traditions and stories.
OAHU, Hawaii — The upbeat tune playing in the elevator at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa sounded familiar, but I couldn’t place it. Then it shocked me. It was “Under the Sea” from The Little Mermaid, sung entirely in Hawaiian and accompanied by ukulele strings.
This is just one of the resort’s many details that pay homage to Hawaiian culture. Of course, there’s some Disney magic added as well.
As a Honolulu local, I remember hearing about Aulani when it first opened in Ko Olina on Oahu’s west coast in 2011. When USA TODAY was invited to visit in May 2026, I was looking forward to seeing how Hawaiian culture was woven into the Disney experience.
Kama Hopkins, Aulani’s Hawaiian cultural advisor since 2023, said giving guests a strong sense of place was intentional from the beginning to honor Aulani’s Hawaiian meaning of “messenger of the chief.”
“Mickey and his friends come here just like everyone else,” he said. “They’re coming to learn a little bit more about Hawaiian culture. Hawaiian culture is our master and our boss. That’s the higher power we represent.”
Hawaiian culture is proudly on full display throughout the property, honoring and deeply ingraining the islands’ local culture, a product of years of cultural fusion by Asian and Portuguese immigrants who came to work on the plantations in the 18th and 19th centuries.
“We try to keep the Hawaiian culture at the forefront, but underneath that we have the local culture… so we have the host culture, we have the Hawaiian culture, we have the local culture and stories that we’re trying to share, and then we have the visitor culture,” Hopkins said. “We want them to come and see the Hawaii that we know and love. It’s not the Hawaii that was portrayed on TV 50, 60 years ago, which doesn’t really exist.”
As a resident of Hawaii, I would like to share my impressions of Aulani and my advice for first-time visitors.
“Hawaiian culture first”
As Hopkins said, the philosophy behind Aulani from its inception has been “Big H, little D – Hawaiian culture first, Disney second.”
His uncle and cousin were part of Aulani’s original Hawaiian cultural advisory team. They had significant discussions with Disney imagineers about the most detailed aspects of how the resort was designed to represent the most authentic Hawaiian culture possible.
The two lead Imagineers, Joe Rohde and Janet Lomboy, are no strangers to Hawaii, and Rohde grew up in Honolulu, so they were especially thoughtful when developing Aulani. They “didn’t mean to mess this up,” Hopkins joked.
The orientation of the lobby was also intentionally created to allow wind to flow from a specific direction. “There are a lot of things that are important to us when we come to Hawaii. One of them was that we were sailing and we wanted to have a wind current coming from behind us,” he said.
From the moment you step into the lobby, you’ll be surrounded by murals depicting kane (men) and wahine (women) from ancient Hawaii to modern times, displaying a timeline of the island’s history. This space overlooks the rest of the site and is intended to pay homage to the concept of ahupua’a, which was an ancient way of dividing islands. These pie-slice-shaped land parcels were self-sufficient communities, providing people with everything they needed, from fresh water to fishing.
“If you think of Makala (the path of the eyes), our lobby is at the top of the mountain, and when you look out from the veranda or the big balcony, you see the natural border on the sides of the two towers. All you see is a valley full of people eating, enjoying the water, having fun,” Hopkins said. “You can see the fish, you can see the plants growing.”
There were also more subtle compliments that perhaps only locals would find touching.
The main gift shop, Kalepa’s Store, is decorated like an early 20th century general store run by local families for generations, complete with a faux tin roof. Although some have since closed, photos of authentic general stores and their owners from around the island are on display.
Proposals for new shows always have to sit down with Hopkins to see if they “still hold up well enough in a cultural sense” before seeing how they can be “sprinkled” with Disney magic. Research will also be required to ensure accuracy, including whether the tropical fish mentioned in the children’s activity center Aunty’s Beach House actually live in Hawaiian waters. If not, no.
What to do
Aulani, a Disney resort, is family-friendly with activities like a lazy river and programs to keep kids entertained. We found that most products have cultural roots. The main activities are:
- Ka Waa Luau – Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the luau held on the grounds of Aulani had a feel befitting its location. Performers from this very stretch of Oahu’s coastline told stories unique to the resort’s land, complete with fire dances and appearances from Mickey and Minnie. Over the years, I’ve attended many luaus and have been struck by the production values and the personal stories of the performers, such as the ode to my late mother who loved nearby Kaena Point. We also found that Aulani is both fascinating and educational, teaching guests about kalo, a staple of nautical and Hawaiian culture. Luaus are held on the resort’s lawn and are weather permitting. Advance reservations are required and it’s expensive at $190 per adult and $119 per child ages 3 to 9, but I think it’s worth it if you’ve never been to a luau.
- Pau Hana Room – This is Aulani’s version of Disney Vacation Club’s community hall, with culturally inspired activities such as stamping T-shirts with patterns that mimic kapa, a traditional woven bark cloth once used for clothing and bedding. Advance sign-up and additional fees are often required.
- Rainbow Reef – This 3,800 square foot man-made saltwater lagoon is the perfect place for families with young children to enjoy marine life and snorkeling without worrying about ocean currents or other hazards.
- Menehune Adventure Trail – 300 small wooden Menehune statues peek out from corners and under bridges in visible locations around the resort. In Hawaiian culture, menehune are small beings known for playing pranks and building in the dark of night. According to Disney legend, Aulani was built by Menehune.
- Auntie’s Beach House – In Hawaii, older people are not called ma’am or mister. People call you aunt and uncle even if you have just met them for the first time. “We still have that ohana, that family-like caring spirit,” Hopkins said. “That’s one of the reasons we call people aunts and uncles; it’s a sign of respect.” Designed to feel like a family’s real home, Auntie’s Beach House allows children ages 4 to 12 to participate in activities such as games and crafts. Many are free, but all require pre-registration.
- ‘AMA’AMA – The on-site fine dining restaurant offers a four-course menu of contemporary island cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients, including flavorful pork belly and tender Wagyu fillet. It faces the beach and is the perfect place to watch the sunset.
Other first time tips
Beyond the cultural aspects, this resort has everything you need, from the Laniwai Spa to the fitness center and spacious rooms. Here are some first-time tips to help you make the most of your visit to Aulani.
- Don’t forget dessert. Aulani features special Disney food items, including shave ice shaped like Mickey ears and the iconic pineapple-flavored Dole Whip.
- Please check the app. The Aulani mobile app shows you where all your characters are at all times to help you plan your day.
- Please make a reservation in advance. During our visit, we noticed that restaurants and activities filled up quickly. Therefore, please try to book as far in advance as possible.
While staying true to Disney, Aulani had an immersive and fun energy. As someone who calls Hawaii home, I was impressed by how thoughtful and intentional they were in representing the islands. It’s a true Hawaiian resort, but close to Disney.
The reporter for this article received access to this event from Disney. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of content.
Kathleen Wong is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY. She is the author of The Conscious Traveler Hawai’i and is based in Hawaii.
