ʻAuana is a Cirque du Soleil show at the Outrigger Waikīkī Beachcomber Hotel in Honolulu, Hawaii. It is a contemporary circus performance featuring acrobats, gymnasts, and other skilled performers. The show combines the traditional acrobatic and athletic performances of Cirque du Soleil with Hawaiian storytelling and dance. The show is Cirque du Soleil’s first ever resident production in Hawaii.
History In April 2023, Cirque du Soleil and Outrigger Hospitality Group announced that the existing showroom venue at the Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel would be renovated to host a then-unnamed sit-down Cirque du Soleil production. In September 2024, tickets for the new production went on sale with preview performances to begin on December 5, 2024, and an official premiere date of December 17, 2024.
Set and technical information The theater housing ʻAuana previously hosted the Magic of Polynesia Show and The Don Ho Show. The show is performed in a 20,000-square-foot theater with 784 seats, making the venue the smallest to ever host a Cirque du Soleil residence production.
Acts The show contains the following acts:
Holo Moana - Russian Swing The Golden Age of Waikiki - Icarian Games & Juggling, inspired by Hawai'i tourism industry from the 1920s through 1940s Hina - Goddess of the Moon - Aerial Lyra Nalu - A Tribute to Surf Culture - Rola Bola, performed on a surfboard Aloha ʻAina - Love for the Land - Sand Painting Mamala - The Surf Rider - Water Bowl Fire & Volcanoes - Pele's Brothers - Wheel of Life
Reserve acts Jump rope (October 2025 - Present)
Retired acts Juggling (December 2024 - August 2025)
Music The music for ʻAuana is composed by Evan Duffy, who also composed the music for Mad Apple. The official sountrack was released as a studio album by Cirque du Soleil and BMG Rights Management (BMG) on July 17, 2026.
The tracks on the official soundtrack are listed below:
Ka'i 'AUANA Ala Moe Hānau ka Moana Kele ka Moana Holunape ka Niu Pō Mahina Ka Nalu Kai Māmala Māui Kolohe Pua Naupaka Aloha 'Āina Māui Ki'iki'i Pele 'Ai Honua Mimilo Ke Ānuenue Ho'i 'AUANA
Critical reception Honolulu Star-Advertiser, "Cirque du Soleil is known internationally for the mesmerizing aerialists and world-class specialty acts that make its show audience favorites. '‘Auana,' the Hawaii-themed Cirque show that officially opened Tuesday at the Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel, checks off both of those boxes in impressive style."
HONOLULU Magazine, "Cirque du Soleil: ‘Auana at the Outrigger Waikīkī Beachcomber Hotel is a dazzling world-class production that intertwines Cirque’s signature artistry and acrobatics with Native Hawaiian elements."
Beat of Hawaii, "For Hawaii visitors and residents alike, ‘Auana is a decidedly fresh way to experience Hawaii’s stories through a new lens. The show honors the islands’ cultural heritage while delivering Cirque du Soleil’s artistry. It’s a rare blend of entertainment and cultural celebration that feels familiar and extraordinary at the same time."
Orange County Register, "[T]he Diamond Head-sized effort it took to bring '‘Auana' to Hawaii was evident in all 80 minutes of this heartfelt and heart-stopping production."
BuzzFeed, "The show did not disappoint, delivering a beautiful fusion of Hawaiian culture and circus magic."
References
External links Official website