After a temple tour , we had lunch at a Mexican restaurant and we went to the Polynesian Cultural Centre which is very frequently visited by tourists to experience the various Polynesian cultures
The centre has six distinct villages representing the cultures of Hawaii, Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, Tahiti, and Aotearoa with dynamic presentations and hands-on activities. Hawaii radiates Aloha welcoming everyone as family with respect and love, Tonga outshines with courageous warmth and enduring grace, Samoa glows with joyful faith in the power of kinship, Fiji lives in deep spiritual devotion woven into every act, Tahiti holds fierce loyalty where family bonds are sacred and Aotearoa unites its people through powerful ancestral stories .
Together these islands form a beautiful and radiant tapestry of shared heritage and timeless strength. The Polynesians are an ethno linguistic group comprising of closely related ethnic groups native to Polynesia, which encompasses the islands within the Polynesian triangle in the Pacific ocean. They trace their early prehistoric origins to Island Southeast Asia and are part of the larger Austronesian ethno linguistic group, speak the Polynesian languages and Indigenous Maori people form the largest Polynesian population,
As of 2012, there are an estimated 2 million ethnic Polynesians worldwide, we had visited New Zealand previously which has the highest population of Polynesians and we have fond memories of their fascinating shows and fantastic food
Polynesians are great navigators and have skills that have been passed down through successive generations to present day which include reading stars, currents, clouds, and bird movements
The direct ancestors of the Polynesians are believed to be the Neolithic Lapita culture.
The Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) is a family-centered cultural tourist attraction and living museum in Oahu
The PCC is owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints, was dedicated on October 12, 1963 and occupies 42 acres of land belonging to nearby Brigham Young University of Hawaii
The PCC is one of the most frequently visited destinations for tourism in Hawaii, attracting 700,000 visitors annually and is the venue for the annual World Fire Knife Dance Competition, where contestants display their skills with blazing swords.
To make the most of one’s visit, one has to spend a full day, wear comfortable shoes, arrive early and be prepared for a lot of walking across the 42-acre property, even after using the free tram tour.
For first-time visitors who want to experience everything, a package like the Super Ambassador Luau is recommended for its comprehensive access to the luau and the evening show.
Of special interest are said to be the Canoe Pageant and "HA: Breath of Life" evening show in the Pacific theatre
We unfortunately didn’t have time for a whole day visit so we just visited the Hukilau Market place at the entrance which had a lot of fascinating shops and eateries
There was a huge bronze statue at the entrance of the Polynesian Cultural Centre, it is that of Hamana Kalili, a Hawaiian elder known as the "father of the shaka sign". The statue depicts him giving the shaka gesture, a symbol of "aloha" and friendliness which he did after losing his middle three fingers and used his thumb and little finger to wave. The shaka is a Hawaiian gesture where the thumb and little finger are extended while the three middle fingers are curled into the palm. It is used to convey a friendly message meaning hang loose, right on ,thank you, take it easy and also good vibes and unity .
We had our lunch at a market stall, we had ordered sea food and thoroughly enjoyed it ,of course we had to share it with our grandson’s temporary friends - a whole lot of birds who seem to be enjoying the spicy and oily food !
Evening was time for authentic Hawaiian music and hula shows by Hawaii’s finest Halau hula (dance troupes) and Hawaiian performers. It is held on Saturdays and 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of the month, if weather permits will last from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Kuhio Beach Hula Mound, diagonally across Kalakaua Ave near Hyatt Regency hotel ,it is presented by Aloha Festivals, Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa, Hawaii Tourism Authority, City & County of Honolulu and Waikiki Improvement Association.
We went to the place early so that we could also watch the sunset, already people had gathered, the show takes place on the pseudo stage with the turf grass under the huge banyan tree on Waikiki beach.
There was a seating area with some turf grass as well. Many people had brought some blankets or towels to lie down or sit on and some had brought over their beach chairs and camp chairs
Gradually the birds also returned to the banyan tree chirping aloud, there was a pleasant sea breeze blowing, as it was a free show people could come and go at their will
The show started with the powerful sound of the conch shell (pu kani) and torch lighting ceremony, there was a live band playing music, and hula dancers come out to perform as well.
They played different types of songs and explained what each song meant and the story it was telling. The dancers wore different costumes and performed both solo and group dances. It was an unique experience to sit near the beach listening to the sea on one side and melodious Hawaiian music on the other side
A senior man who had a lovely voice played the ukulele which is a member of the lute or ancient guitar, it is of Portuguese origin and was popularized in Hawaii
In addition to the Hula music and dance, the MC also invited couples from the audience who were celebrating anniversaries and presented them with lei garlands. The one-hour show was indeed very entertaining.
While walking back to our car parking we also witnessed the dance at the Royal Hawaiian centre for a short while, it was in a shopping mall.
One has to be sure to check the schedule before going to the show , as there are no shows if Kalakaua Avenue is closed for parades or street fairs.
We headed to our hotel appreciating our grandson who is just 4 yr old and had trudged for several long miles that day along with us without complaining even once
