“So what was your favorite state in terms of culture?” That’s another easy one for us… Hawaii! Besides being one of the most beautiful places on earth, Hawaii has a rich culture that cannot be ignored! The spirit of aloha… being in the presence of and sharing the essence of life, teaches us lessons of peace, kindness, compassion and responsibility to future generations. These lessons are expressed through chant, music, hula, arts and cultural practices, and through the warm, genuine greetings that are a hallmark of Hawaiian hospitality. We experienced this everywhere we went on our visit this past August. Most notably was when we visited the Polynesian Cultural Center. This is Hawaii’s #1 visitor attraction and has 6 island villages representing the unique island cultures of Hawaii, Tahiti, Tonga, Fiji, Aotearoa (New Zealand), and Samoa. This place was absolutely incredible! Here’s some of what you can experience in each village (all information taken from their website linked above… photos are ours):
Hawaii
Here you can experience the culture through sight, sound, smell and touch. Talented villagers share the beauty of the islands through dance and song while hula lessons are provided throughout the day under a magnificent shade tree. Next, try your hand at some ancient Hawaiian games. Demonstrations are also interactive as you taste freshly prepared poi, and discover the art of lauhala weaving. Even the village itself is a testament to Hawaiian ingenuity as you witness how the sky, land and sea work in harmony.
Tahiti
The Tahitians really know how to swing their hips, not to mention their knees. See for yourself. In the process, they’ll get you shaking and shimmying yourself. And don’t miss the special wedding ceremony, where you will discover romance with an island beat! You can also sample a delightful bite of melt-in-your-mouth coconut bread, try your hand at pole fishing from our little pier and practice throwing a spear at a coconut. Learn about underwater Tahitian pearl farms, full body tattoos and Tahitian royalty. Then visit the marae (Tahitian temple), a holy place where walls don’t exist, but devotion abounds.
Tonga
The Tongan presentation really gets the crowd clapping while roars of laughter fill the air. Are you ready to have some fun? Learn how to dance sitting down, enjoy some foot-stomping island music and watch audience volunteers morph into mighty drummers during the lively cultural performance held throughout the day. You can also paddle a native-style outrigger canoe like the islanders used centuries ago, play the Tongan shuffleboard game called lafo and test your skills throwing spears. It’s all about the details in Tonga. Want to feel what it’s like to be royal? The Queens Summer House showcases the best of the best! In fact, from beautiful handmade tapa mats, to the geometric lashing of support beams in our meeting house and even to our trees and posts draped with cheerful flowers….its’ all meant to welcome you, the honored guests.
Fiji
Feel the power as Fijian warriors give you an enthusiastic welcome while the women entertain with traditional dance. Then get your Fijian groove on pounding a derua (bamboo stick). You can also learn how to be a time traveler in Fiji by stepping from here to there! Confused? It will all make sense in the Fijian Village where you can learn how to make coconut oil, get a tattoo (temporary style, of course) and gaze up, up, up at the awe inspiring 6 story temple. While you’re there, make sure to locate the chief’s home. Just be careful. Entering the wrong door can become an international incident!
Aotearoa (New Zealand)
Your Maori experience begins as you are formally welcomed to the village, and deepens as you listen to our harmonic songs and feel the power of the Haka, a Maori war dance. You can test your agility by learning ancient games of skill still taught to Maori school children. Next, watch our skilled artisans carve some deadly looking weapons, discover some of the more interesting cooking and food preservation methods and learn about a type of facial tattoo that was definitely only for the brave!
Samoa
If you like to laugh – a lot – come see one of the Center’s most popular cultural presentations where you will learn how to crack open a coconut using a small rock, marvel as our strong young men climb 40-foot coconut trees in their bare feet and see what happens when you combine fire and sharp weapons. Speaking of fire, can you start one with two sticks? In Samoa, yes you can! You can also learn how to twirl a fire knife, weave a fish and cook bananas. As you stroll through our village, take a moment to notice how the unusual domed shaped buildings are constructed without nails and how they create their own natural air conditioning.
As the day began to wind down, we attended the aliʻi lūʻau buffet. This was absolutely incredible! Taste, sight and sound unite to bring you the ultimate lūʻau experience. Dine in their authentic “all you can eat” Polynesian buffet while enjoying an island extravaganza of song, dance and celebration from across the Pacific.
To cap off the day, we attended the HĀ: Breath of Life Show. The symbolic story of Mana and his beloved Lani, punctuated by Polynesian dance, music and blazing fireknives, is told in “HĀ: Breath of Life,” the stunning evening show featuring over 100 Polynesian natives, special effects, animation and surround sound. It is a Pacific isle saga of birth and death, love and family, tragedy and triumph. It was an unforgettable experience that will stay with us forever! (HĀ: Breath of Life Show photos taken from their website linked at the beginning of this post… photography is prohibited inside this venue).
After all was said and done… and now after having visited all 50 states as a family, this was easily the top/best/#1 cultural experience that we’ve had in all of our travels across the USA! If you’re planning a visit to Hawaii, you absolutely cannot leave the Polynesian Cultural Center off of your itinerary! Mahalo!
Quest for 50 states 