Hawaii 2010: Day 3

June 21, 2010: Polynesian Cultural Center.

We started the day at 10:00 AM, catching the bus to get to the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC). Our tour guide: Cousin Walter, was the best! He was really funny and since he's a native from Tonga and a product of the cultural center, he was really knowledgeable about the culture and tradition.

At first look, the tour would seem to be really pricey, starting at $65 for the basic package. But what we should know when going to the PCC is aside from helping preserve the Polynesian arts and customs, you are helping fund the education of Polynesian students who work as guides and performers, etc. To learn more about this, click here.

After getting off the bus, which turned out to be a mini tour in itself, we headed off for a barbecue lunch, then a canoe tour around the center.

There are six villages in the cultural center, each showcasing the arts and customs from their respective nations, namely: Samoa, Aotearoa (New Zealand), Fiji, Hawaii, Tonga and Tahiti.

The villages are very interactive, some will teach you dances, crafts, and even let you try food like 'poi.'

A Hawaiian game similar to chinese checkers; men from our group being taught how to dance tahitian style

Poi

Ricci with a performer from Fiji and me with someone from Tahiti

They also have cultural shows in each village. One of the main attractions is the Rainbows of Paradise Canoe Pageant. (click to play)

The Luau-Dinner show is next. Where you get to sample different polynesian delicacies while watching a display of songs and dances.

The day concludes with the show: "Ha: Breath of Life," (picture left) a production showcasing the different customs and and dances of the the different nations.

It's really a cultural theme park. The nice thing about it is, they have what's called, 'Free-within-three' which means for every ticket you bought with general admission, you can go back within any or each of the next 3 days. Help out NOW :)