Polynesian Cultural Center

As travelers, we are always walking a fine line between trying to see and do everything and not looking like a kook tourist. But you also dont want to fall into any tourist traps either. So you go look for your own amazing things and leave the crowds behind. But sometimes something is cool enough to warrant a look...

If you find yourself on Oahu, The Polynesian Cultural Center on the East side definitely is a must do. Located next to the Brigham Young University Hawaii, it offers youth from all the islands of Polynesia the chance to come to Oahu and get a college education, who work at the PCC and teach people about their culture.

While they gloss over some of the human sacrifice and cannibalism, they do a great job of displaying life in the islands and teaching the prettier side of it to. I was cataloging a lot of information for our hopeful departure to a boat/cruising lifestyle such as tree climbing, palm frond weaving, wood carving, coconut harvesting, emu (underground pit) cooking etc...

The canoe pagent was insane, with beautiful displays of dance and song. We scored a sick spot on this little island right in the middle of the entire thing after talking to a lady who clued us in to a good vantage point. But the real showcase is the Horizons night show, a full on show with a huge amount of dancers, fantastically choreographed with awesome music. It features traditional dancing and songs from each of the islands in the Polynesian chain, plus some more contemporary hula too. My favorite was the Tahitian hula (think the fast "motor butt" hips), the Tongan drum solo's and the Samoan fire dancing.

All in all, it was a great day and if you had to pick out a Luau to attend on a visit to Hawaii (cheesy, but necessary), why wouldn't you want to help support some kids trying to go to college? Who know's, you might learn something.

Big Mahalo's to Jeremy and Tracy Thomas for the experience!!!

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