Day 5: Polynesian Cultural Center

On the north-east coast of Oahu is the Polynesian Cultural Center.  This theme park is dedicated to the island countries of Polynesia with "islands" for each group.  The site is sponsored by Brigham Young University of Hawaii and allows students from the countries to come to university and earn money to pay for school.  We took "The Bus" which took about 2 hours each way but the scenery and the chance to see "real" Hawaiians was worth it.

View from canoe ride.

Grand Canal used for Canoe Pageant of Nations

Aotearoan War Canoe

Hawaiian Royalty

Fiji

Aotearoa means "Land of the Long Cloud" or New Zealand as we know it.

Samoa

Tahiti

Tonga

Each "village" had a show highlighting culture, music, dance or art.  The shows with the Tonga drummers, Aotearoa dancers and Somoan stand-up comic showing how to make fire and shell a coconut were great.  There were also some sillier moments as you can see...

Marilyn's new BFF

Dwight's four long lost brothers