Polynesian Cultural Center Still #1

Friday and Saturday we went to the Polynesian Culture Center with a couple that is being interviewed for a job at BYUH. Tim is the head of the hiring committee for this particular position so we were kind of responsible for showing them around a bit. Anyway, we hadn't been for awhile and were anxious to see the new shows and updated features. You'll be happy to know that the Poynesian Culture Center is still the number one tourist attraction in Hawaii, although the down turn in tourism is certainly obvious during these economically stressed times.

A couple of changes to the place include an updated night show and a new section about the Iosepa,the boat built as a replica of the early sailing vessels of how the Polynesians first came to Hawaii. "Iosepa" is the Hawaiian word for Joseph. Several million dollars were spent on the A-frame shelter that the boat is stored in let alone the cost of building the boat itself. When in the ocean they often anchor the Iosepa by Hukilau beach area and have classes on board. The new presentation at the PCC tells in Hawaiian chant and dance the story of the coming of the early peoples to Hawaii. It is very well done and interesting.

Another change is that the island of Marquesas no longer has a show, which used to be a "pig hunt" because all the students from Marquesas have graduated and there are no new ones here right now. This village is now just an exhibit, which is a loss, I think.

One of my favorite villages has always been the Samoan one where they climb the palm tree, make fire by rubbing sticks, and crack the coconut with one blow and make coconut milk by shredding the meat and gathering it into coconut fibers and squeezing it. The leader of this village is an excellent comedian so the whole show is great fun. The new addition is a side show of this village where students and younger children explain the weapons used in early Samoa and show the fire dances that they are learning to some day be prepared for the big performance at the night show. It was a good close up of the practice and so interesting to watch. I shall attempt to include some videos with this blog of that practice.