A Very Happy Day in Hawaii

Now, to another very happy day in Hawaii.  This was one of my favorite days, and I think I could say that for all of us--the day we went to the Dole Pineapple Plantation and the Polynesian Cultural Center.  

This originally was just a fruit stand in 1950, but when they decided to open it to the public in 1989, it became one of Hawaii's most popular attractions.  Whenever we have gone with grand kids, this has always proven to be a must-see place.

It's crazy what you'll do when you don't have the grand kids to take pictures of!

Waiting for the Pineapple Express--the old train that takes you on a two-mile tour of the farm to let you see how not only pineapples are raised, but also cacao, coffee, etc.

Joyce looks like a movie star, doesn't she?!

We were all dressed in our leis which Joyce's niece had given us the first day we came since we would be going to the Polynesian Cultural Center after this.

Fields of pineapple.  One pineapple is right in the middle of that stalk--it takes 20 months for the first pineapple to grow!

In addition to the crops, there are beautifully landscaped areas for everyone's enjoyment along the track.

This is the water source for the plantation.

All along the way, there are signs to tell you what is growing there--this was cacao.

After the train ride, we got to walk through their beautiful gardens with every kind of vegetation native to Hawaii.

Coconuts which were green at this time.

This area reminded me of a small version of Keukenhof Gardens in Amsterdam where you see every kind of tulip there is.

We have these trees in Florida.  I love them because it looks like someone has splashed paint on them.  I believe they are called Mindanao gum trees.

Of course, you have to end a perfect morning by going inside to see the pineapple cutting demonstration and tasting the most exquisite pineapple you've ever tasted!  And then you have to finish it off with a pineapple ice cream cone!  Wow!!!  Nothing better!

After about another half hour hour drive, we got to the Polynesian Cultural Cener in Laie.  Absolutely one of the best times you'll ever have!  My sister told about this place in the following: 

POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER--

is a Polynesian-themed theme park or living museum located in Laie, on the northern shore of Oahu, Hawaii.  Owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) and dedicated on October 12, 1963, the PCC occupies 42 acres owned by nearby Brigham Young University--Hawaii. 

Within six simulated tropical villages, performers demonstrate various arts and crafts from throughout Polynesia. Visitors may also take a free shuttle tour of the university and see the Laie Hawaii Temple and its associated visitors' center of the LDS Church.

Seventy percent of the center's approximately 1,300 employees are students at BYU-Hawaii.  Although it is largely a commercial venture, PCC profits fund various scholarship programs at BYU–Hawaii. Students may work up to 20 hours per week during school terms and 40 hours during breaks.

First Stop:  The Islands of Aotearoa (New Zealand)  The thing that is so great about the Cultural Center is that each of the six islands are represented with small villages that simulate what it is like on that particular island with as many real natives of that island as possible, doing dances, and activities that they have passed down through the generations.  Here are Maori girls doing their dance with poi balls.  One of the activities is to learn how to do this.  It is actually very difficult to swing those poi balls and not hit them into each other or your own head! 

The dance that the men do is always so fun because they try to look so intimidating.

This was so great when the Maori woman paid tribute to those who had served in the Armed Forces, so my dad got to stand up.  

Notice how the Maori houses are built with roofs and colorful beams.  Since there are actually four seasons in New Zealand, their houses have to be much more weather resistant than those which have tropical weather all year.

Walking in between the islands, there is beautiful vegetation, flowers, and even wildlife.

We put our dad in a wheel chair because there is so much walking to do.  He has had to slow his walking pace down since he had his ten by-pass surgery at 80 years old.

Next Stop:  Samoa.  As I said, in addition to performances, there are, also, many activities at each of the islands.  But, in order to get to all of them, we just did the shows.  Seriously, you would need more than one day here to do it all!

Behind this young man, you can see the different type of meeting place than what was in New Zealand--thatched roof with open walls.  When our family thinks of Samoa, we think of our grandparents who spent the first three years of their married lives in Samoa on a mission for the Mormon Church.  They even had their first child there--my Uncle Lalovi, named for "Under the vi tree," a tree that grows in Samoa. 

This native Samoan showed us how to make fire.  He was really humorous and had us all laughing.

He was very successful and had it going in no time.  If anyone is ever going to be on "Survivor," (which everyone knows is one of my all-time favorite shows!), they need to go and take a lesson here about how to make fire.

He then showed how to open the coconut, get the milk out, and eat the coconut meat.  I remember when my little grandma went with us over 30 years ago.  All of this was so familiar to her, and when we saw this same demonstration, she raised her hand and told how the bristle that is on the outside of the coconut is the best pot scrubber in the world!  I thought that was really clever!

 

Now, another young Samoan demonstrated how they climb the coconut tree with their bare feet to get the coconuts.

Amazing!  The one at the stage then said this guy was going to jump from this tree to the next!  What!!!!  Just kidding!

Another favorite was just beginning--the Canoe Pageant, so we hurried over to get a good place.  Well, because our dad was in a wheel chair, we got to sit on a nice porch overlooking the water.  This was a perfect place to watch the colorful boats going down the stream which represented all six islands, with the people of their country dancing to the music of the Island orchestra in the picture above.


The welcoming canoe

After that, the first island:  Hawaii

Next:  Tonga

Tahiti--the fastest dance with the most hip action of all.



Samoa

Fiji - They had a young boy on this canoe who was just fantastic!






And:  Aotearoa (New Zealand)

The final canoe was the royalty dressed in their head dresses.  The music, the dancing, the colorful costumes are all just fantastic!

After the parade, we headed for Tonga.

This Tongan man seriously was one of the funniest entertainers I have ever seen here.  He had us all laughing hysterically.  He called for three volunteers, and they helped to make it so fun as they tried to learn how to play the Tongan drums.

Afterwards, we wanted to have our picture taken with him.  Beverly, especially wanted this taken since her son-in-law is half Tongan.

Next Stop:  Tahiti

Their demonstration was a traditional Tahitian wedding.

The bride and groom

It was all very beautiful.  We were running out of time, so we didn't get to see all of the islands, but we wanted to go back towards the front to catch the tram over to see the Brigham Young University Campus here in Hawaii, plus the Mormon Temple, so we headed that way.

Beautiful waterfalls along the way.

Beverly demonstrated another practical use of the coconut!


So, we all boarded the tram.

This campus has approximately 2,200 students, with 1,300 of them paying their way through school by working at the Polynesian Cultural Center.  It works so well for everyone this way--the students have jobs, and the public gets to enjoy a fantastic cultural experience!

A short distance away from the school is the Mormon Temple which was actually the fifth temple and first built outside the mainland of the United States.  There are now over 140 temples built throughout the world.

Because sacred ordinances are performed inside the temple which bind families together forever, I felt it was fitting that each of us take a picture with our dad in front of the temple.

We then went inside a building which is to the right called the "Visitors' Center" where there are displays and films about our beliefs that the public is invited to view.

Inside the Visitors' Center is a ten-foot marble replica of the "Christus."
After staying a short time there, we got back on the tram to head for the luau for dinner.  As you enter, everyone gets a "lei" greeting.

We no sooner got inside when Natalie saw a young man who her family knew very well.  He was going to school at BYU Hawaii and working as a server at the luau.  It was so fun to have him help us.  He treated us extra well!


The food is a traditional island menu:  Some of it looks a little different, but it was all very delicious. 

For instance:  the purple thing that looks like a sweet potato and the purple roll.  I believe it is made with poi flower.

While we ate, there was wonderful music and entertainment.

This adorable little guy was not only an entertainer, he helped with the serving, too!

Then it was off to the night performance in the big arena, which is partially covered and partially open-air.  

You can't take pictures of the performance which probably has over a hundred singers and dancers, but my sister Joyce got this one off their site.

You can't help but come away from the Polynesian Cultural Center with a smile on your face.  It is such a wonderful experience and so fun, too!