After another hearty breakfast prepared by Violy, Rory walked me to the Ala Moana Hotel which was the pick-up point for my bus tour. I hopped on board the bus at the scheduled time and was on my merry way. Enroute to the other hotels where passengers were scheduled to be picked up next, the tour bus driver pointed out some places of interest, one of which was the Ilikai Hotel that was featured in the opening helicopter scene of Hawaii 5-0. Coooool!
I met Laurie (another single traveler from Vancouver) on the bus and kinda hung around with her for the rest of the tour. Company is always welcome, and that way we could take pictures of each other.
We were dropped off at Pearl Harbor to meet up with our tour guide, Kenn, and the rest of the members of our tour group. We then hopped on board Kenn’s bus whereby, along the way, he pointed out places of interest, one of which was Ford Island where the US Navy Seals and commanding generals live, as well as the military barracks which is the 2nd largest in the U.S.
In his narration, Kenn explained about poi, a Hawaiian word for the primary staple food made from the taro plant, produced by mashing the cooked taro until it is a highly viscous fluid. Water is added during mashing and again just before eating to achieve the desired consistency. I can’t wait to try it during our luau feast that evening.
Our first stop was the Dole Pineapple Plantation. There are a number of fun things to do when visiting the plantation. One is the Pineapple Express, a two-mile train ride which offers fully narrated journey around the plantation grounds where one can learn about the history of pineapples in Hawaii and why the fruit flourishes there, as well as the compelling tale of James Dole, the man behind the pineapples and the success of the Dole Plantation.
However, since we were given only 20 minutes at this stop, we didn’t have time to do the train ride. Besides, it was pouring rain! So I just tried the pineapple ice cream.
Pineapple and ice cream are quite a combo. In fact, it’s what keeps visitors coming back to Dole Plantation. Some admit to making the long drive out there just to get a scoop or two of the tropically creamy blend. I especially liked that this treat is topped off with fresh pineapples. It’s like a double whammy blend of tropical goodness that sends visitors frolicking off into the pineapple fields (sort of). That’s probably because it’s the freshest ice cream around. Made with very savory crops grown by Dole, this frozen treat can cool you off within moments of all that tastebud mingling, especially on a muggy rainy day.
As we drove out of Dole Plantation, I was amazed at acres over acres of pineapple fields that abound in the area. According to Kenn, pineapples in Hawaii have 2 varieties: (1) the four-year cycle with 2 harvests; and (2) the five-year cycle with 3 harvests. He said that the 1st harvest is the sweetest and stays and sold only in Hawaii, whereas the 2nd and 3rd harvests are those sent overseas. Moreover, the pineapples are supposed to be sweeter in Hawaii due to iron oxides in the soil that also causes it (soil) to look red.
On the way to the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC), we were taken for a little tour of the North Shore. We passed by several gorgeous beaches along the way but did not have time to stop and explore as the plan was to get to the PCC by lunch time.
However, we had a brief stop at Sunset Beach for a few clicks:
Sunset Beach is known for its unparalleled big wave surfing during the winter season. With palm-fringed shoreline, warm water and golden sand, swimming, snorkeling, body surfing and body boarding are all possible. However, like many beaches on Oahu’s North Shore, Sunset Beach is considered dangerous for inexperienced surfers due to extensive coral formations near the surface that present the risk of serious injury.
With the gorgeous beaches behind us, we reached the PCC just as they opened the doors to the grand dining hall where a BBQ lunch was served buffet style. Even though it was essentially a giant dining hall, the decor was elegant and tropical; and the murals on the wall honored all the immigrants who made their way to Hawaii. Food was in abundance that I didn’t know where to start and what to eat - a salad bar where greens were fresh and glistening (and probably the crunchiest greens I’ve ever tasted!); different dishes of meat and fish, as well as an assortment of desserts.
As a backgrounder, the Polynesian Cultural Center, as Hawaii’s most popular paid tourist attraction, offers something found nowhere else - the opportunity to experience the culture not just of Hawaii, but also of other Polynesian island groups, all in one place. It consists of seven recreated traditional villages of Hawaii, Samoa, Aotearoa (Maori New Zealand), Fiji, Tahiti, Tonga and the Marquesas, with each village showcasing its heritage, culture and architecture.
And so, after a nice heavy meal, I decided to venture around. Besides, I had to have some clicks:
The first village that I went to was Samoa, which everyone should never miss. They had a great show with one of the guys showing how to open a coconut and get the milk from it. Then he scaled the palm tree and shot up there like it was nothing! I was impressed! Besides, the Samoan chief was so hilarious that he had me laughing my guts out as he made his spiels. He explained that the Samoans were the happiest people he knew because they had made peace with one important fact of life – women call the shots – and that it’s the men who cook the food (sounds familiar, haha) and keep the house clean.
Thereafter, I proceeded to the riverbank to get a good seat for the canoe pageant.
The Polynesian Cultural Center’s “Rainbows of Paradise” canoe pageant is a parade of canoes that showcases the signature dances of each of the Polynesian culture. Dancers and musicians from the six island nations, who shared songs, dances and stories of their respective islands, performed atop outrigger canoes in the lagoon.
The canoe pageant was informative and very entertaining. It was great to see all the different islands, with their similarities and differences.
After the canoe pageant, I separated myself from the tour group and took a tram tour of the Mormon Temple, passing through Brigham Young University, a private university owned and operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons). Approximately 97% of the university’s 2800 students are members of the Church.
We got off the tram and ventured onto the grounds of the Mormon Temple where I enjoyed the ambience, especially its beautiful and serene environment. I excused myself from entering the temple and just had one of the students take my photos of the surroundings.
After half an hour, I was back on the grounds of the PCC. I then decided to go on a canoe ride. And I had one of the most hilarious experiences during this time, so hear me out.
Anyhow, when I went to the “loading dock” for the canoe ride, I noticed a long lineup. But since I didn’t want to waste my time waiting in long lines, I pushed my tiny self towards the front (almost) of the line. A canoe full of tourists was about to leave. But one of the attendants said that the canoe can still sit 5 more people and then asked for volunteers. I volunteered myself since I was by myself and so I got on the canoe. I was so intent on riding the canoe as fast as I could that I failed to notice it was a Japanese tour and, of course, the tour would be in Japanese. Agh! But since it already left the dock, I couldn’t jump off ship, so to speak. So I psyched myself to just enjoy the ride and the surrounding view. And since I couldn’t understand what the tour guide was saying, I just followed everything what everyone did. While we were passing under the bridge, everybody looked up and touched the underneath part of the bridge, so I did the same. When everybody looked to the right, I did the same. And when everybody looked to the left, I did the same. I felt like an idiot since I really had no idea what the tour guide was pointing to. But I don’t think I missed anything since it was just a short ride from one end of the center to the other, with the different villages along the route.
After the canoe ride, I walked back by browsing through the other villages without really staying since it was time to line up for the luau (Kenn told us to line up ahead of the other tourists so we can get good seats).
I eventually re-joined the tour group while lining up for the luau. I then told them of my hilarious experience during the canoe ride and they all burst out laughing. One of the ladies explained to me that the reason why you touch the underneath part of the bridge is for good luck. It’s a good thing I did it even though I didn’t understand the reason behind it at that time. Also, the commentaries were about the history of the village-islands, so I don’t think I missed anything.
When it was time, we were welcomed into a great outdoor dining hall with leis and were seated by hosts, asking for orders on “drinks” served on pineapples. There was singing and dancing on the stage by actual performers.
The emcee then asked those people who were (or will be) celebrating their birthdays to rise and, of course, I stood up. Everybody then sang a “happy birthday” song. A couple from Ohio (to my right on the photo below) from our tour group paid for my pineapple “pina colada” as a birthday gift. Nice, eh?
The emcee then asked those couples who were either on their honeymoon or celebrating their anniversaries to come up the stage. They all then danced to the song sang by the performers. The atmosphere was really fun!
Thereafter, the emcee invited those who were interested to watch a kalua pig being dug out of an imu (underground oven). Since it’s similar to what we have (lechon) in the Philippines, I opted to stay in my seat and enjoy my drink.
With the ceremony done, the buffet dinner started, composed of local food, such as kalua pork (but of course), poi, taro bread (which I love), ahi poke and lomilomi salmon, as well as an assortment of salad and yummy desserts. Hula dancers performed while we were having dinner. Again, I was too excited to eat much of anything. I just enjoyed the stage presentation, the camaraderie of our tour group and the entire experience as a whole.
Next on the agenda was the theatrical show, “Ha: The Breath of Life”.
As a side note, before Kenn released us after lunch, we were given our respective tickets for the show. I was assigned a seat on Row F. However, when I saw where it was located, I disregarded it and headed for the front row since numerous seats were vacant, thinking that I will just leave if somebody will claim it. As luck would have it, they turned out to be empty seats. But then, just after the show started, one of the ushers whispered to me by asking for my ticket. When she saw my seat number, she stated that I would need to pay extra if I wish to sit on the front row. Since I didn’t want to pay more than I should, I opted to move (not to my assigned seat, mind you) but to an empty aisle seat several rows back which actually turned out to have a much better view. Talk about serendipity……
Anyhow, the show was incredible! The story was very entertaining and the dancers were mesmerizing. And the talents of the performers were limitless. They were singing, dancing and playing with fire – it was a show to behold!
The story revolves around the birth of a boy, Mana; his life as a child in the Polynesian islands; as a young man who falls in love with a girl whose father will have him prove his mettle; as a husband and a son protecting his land; and as a Polynesian, strong and proud, and in touch with his “Ha”. It was pretty moving that at the end of the show, we were all on our feet applauding the performers. For me, the show was the highlight of the entire day at the Polynesian Cultural Center.
The show ended at 9:00pm and everyone was loaded back on the bus by 9:30pm. Rory picked me up at the drop-off point, Ala Moana Hotel, at 10:30pm and I immediately hit the bed because I had another early morning adventure planned.
Yes, I was going to Maui!!!
Postscript: What I really liked about the way things are run at the Polynesian Cultural Center was that they employed students to help them earn their tuition. This was a way for them to feel a sense of kinship and camaraderie, learn about and cherish their cultural legacy, and earn some money for college as well.
I’ve read a lot of negative reviews about the Polynesian Cultural Center saying that it is way too commercialized and that it is not worth the cost. But in my own view - yes, it’s about an hour’s drive from Honolulu, but the drive that takes you there is one of the most stunning and scenic drives and, on a beautiful day, it’s paradise. And yes, it’s expensive. But it IS Hawaii - where everything is expensive! Besides, it’s an all-day pass of 12 hours of fun and culture and is something one should NOT do as a quick tour but rather carve out an entire day to enjoy the different scheduled presentations in different villages to teach visitors about the Polynesian islands and their traditions. Most of all, you have to be a willing participant to learn in order to enjoy yourself.
For me, I loved it. But then again, I have an open mind and who appreciate the cultures of other people. My only regret is that I did not have enough time to really explore the other villages. But overall, I had a great time.
To Be Continued.....
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