WINTER GETAWAY TO HAWAII
WINTER GETAWAY TO HAWAII
BY Gerrye Wong December 5, 2024
When winter doldrums come, everyone wants to be on the move for the holidays. I found the perfect getaway for a relaxing escape from California’s cold weather – to the Island of Oahu. Oahu is a place where one can be as busy as you want, or as quiet and peaceful as one’s preference. There is something for everyone – from Waikiki’s upscale shopping to beautiful resort hotels with views of the beach and ocean. A perfect place for families is to take a one day adventure to the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) which celebrates the Aloha State’s diverse Polynesian background with award-wining performances and many interactive attractions for all ages. For obvious reasons, it continues since it was founded in 1963 to be Hawaii’s No. 1 tourism attraction. After spending a whole day on its large grounds, I could easily see why.
Meeting tree climber in his own art shop Canoe guide explains different islands on ride
It’s a long ride from Hawaii downtown to PCC but well worth the ride because it gives one a chance to see what the less active populated parts of Hawaii looks like. The often times two lane highway lends itself to making one drive island style – no rush, bruddah! In fact we stopped at a very popular spot, the Waiahole Poi Factory, where you can see poi being made and offered in a variety of ways with different flavors – a real hidden native spot to start your Hawaiian culinary adventure and a nice halfway stop for the driver to relax those tight driving shoulder muscles. Now you’re ready to approach the PCC destination that was voted one of the Top 10 Travelers Choice U.S. experiences by Tripadvisor.
Native houses to explore Maori tribesmen show art of sword fighting
The first warning before entering Polynesian Cultural Center is be prepared for a lot of walking to see the six villages and two exhibits highlighting islands from Fiji to Samoa, where hundreds of Polynesian islanders share their customs and activities with visitors. All ages seemed to enjoy the hands-on activities including playing Hawaiian games, throwing Tongan spears, paddling outrigger canoes, cooking and sampling Samoan dishes and twirling Maori poi balls. You could even join a Tahitian wedding party and I had fun getting a temporary tattoo on my leg in true native style. No matter which island you chose to visit, each of their vibrant cultures seem to come to life as performers and guides entertained and educated everyone of their particular customs. We discovered Maori villagers recounting their history and legends captured in the intricate details in the meeting houses built by master carvers using traditional logs brought in from New Zealand. Tahitians taught everyone the tamure, their native dance, but we California tourists decided it takes a lot talent in the hip movement we didn’t have.
PCC has scenic areas to rest and explore. Statues of Easter Island
As the sun sets, PCC offers award winning dining and show options. Of course the most popular dining option is the ALI’I LUAU, which proudly won the prestigious Kahili Award people’s choice for preserving Hawaiian culture. For newcomers to the Islands, the luau includes a lei greeting, royal course, imu roast pig carved right off the pig, and a chance to sample Hawaiian poke (raw fish dish) and many specific island food specialties. The crown jewel at the PCC is the evening show extravaganza, HA, Breath of Life. With a cast of hundreds of dancers, its story revolves around the tales of how the native islanders began their settlements in the different islands. Intertwined in the theme is a parade of native dancers and a spectacular performance by a troupe of dancers twirling their fire strewn batons in perfect precision. The master we saw our night there was a young lady who did masterful tricks while twirling her baton with fire balls at each end. The open air massive theater has good views of the dance choreography on the floor below. There is so much more to see and do – a canoe ride taking you through the many islands, the Hukilau Marketplace which featured shops offering local goods.
Sing along entertainers welcome audience participation Fire dancers show precision twirling fire strewn batons
Congratulations to the Church of Latter Day Saints who have been the founders and presenters of this fine property which shares the culture of the many islands of the area. I would label this a must-see for families who have not brought themselves and their families out to the Polynesian Cultural Center for an open air living history lesson on how the islands came into being and the types of specific cultures each found in their customs. For seniors who have problems with walking, motorized scooters can be rented from Hawaii Scooter company and are delivered to you at the PCC entrance which was a Godsend for me to quickly go from one village to another. Kalin Uluave informed me that should I need scooters other times during my Hawaii visit, they can be delivered to one’s accommodations and rented for multiple days. For seniors in your family who want to accompany everyone to all of Hawaii’s sights, whether it be the beach, the Honolulu Zoo, or Sea Life Park, I heartily recommend this wonderful service. For utility devices, check out the offerings and services by checking Oahumobilityscooters.com.
Aloha to wonderful day spent at the Polynesian Cultural Center
BISHOP MUSEUM ON OAHU
A hidden gem in Oahu is the beautiful building housing the Bishop Museum. Thanks to Board member Nancy Lueck who advised we should not overlook visiting the Bishop Museum If we wanted to learn more about the history of Hawaii. We learned from Director of Communications Ken Yatomi that the Bishop Museum is the largest museum in Hawaii and considered the premier national and cultural history institution in the pacific. It is the only museum of its type that is rooted in Hawaii and the Pacific with resources including hundreds pf library titles, over a million archival objects and two million archaeological and cultural objects.
Director Ken Yatomi shows us the open three story Hawaiian Hall
Walking into the three story building, our group marveled at the beauty of the wooden cabinets showcasing so much of Hawaii’s history. It once housed the King Kamehameha school, a school devoted exclusively to students of Hawaiian ancestry. The Museum itself was founded in 1889 by Charles Reed Bishop in honor of his late wife, Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the last descendant of the royal Kamehameha family. Its original purpose was to house the extensive collection of Hawaiian objects and royal family heirlooms of the Princess, and has expanded to include millions of objects, documents, and photographs about Hawai‘i and other Pacific Island cultures.
The three floors of Hawaiian Hall take visitors on a journey through the different realms of Hawai‘i. The first floor is the realm of Kai Ākea, which represents the Hawaiian gods, legends, beliefs, and the world of pre-contact Hawai‘i. The second floor, Wao Kanaka, represents the realm where people live and work, focusing on the importance of the land and nature in daily life. The third floor, Wao Lani, is the realm inhabited by the gods; here, visitors will learn about the ali‘i and key moments in Hawaiian history.
Yatomi and his staff members were proud to tell us, “Bishop Museum has been recommended by the New York Times as a first stop for visitors new to Hawaii, a place to gain a “deep background” of the physical and cultural evolution of the islands. Through its galleries, exhibitions, public programs and ongoing research, the Museum strives to showcase the rich and natural history of the Hawaiian Islands. Must-sees for visitors and locals alike include the ‘ahu’ula (feather cloak) and mahiole (feather helmet) of Kalani’opu’u in historic Hawaiian Hall and a J. Watumull Planetarium show highlighting the celestial phenomena in the Hawaiian night sky.
Like Ken Yatomi and Nancy Lueck, I recommend families and adults alike visit this Bishop Museum during your visit to Oahu to explore Hawaii’s cultural and natural heritage. With a legacy spanning over 130 years, the museum showcases over 25 million artifacts, each with its own special story to tell. Check Bishop Museum website for hours and reservations.
Thanks to Bishop Museum Board member for recommending visiting the Bishop Museum
