My trip to The Hawaiian island of Oahu - Part Two

Day Three

We enjoyed a day at Polynesian Cultural Center with the Ali'i Luau Package that we purchased from Costco Travel.

The tour includes round-trip transportation from Waikiki, one day of admission to the six villages (Hawaii, Aotearoa, Fiji, Samoa, Tahiti, Tonga), the long canoe pageant, the Ali'i Luau buffet and the HA Breath of Life Night Show with preferred seating.

We took a transportation shuttle from Waikiki Beach to Polynesian Cultural Center

Mokolii is a small island that we saw on our way to Polynesian Cultural Center. Mokolii translates from Hawaiian as ‘little lizard’. It is also commonly known as Chinaman's Hat.

Canoe tours schedule in Polynesian Cultural Center

A canoe tour in Polynesian Cultural Center of Oahu, Hawaii

With limited time, we weren’t able to experience all six villages. But I listed a little more details below so visitors know what else they can expect in the culture center.

Island of Hawaii

Play ancient games, dance with grace, learn how to fish without a net and taste freshly prepared poi, and discover the art of tapa weaving. Talented villagers share the beauty of the islands through dance and song while hula lessons are provided throughout the day under a magnificent shade tree.

The Ahu ula (feather cloak), and the mahiole (feather helmet) were symbols of the highest rank of the chiefly aliʻi class of ancient Hawaii. Feathers measured the size of thumbnail. Some cloaks use nearly 500,000 feathers to complete.

Island of Aotearoa

Learn the significance of Maori tattoos, test your dexterity by playing with twirling poi balls, watch skilled artisans carve some deadly looking weapons, discover some of the more interesting cooking and food preservation methods and feel the power Maori warrior dance known as, “the Haka”.

Island of Fiji

Feel the beat, honor the chief, gaze upon a Fijian skyscraper, and learn why their warriors are mighty and feared. You can learn how to make coconut oil, get a tattoo (temporary style) and gaze up, up, up at the awe inspiring 6 story temple.

The replica in the Fiji Village at The Polynesian Culture Center on Oahu, Hawaii is the only ‘bure kalou’ (the Fijian Spirit House) outside of Fiji. They believed that the taller the place of worship, the closer the people would be to their gods.

Camakau are a traditional watercraft of Fiji

Island of Samoa

Feel the heat, show some muscle, enjoy Samoan song and dance and marvel as a young warrior climbs a 40-foot coconut tree-in his bare feet. You can also learn how to twirl a fire knife, weave a fish and cook bananas. As you stroll through the village, take a moment to notice how the unusual domed shaped buildings are constructed without nails and how they create their own natural air conditioning.

Island of Tahiti

Swing your hips, try a bite, snag a fish, and share the love. Don’t miss the special wedding ceremony, where you will discover romance with an island beat! You can also sample a delightful bite of melt-in-your-mouth coconut bread, try your hand at pole fishing from a little pier and practice throwing a spear at a coconut. Learn about underwater Tahitian pearl farms, full body tattoos and Tahitian royalty.

Island of Tonga

Toss a spear, laugh until your sides hurt, choose your favorite 'guest' drummer, and paddle a native-style outrigger canoe like the islanders used centuries ago, play the Tongan shuffleboard game called lafo and test your skills throwing spears.

The Polynesian Cultural Center’s “Rainbows of Paradise” canoe pageant performed from 2:30 to 3:00. Dancers and musicians from six island nations, Hawaii, Aotearoa (New Zealand), Fiji, Tahiti, Tonga and Samoa, share songs, dances and stories of their respective island homelands.

The beginning of The Polynesian Cultural Center’s ‘Rainbows of Paradise’ canoe pageant

Hawaiian dancers and singers in the Polynesian Cultural Center’s ‘Rainbows of Paradise’ canoe pageant

Dancers and singers of Tonga in the Polynesian Cultural Center’s ‘Rainbows of Paradise’ canoe pageant

Tahitian dancers and singers in the Polynesian Cultural Center’s ‘Rainbows of Paradise’ canoe pageant

The Ali'i Luau buffet was impressive. We dined in our authentic “all you can eat” Polynesian buffet while enjoying an island extravaganza of song, dance and celebration from across the Pacific. We really enjoyed the dinner and show were offered.