News... Polynesian Cultural Center Show Wows Oahu Visitors
Families heading to Oahu have a new don't-miss attraction, and it's not the USS Arizona Memorial. It's the Polynesian Cultural Center on the North Shore. This unusual tourist attraction is a wonderful showcase of Polynesian peoples and features cultural displays from Fiji, Tonga, New Zealand, Tahiti, Samoa, the Marquesas, Easter Island, and Hawai'i. Oahu itself is an island that sometimes gets a bad name for being too touristy, but that's not what the Mucalov family thought, as you can read in their account of an Oahu family vacation.
The new evening spectacular, "Ha: Breath of Life" is a $3 million show that uses new technolgy, animation, music, dance and great storytelling to bring to life the diverse cultures of Polynesia to visitors. According to Tim Brown, a spokesperson for the cultural center, the local community of indigenous peoples on the North Shore contributed a great deal to the development of this show, which showcases the values of many Polynesian societies. To make it as authentic as possible, each universal theme is portrayed by the respective culture, illustrated with dance and music that harken back to the 1960's before much of the island culture was diluted by tourism.
In this video, FamilyTravelForum.com shares a preview of their new evening show, "Ha" -- you can read more about the principal of Ha and what it means to Hawaiians in this wonderful blog called "Giving Ha".
“The new show was in production for more than three years with a coordinated effort that started at the grassroots level in our island villages and worked its way through our skilled production team,” said Alfred Grace, chief operating officer for the Polynesian Cultural Center. " We’re really excited to share Ha with everyone and bring something new to Hawaii’s visitor industry to help further enhance our destination.”
Many of the performers are former Polynesian islanders who attend Brigham Young University, a faith-based school on Oahu, because the Polynesian Cultural Center is actually a non-profit educational mission of the Church of the Latter Day Saints.
In addition to the show, a day at the Cultural Center enriches any Hawaii beach vacation. Families can tour the beautifully-landscaped, 42-acre settingon their own, watch islanders re-enact ancient war dances or hear tales of ancient transoceanic navigation. Plan on spending the afternoon -- catch the canoe pageant in the lagoon --and evening too; everythingn is open daily except Sunday. For dinner, try a luau complete with traditional roast pig and hula dances - it's considered the island's most authentic.
After the luau wraps up at dusk, there's time for the new 90-minute show geared to all ages. Admission rates to the PCC vary by age and what activities you want to try, so you might want to visit over two days. Transportation is available from most Waikiki hotels.
Families can learn more at the Polynesian Cultural Center website or call for reservations at 800/367-7060. You'll be teaching everyone in the family something new and supporting a worthwhile cause.
