Polynesian Culture day

Birthday luau head bands

Experiencing the Dole whip

Kids with Samoan fire dancers

Today is Rebecca’s birthday, and we packed it with some Polynesian fun.  Of course, at 0630, our day started with the call to surf from our host Jed’s deep booming voice.  This morning, we would be accompanied by our two oldest sons.  We are two generations of surfers. 

The trade winds are still prevalent, and kicking up a surface chop, however, the surf is still churning with a decent ground swell, with clean faces.  My shoulders are aching from a lot of paddling, but Mason and Dylan catch a bunch of fun little rides.  Makes a dad proud. 

The entry and departure from the water is a bit of a sketchy scene, so I am sure to watch the boys closely.  Both must be timed with the incoming swell surge, and either  jumping from a rock over the reef, or paddling in between rocks covered with shallow water.  It works out OK though.

Back at the house, it is time to give Rebecca her cards.  Most of our celebration was done last night, but it is her official birthday today.  We also took some more pictures in honor of this grand day with her lei.

After breakfast, and a quick clean up, we are off for the day.  First stop is Whole Foods for Reb’s  lunch, and the kids and I settle for the slightly less organic Subway.   We pack the cooler full of our lunch sandwiches, and head off to the scenic route for the Polynesia Culture Center.

Stopping on base, we hit the tent sale for snorkeling equipment, which is better than the gear we are using at home.  Our intent was to leave it for our hosts, but the kids are kicking up a lot of resistance.  Even though the cost was right, it still  means we are headed for a lot of snorkeling over the next few days. 

Being on Pearl Harbor brought back a lot of memories for me and my many months deployed here back when I was in the Navy.  Truly some fond reminescents.

Departing base, our next stop was the Dole plantation.  We had intended to take the challenge of the world’s largest maze,  a landscaped maze of high bush/shrubs.  It takes an average of 45 minutes, so we soon realized that our time would be limited.  We instead opted to sample the soft serve pineapple treat we called a Dole whip.  

 We briefly walked around the visitor complex viewing the many different breeds of pineapple growing there as well as some really cool trees with multi colored bark. 

Back on the highway, we crested the pineapple fields, and were greeted with a scenic view of the ocean, Kaena Point, and the North shore. 

Being Memorial Day, traffic was less than favorable.  It seemed like every family in Hawaii was making their way to the North shore for the day, and the stop and go traffic favored the “stop” portion.

The views of the water were incredible though, and we slowly crept around the island passing the North shore, its famous surf spots, Waimea, and Turtle cove finally arriving late at the Polynesia Culture Center a bit late to meet Jed, Hayden and Preston.

I was always a bit averse to the PCC on previous visits to Hawaii due to the high “tourist factor”  I am truly glad my family got to experience this wonderful event.  There are villages set up for 7 of the Polynesian culture: Hawaii, Tonga, Fiji, Samoa, Tahiti, Aoteaora, Marquesas with interactive shows, and displays.  The kids had a blast learning about the cultures in a very fun way.  Our eldest teenager was even seemingly engaged.  That is no easy feat.  Thanks PCC.

At mid day, there was a Canoe pageant held with each culture displaying the male and female dances, costumes and rituals of their islands.  Very cool.

Once we had toured all of the villages that we could, it was time for the Samoan luau.  Samoa was one of the coolest shows, and they displayed fire making, coconut husking, coconut tree climbing, and some amusing entertainment by the “Chief”

The luau was amazing, lots of dance and pageantry of the Samoan costumes, rituals, traditions, including some fire dancers.

We dined to our fill on the wonderful sampling of Samoan fare.  The kids kept sneaking up to the dessert table. 

All of the luau diners with May birthdays were asked to stand for the Happy Birthday song, and presented with a coconut palm frond head band.  We were represented by Rebecca and Ryan, and she crept out from her usually covert birthday shell.  She had adamantly instructed us NOT to tell anyone at the luau it was her birthday for fear of the excessive attention it may bring.

After dinner, we made our way to the Pacific theater for the big show.  It was an amazing show with fire, water, dancers, and a story of “Ha’, the breath of Life.”  It was essentially an adaptation of the “circle of life” with a Polynesian flair.  Very elaborate, ornate, and spectacular with booming drum beats, fire and choreographed dance exhibition.  Wonderful.

The tired crew made it back into the car, and we drove the hour back to our house, skirting the windward coastline.  Another full day of wonderful experience leaving our family begging for bedtime.