The Polynesian Cultural Center

Whew it was a hot day! 

The PCC is a great place to visit, with a section of the park dedicated to each of the Polynesian islands. Each destination is rich with things to see, do and learn. I think that my favorite was Samoa, where they demonstrated how to start fire with sticks and coconut husk, and how to crack a coconut and extract its milk in less than 5 minutes. They also climbed coconut trees, which I distinctly remember marveling at when I visited the PCC as a child with my own family - still just as impressive as it was when I was 12 years old! But I think that the best part of Samoa was Kap, an artist (and an unofficial comedian) who led the demonstrations for the afternoon. I purchased one of his sea turtle paintings while Shawn and Mimi enjoyed a fresh cold coconut. Kap is the primary tree climber featured in the new live action Moana film coming out this year. We'll keep an eye out for him! 

In Fiji, they had boats. In the extra's you can see Mimi's reaction to sitting on the boat and banging the drum with the mallet. 

Fiji had wonderful dance performances and temporary traditional tattoos. Aotearoa taught us how to twirl poi and delighted us with a hakka performance. In Tahiti, there was spear throwing and dance lessons. I was terrible at dance. Shawn was terrible at spear throwing. But it was all a wonderful time. Tonga had amazing drums.

And everywhere everyone was really nice! 

There was a boat parade down the river in the earlier afternoon, but we didn't arrive in time. We chose to meander our way through the North Shore instead, stopping again at Matsumoto Shave Ice on the way :) A photo of the town of Haleiwa is in my extras. 

There was a luau dinner and an evening theater show.  Today's blip is the dining area. Thank goodness Mimi was free of charge because all she ate were olives, baby corn and pineapple smoothie. Mimi was super tired by the start of the theater performance, so we couldn't stay for the whole show, but it was still a full and lovely day.