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===Polynesian Cultural
Center Shows ===
Pageant of Long Canoes
Five thousands years of
legend and lore are acted out in a rousing canoe pageant held daily on the
quiet lagoon that meanders through the Center's 42 tropical acres. Nearly 50
Polynesians in traditional costumes treat you to their interpretations of
Pacific history and myths in memorable fashion. Pageant begins at 2:30 PM.
Horizons
The
largest Polynesian revue of song and dance in the world, features over 100
native performers from all corners of the Pacific. Dressed in native attire,
Polynesians share their histories, traditions and spirit in the same way
their ancestors did for centuries.
The spectacle's fire knife
champions and fire walkers offer dramatic accents to an unforgettable
evening. Reservations are highly recommended for the world's largest and
finest Polynesian revue. Closer, center seats are included in the Ambassador
Package. Other ticket holders may upgrade to similar "preferred"
seating.
=== Hawaii's
Most Authentic Luau ===
Polynesian Cultural
Center Ali'i Luau - Luau Package
Winner of the coveted Kahili Award for preserving Hawaiian culture, the Ali'i
Luau is considered the island's most authentic luau.
The secluded luau site
includes a picturesque tropical lagoon, a 15-foot high waterfall and "imu"
(the Hawaiian word for underground oven) in which the luau pig is baked.
Though luau guests enjoy the
breezy open-air setting of a Polynesian-style hut, the dining room seats more
than 500 guests in comfort, even if it's raining outside.
The luau experience begins
with each guest being greeted with a shell lei. Before the dinner program
begins, guests gather at the imu pit to see the roast pig lifted off the
steaming rocks of the underground oven.
The blowing of a conch shell
announces the arrival of Hawaiian royalty, the Ali'i court. Ali'i were
believed to be descendants of heavenly beings whose responsibility was to
manage the affairs of the land and people on behalf of the gods.
The all-Hawaiian show begins
with hula kahiko, or ancient dances, that tell stories of old Hawai'i,
starting with the birth of King Kamehameha who unified the islands.
Women's, men's and
children's hula dances take guests on a nostalgic tour of Hawaiian musical
styles, including songs of the Thirties and Forties and the classic sounds of
the Hawaiian steel guitar. Audience participation is an integral part of the
program, with guests called on to help sing "Pearly Shells" and
other favorites.
Doors open at 5:00 PM and
the program begins at 5:30 PM. The luau wraps up by 6:30PM leaving guests
enough time to do some shopping before the night show. They leave the Ali'i
Luau with a warm feeling that comes from experiencing the food, flavor and
fun of old and new Hawai'i.
=== IMAX Theatre at
Polynesian Cultural Center ===
The IMAX™ Polynesia Theater
The Polynesian Cultural Center’s 600-seat IMAX™ Theater features the
spectacular Coral Reef Adventure, shown on a gigantic screen measuring 65
feet high (19.8m) and 93 feet wide (28.4m).
Show Times:
Coral Reef Adventure is shown daily at 12:30, 1:30, 3:00, 4:00 and 5:00 (in
Japanese).
Note: The movie titles may change without notice.
The Movie :
MacGillivray-Freeman's Coral Reef Adventure follows the real-life expedition
of renowned underwater filmmakers Howard and Michele Hall as they explore
unique locations in Fiji, Australia's Great Barrier Reef — on and near Lizard
Island National Park, the fabled waters off Tahiti, and then 200 miles east
in the coral atoll lagoon of Rangiroa, French Polynesia.
After diving for over three decades the Halls are concerned with the decline
of some of their favorite sites and have captured spectacular images they
hope will help raise awareness about the plight of coral reefs, as well as
the health of the global oceans.
This amazing IMAX™ film shows how reef animals rely on each other in
surprising ways. You’ll dive with the Halls on mysterious deep reefs, swim
with hundreds of grey reef sharks, and then zoom through coral canyons while
riding a fast current beneath the waves. But sadly, you’ll also swim through
vast stretches of bleached coral boneyards and learn more about this
underwater devastation.
During the journey the Halls meet scientists and conservationists working to
understand and save the reefs, such as Rusi Vulakoro in Fiji and the
world-renowned ocean advocate, Jean-Michel Cousteau. Howard and his team,
joined by deep-sea ichthyologist (a fish scientist) Richard Pyle, also
descend to a dangerous 350 feet in search of deep ocean corals and rare
species in the seldom visited underwater realm dubbed "the Twilight Zone."
In Tahiti, the Halls join a local chapter of Reef Check, an international
organization of divers who help study local coral resources; and finally, in
Rangiroa Howard searches for huge schools of sharks known to live there. The
300 they find, all at once, are a good sign for the health of the whole
marine ecosystem.
In addition to traditional island songs, the soundtrack includes music by
Crosby, Stills & Nash, and narration by award-winning actor Liam Neeson.
MacGillivray-Freeman first released Coral Reef Adventure in 2003. Personal
souvenir copies can be purchased on DVD at the
IMAX™ Theater's Hukilau Store.
=== Family Activities at
Polynesian Cultural Center ===
Keiki
(kid’s) Activities
Youngsters of all ages will enjoy the lively games
and educational arts practiced by Polynesian children for hundreds of years.
Every village at the Center features authentic, native activities that
sharpen skills, improve coordination, and spark the mind. Ask any island
representative to explain the activities listed below:
Islands
of Samoa
Fiti: Samoan “pick-up sticks.”
Making Fire by rubbing sticks and using coconut fibers for tinder.
Islands
of New Zealand
Tititorea: A traditional stick game.
Poi Ball: Swing poi balls in rhythm.
Ta Moko: Painted facial tatoos
Islands
of Fiji
I Cibi: (“ee thee bee”) A cross between shuffleboard and marbles.
Derua: Bamboo drums.
Islands
of Tahiti
Pere Fa‘anu‘u: Tahitian checkers.
Tai‘a: Tahitian fishing.
Patia Fa: Spear throwing.
Weave your own Tahitian headband.
Islands
of Hawai‘i
Konane: Hawaiian checkers.
Ulu Maika: Hawaiian bowling.
Pala‘ie: Loop and ball game.
Islands
of Tonga
Learn to weave a fish with palm fronds.
Tolo: Spear throwing
Lafo: Shuffleboard with wild bean seeds.
Islands
of Marquesas
Get
an original, painted Marquesan tatoo.
=== Tours at Polynesian
Cultural Center ===
Village Canoe Tours
Enjoy
a restful canoe ride in between your other activities. The palm trees
lining each shore of the Center's lagoon stand as shady sentinels to
each of the seven Polynesian villages you'll pass on your leisurely
cruise.
Temple Visitor’s Center Tour Enjoy
the beauty & serenity of the Temple Visitor’s Center of The Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Often called the “Taj Mahal of
the Pacific,” the Hawaiian Temple was the first temple outside of the
continental United States built by the Church. It was dedicated in 1919
to serve members from throughout the Pacific and, in time, Laie became
a gathering place for many Polynesian saints.
The people of Laie and the unique cultures they represent have been
entertaining visitors since their first commercial hukilau more than 50
years ago. The unusual history of Laie is recounted in detail during
your tram ride. Students from more than 60 countries attend neighboring
Brigham Young University-Hawai‘i, adding to the cultural diversity of
the community.
Free tram rides from the Polynesian Cultural Center to the Visitor’s
Center occur every 20 minutes between 1:00 and 6:40pm. Visitors may
stroll the beautiful temple gardens and enjoy the Visitor’s Center
(access to the inside of the temple is restricted to faithful Church
members only.) The Visitor’s Center features a ten-foot marble replica
of Thorvaldsen’s famous “Christus” statue. Guided tours explain the
basic beliefs of the Church through videos and exhibits.
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