This morning we picked up the tour bus for our 1.5 hour ride to the north side of the Island to the Polynesian Cultural Center, Hawaii's most popular tourist attraction. It is situated right next to the campus of Brigham Young Hawaii. LDS Missionaries had established a school here back in the 1800s. In 1963 the Church opened the Cultural Center with two goals in mind. First, to celebrate and share the Cultures of the pacific islanders; second, to provide jobs for the students at the university. Today, there are 2600 students at BYU and kids have the opportunity study expense free if they work at the Cultural Center. The LDS church also built a temple here, the first one outside the continental US.
The place is Disney World-like. Our day featured shows by the Tongans, New Zealanders, Hawaiians and others, showing off their costumes and dancing and music skills. Two "boofays", a canoe parade, and an incredible show after dinner in the big amphitheater with the famous "fire show".
It was sunny, hot and VERY humid - made for a really sweaty day! Didn't get back to the hotel until 10:30.
 |
| Out the bus window |
 |
| Our guide for the day, "cousins" |
 |
| New Zealand |
 |
| Note the tatoo |
 |
| BYU |
 |
| LDS Temple |
No comments:
Post a Comment