Going into the day, I knew it was going to be a day full of lots of fun! We started off the day on the bus to the PCC. It was 57 miles away from our hotel, so it led to lots of sightseeing of the island. Our group was given leis which was a great welcome to the park and all the cultural presentations.
Once we made it to the center, it was time for lunch. There were plenty of options from food trucks! I decided to get shrimp tacos with rice…which was gone within minutes (just that good!). We also looked around the Hukilau Marketplace, where we bought some bracelets.
We took a 30-minute tram ride through the town of Laie right outside the PCC and were able to view BYU and the Temple of the Church of the Latter-day Saints. I’ve really enjoyed seeing different neighborhoods around the island, and Laie had beautiful architecture.
After, we enter the “Islands” — where the five cultures (Samoa, Tonga, Aotearoa, Fiji, Hawaii, Tahiti) were presenting cultural traditions & practices. Before attending these, we all went on a canoe ride touring all islands. Our canoe driver Evan, as well as many other workers at the center are students at BYU – Hawaii. The proceeds from the PCC fund scholarships for students at BYU! Tahiti was the first island we visited, where we watched a traditional Tahitian wedding. It was beautiful to watch, especially because couples in the audience were able to renew their vows. We also watched the Tongan presentation showcasing Tongan drumming, sitting dance, and “other sounds of respect.”
Dinner and the luau began at 5:00 pm and we were welcomed with pineapple smoothies! From there, many more delicious foods were at the buffet waiting for us. Salads, poke, various types of meat, fruit, and my favorite — the taro rolls. The main attraction was the roasted pig, which was brought around all the tables for everyone’s viewing. While we ate, we viewed the beautiful luau and the tribute to Queen Lili’uokalani and her compositions.
Our last stop was the Ha: Breathe of Life performance in Pacific Theater. The show was fantastic. It details a story of birth, death, family and love across the five islands. With traditional dances, a jaw-dropping performance with fire, and a story heart-warming to all, this show was the highlight of the day to me. The smiles on the performers’ faces as they perform were infectious.
At the end of the long day, we boarded the bus back to the hotel knowing we gained an experience of a lifetime…