Paradise Found
On the North Shore of Oahu
By Ringo Boitano

Nation of Tonga dancers perform the Ma'ulu'ulu at the Polynesian Cultural Center.

The drums were pounding and so was my heart. Five Maori warriors moved in unison to the pulsating beat of the Haka war dance as their vessel glided down the tropical river. The tattooed men were powerful; not tall, but compactly built and intimidating. If I were a NFL quarterback I would want them on my offensive line. As the war dance subsided, the audience on the shore applauded in awe.

Next down the river was the display from Hawai'i. Grass-skirted women moved in harmony to the gentle rhythms of the Hula Kahiko - the ancient Hawaiian dance that predates the arrival of the Europeans, who introduced lyrics and string instrumentation.

Tahitian dancers perform at the Polynesian Cultural Center.

I stood in wonder, as the Rainbows of Paradise canoe pageant continued at the Polynesian Cultural Center on the North Shore of Oahu. I had often dreamed of visiting all the island cultures of Polynesia. And now, with the warm Hawaiian sun on my back and palm trees swaying in the wind, my senses told me that I was experiencing my own paradise found.

A member of the Maori tribe greets visitors at the New Zealand village.

BACK STORY
Polynesia (many islands) covers a triangular-shaped geographical area of the Pacific Ocean, known throughout the world as the Polynesian Triangle. The triangle consists of New Zealand at the southwest, Easter Island at the southeast, and Hawai'i at the northern apex, with the Marquesas, Samoa, Tahiti and Tonga in the middle. Fiji, though technically part of Melanesia, is included due to a strong Polynesian influence. All of the island cultures share similar traditions, language, arts and religion.

There is no definitive answer to the origin of these fascinating people, though everyone seems to offer an opinion. Many believe the Polynesian cultures descended from a single proto-culture established in the South Pacific by migrant Malayo-Polynesian people, while others point to the Easter Islands. Everyone seems to agree that these ingenious explorers were ultra-sophisticated sailors, with a highly complex navigational system based on the observation of the stars, ocean swells and flight patterns of birds.Their primary vessel was a 50 to 60 feet long canoe, consisting of two hulls, connected by lashed crossbeams. A precursor to the modern catamaran, the sails were made of matting drove. Long steering paddles enabled the mariners to keep it sailing on course. The canoes could accommodate roughly two dozen people, food supplies, livestock, and planting materials, essential for the long expeditions and the eventual founding of new island colonies. Like athletes they would go into vigorous training prior to voyages, even conditioning their bodies to deal with less food and water.

THE POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER
In the mid-1800s, the village of Laie on the North Shore of Oahu became a place of refuge for villagers who had broken the laws of the king of Hawai'i. The lifeblood of the community was the Hukilau, a form of net fishing invented by the ancient Hawaiians. This evolved into a festival, open to all who wished to participate. In 1865, the LDS Church purchased the land, making it a "gathering place" for all the people of Polynesia. Soon other people of Polynesian cultures poured into the area, bringing their own unique island traditions. A church and relief society was created, where inhabitants grew food and made handicrafts. In 1963 the LDS Church and University established the Polynesian Cultural Center to keep alive the rich history and traditions of the indigenous island cultures of Polynesia. The center also helped defray educational expenses and provide practical work experience for their students at the university next door. Today approximately 700 BYU-Hawaii students work at the PCC, all of them anxious to share their history with you. Located a one-hour drive from Waikiki, the center offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn about the lifestyles, habitats, entertainment and hospitality of seven Polynesian villages -- all in one location. The purchase of tickets, food, shows and souvenirs helps fund the educational/work objectives. I visited all seven villages and saw islanders re-enact wedding ceremonies, wield fire knives, conduct cooking demonstrations, carve tiki figures and even climb 40-foot coconut trees. Visitors are invited to participate with drum playing, dancing, chanting, canoe treks and creating fire by rubbing two sticks together. It became painfully obvious to me that I would never make it as a cast member on Survivor. Special events include an IMAX theater, the world's largest Polynesian night show and an authentic Hawaiian Luau, complete with Kalua Pig (cooked whole in an 'imu' underground oven), Mahi Mahi, Lomi Lomi Salmon (cold diced salmon, tomatoes and onion), sweet potatoes, Poke (generally fresh cubes of ahi/tuna), Taro Dinner Rolls, Hapuia (a coconut flavored desert) and, of course, Poi (a thick, purple-colored paste made by pounding taro, used to absorb the saltiness in some dishes). I had been informed that the Polynesian Cultural Center is the number-one paid attraction in Hawai'i. Now I know why. "Bula"-- the Fijian word for 'life,' and a way of wishing good health and fortune to you all!
Polynesia.com

HOW TO GET THERE
Hawaiian Airlines offers direct flights from LAX and San Diego. In the Aloha Spirit, the airline is a welcoming throwback to the days of ample snacks, highquality, warm meals and attentive staff, all-included in the price of a coach seat. HawaiianAir.com

WHERE TO STAY
For many, the iconic Turtle Bay Hotel is the North Shore of Oahu. Nestled on 880 ocean-front acres, the full-service luxury property offers spacious rooms with views and balconies, beaches on both sides of the property, a surfing reef, two golf courses, walking trails and on-site restaurants including the cutting edge (and right on the beach) Hawaiian fusion wonder, Ola. TurtleBayResort.com