Go Native’ at PCC

Kids — and adults — can learn some ukulele chords at the Hawaii Mission Settlement

Over the past several months each of the island villages at the Polynesian Cultural Center has been encouraging guests to “go native.”

“We want our guests to get involved in a series of new, hands-on activities,” explains Pulefano Galea’i, PCC artistic director in the islands. “For example, in Samoa some of the guests will put on a lavalava and help prepare the food to be cooked in the umu [ground oven]. After the food is cooked, another group will help uncover the umu and taste the food.”

Galea’i says some of the other new activities in Samoa include learning how to twirl the nifo ‘oti — similar to the ones the fireknife dancers use. “We’re also doing some coconut husking and firemaking competitions.”

“In New Zealand, we’ve expanded our weaponry practices by adding more games that anciently were used to help warriors learn dexterity and battle skills. In Tonga we have well-supervised tolo [spear] throwing competitions for the kids, and we get some of the guests involved in ancient fashions.”

“Come check it out. Each island has something to try,” Galea’i says. “When you’re here, we want you to think you’re at home and part of our family.”