Day 5 - Byodo-In Temple and the Polynesian Cultural Center and a stop at a Macadamia Nut store

Clicking on any picture will enlarge it for a better view

What a fun and different day.  Our first stop was at this temple, the Byodo-In Temple which recognizes the immigration of the Japanese to the island.   It's a cemetery as well.  Quiet, serene setting and such a beautiful temple and grounds.

I thought this sign, as we entered was really funny.  I guess it's my sense of humor.

Wayne, ringing the great bell

The great Amida Buddha

On to our next stop, a retail store selling macadamia nuts, coffee, jewelry, pearls.  I bought a few things.  The man selling coconuts, all cut up into pieces was good enough to tell me that it would only last about 4 days.  There was no way I would eat all that coconut in 4 days so I didn't buy.   He also explained that if it took it home, even a husked coconut, it would only last about a week,   I would have to buy an unhusked coconut.   After seeing how you needed to open it, there was no way i would have been able to use it.

From there, we drove to the Polynesian Cultural Center.  I expected it to be similar to a Hawaiian Disneyland.  In some ways, it was but they emphasized the tribes of the islands.   These included Figi Tongo, Somoa, New Zealand (The Maori tribe), and Hawaii.   There were activities and shows at each one of the 'villages".  We got tattoos.  

We also made windmills from banana leaves, learned how to play the sticks which Wayne and I had to toss at each other.   We laughed a lot.  We also learned how to throw a spear.

The cultural center is owned by the Mormon Church. All of the guides, and employees go to school, literally next door at Brigham Young University and work there daily. They are all on "scholarship".

Max, our guide for the entire day.

This village was for the Maori from New Zealand

Fire being made from rubbing two sticks together

This man climbed the coconut tree in under 5 second and then slid down, the entire way to end the domonstraiton.

The taro plant, from which Poi is made.

On to the luau and it was a real feast.   The pork was excellent and so was the fish.  We each received a Lei upon entering and also a beautiful drink, non-alcoholic made with coconut milk and pineapple juice.   Delicious.  Our waiter was very attentive.   The nice thing is that we were seated at a table for two and the show, was directly in front of us.   They even had cell phone charging stations so you could quickly charge your cell phone while having dinner.  Each one was locked, with a combination, in a safe equipped with a charger.   Excellent idea.

The Leis, Wayne and I were given upon entrance to the Luau

Two pigs for dinner!

Queen, a direct decendant of the Hawaiian royal family

There was an amazing show, Ha' The Breath of Life after the luau and show.   It was really well done.   It took a family, from birth of their child to manhood and he and his wife having a child.   Each segment of his life highlighted a different tribe or island - Figi, Tongo, Hawaii, Samoa, New Zealand.  The conclusion of the show was fire dancing and fire baton twirling.   Absolutely amazing, what the cast did and how it was performed.   No pictures were allowed unfortunately.   But I have the memories.

Aloha from the Polynesian Cultural Center.