The Polynesian Cultural Center, at Laie on the Windward Coast, is a highlight of Oahu, important both by day and night, it is virtually in the "can't miss" league. Basically, the Center is a "working theme park," open-air, operated by the Mormon Church for the purpose of preserving and presenting the folk life and culture of seven Polynesian nations: Samoa, Old Hawaii, Tahiti, Fiji, Tonga, New Zealand, and the Marquesas. Each island nation is represented by its own village compound, through which you walk and linger, observing demonstrations in food production and cooking, crafts manufacture, song, dance and storytelling. One of those giant IMAX movie theaters presents a film called Polynesian Odyssey.
 

Then, as evening falls, a luau dinner is had by all, followed by a presentation of a spectacular Polynesian show, This is Polynesia, on a giant open-air stage surrounded by thousands of seats, the actors and singers being Polynesian college students in residence at the local Mormon university; they earn their tuition and board by appearing in these daily performances. A full-day pass for visiting the theme park by day, having dinner, and then attending the evening performance, costs about $40.00 for adults, and about out half that for children.

Favorite Island Grown Fruit
Hawaii still grows pineapple, bananas, papaya, mangoes and much more!

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The Polynesian Culture Center is within about 7 miles south of Turtle Bay Condos.

Prize Winning Orchids
Many varieties of orchids are native to the islands. A combination of these native orchids mixed with non-native orchids has produced stunning varieties of highly prized orchids, such as pictured above.