Submitted by Claire Danberg on the 2017 winter session program in Hawaii sponsored by the Department of Biological Sciences…
When my professor told us we had to wake up early to go to the Polynesian Culture Center, most of my classmates rolled their eyes. We were about to spend nine hours in a museum. What we did not realize was that the center was not a museum at all, but rather Polynesia meets Epcot. The vast complex was filled with shows and performances from various islands including New Zealand, Fiji, Tahiti, Samoa, Tonga and Hawaii. Unlike in Disney World where actors are paid to dress up like characters, each performer was from the island that they talked about. We got to experience authentic cultural traditions such as fire dancing, hula performances, drumming, songs with conch shells and nose flutes, climbing coconut trees, making bread and tribal chants. Even though we could not understand the songs, the chanting and rhythms were breathtakingly beautiful.
The same day, we also got to experience an authentic Hawaiian luau. When we entered the luau, we were given ceremonial leis made with real flowers. The cuisine was delicious, but unusual including coal fired pig, raw fish, poi, fresh fruit and pineapple bread. Even small Hawaiian children at the luau were capable of performing advanced hula dances. It was mind boggling to see men juggle with fire as if it was nothing. After the luau, we got to see a Broadway style show called Ha: Breath of Life which explained the origins of the islands according to Polynesian tradition. The show was even more entertaining than expected with incredible fire and water special effects and props. What we thought would be a boring museum actually ended up being one of the best days on the program so far. Before I entered the Polynesian Culture Center, I had never even heard of Tonga or Samoa. Likewise, I had previously thought of Hawaii as identical to Delaware only with much more beautiful beaches. I had not appreciated the island for its unique and wonderful traditions. I am in awe of how many precious cultures I have been opened up to as a result of coming on this program.
