Submitted by Ryan Cromer on the 2020 winter session study abroad program in Hawaii sponsored by College of Education and Human Development…
The Polynesian Culture Center was the highlight of the program. We learned about all of the islands that make up the Polynesian Triangle. One take away that stood out to me was about the early Polynesian voyagers. They were extremely brilliant. They always knew the earth was not flat, and they sailed the Pacific Ocean on canoes, using the stars to guide them. Although the islands were separated by water, they were always connected with one another. The ancient Polynesians viewed the ocean as a highway that connects all life. They shared common beliefs, language and culture. They were family, no matter how far away they may be from one another. The Polynesian Culture Center demonstrated this principle. While each island was presented individually, they all still worked together and fluently connected with one another.