Can you dance a jig?

We had plans to go snorkeling this morning. We also bought tickets for the Polynesian Culture Center. We so wanted to do both, but had to think more seriously about our children, especially Charlton. If we went snorkeling, we would have to wake up early, and then come back really fast to catch the shuttle that would take us to the Center. The activities there would take all day, and we would be coming back around 11 at night. It would have been more relaxing to just do snorkeling alone, but Elijah and I really wanted to show our children the diversity of the Hawaiian culture, the Buy-Hawaii, and the Temple, all located in the North Shore, about an hour and half from Waikiki. So, we opted out of snorkeling, and got ready for some dancing and singing.

The way to the North Shore was stunning. This highway we were in was a two-lane highway, and a few feet from the shore. As we traveled along this way, I told Elijah that this was the Hawaii I had imagined, the luscious mountains, the fruit trees on the side of the road, the Palm trees by the shore, flowers and birds greeting us, and not the high rising hotels or the expensive shopping centers. I was truly enjoying the ride.

The 42-acres Polynesian Culture Center is located in Laie, about an hour to an hour and half from Waikiki. It was founded by our church to help support BYU-Hawaii students with their tuition and fees, as well as support the Hawaiian culture by sharing it with the rest of the world.
We started our experience by taking a canoe tour of the Center. Beautiful trees and flowers, gorgeous waterfalls and bridges, tropical birds and good-looking dancers were everywhere.

The Center was beautifully built and organized. Its signature attraction was a group of eight villages and exhibitions where people from specific islands shared their culture with the rest of us. We started with the Fiji 'village' where we learned about their oral history through songs and dances.

We continued with New Zealand, Samoa, and Tahiti. Then, we sat and watched the Canoe Pageant, where each group danced and sang as their canoes kept flowing in the river. We were all mesmerized, and despite of the heat, we kept watching and enjoying it.

After the pageant was over, we took a shuttle toward the Temple. The Sister Missionaries gave us a tour of the Laie area, BYU-Hawaii campus, the Temple grounds, and then entered the Visitor Center, which was decked up with Christmas decorations. As we entered the area of this community of saints, one could feel the peace enveloping your heart and soul. It was truly a comforting feeling of serenity and simplicity.

While Elijah went to see if the temple was open, the children and I explored the beautiful visitor center. Upon Elijah's return, we strolled on temple grounds. Even the children could feel the peaceful spirit in this special place.

Near the entrance of the temple, Elijah showed me a beautiful relief of a mother pouring "the water of life" on her children, titled simply "motherhood." At that moment, I felt the spirit so strongly testifying to me that what I'm doing with my children, taking care of them, educating them, loving them, is truly a sacred responsibility and a blessing. I'm so thankful for my children and for this opportunity of giving them 'the water of life."

We left the temple grounds, and headed back to the Polynesian Culture Center. We had some dinner, bought some souvenirs, and then got ready to see the highlight of the Center, its show called "Ha: Breath of Life," an evening of customs and traditions expressed in song and dance by representatives of all the participating islands performed on stage. We all enjoyed the songs, dances, colorful costumes, and of course the fire throwers.

Here are two video clips giving you a little taste of the uniqueness of the Hawaiian culture: