Polynesian Cultural Center: Fiji

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Welcome back to National Parks & other public lands with T! If you are seeing this on Twitter or Facebook, please visit the blog to see all of the photos and read the story by clicking the link.

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The Polynesian Cultural Center is a theme park preserving the cultures of  Polynesia on Oahu, with 6 villages representing different nations in Polynesia. One of the six villages where we spent some time is Fiji.

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The centerpiece of the PCC’s Fiji village is the ‘Fijian skyscraper’ or six story temple. There is also a replica of a chief’s dwelling. These were larger and set at a higher elevation than the other homes in the village with multiple doors…visitors must choose their door according to their status (enter through the chief’s personal door and you’re in trouble!)

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We attended the cultural presentation in the central gathering place. Dancers performed and then we were all invited to keep the beat with the music by pounding bamboo sticks on the floor. (Scroll down for a video clip)

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The narrator told us a little about Fiji…it is comprised of over 300 islands and is an independent nation. It was a British colony up until the 1970s. It is also at a crossroads between Polynesia and Melanesia.

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Location: 55-370 Kamehameha Hwy, Laie, HI 96762

Designation: Cultural Theme Park

Date established/designated: 10/12/1963

Date of my visit: April 12, 2019