While you’re visiting Hawaii, you are bound to hear about the Polynesian Islands and their importance to modern day Hawaii. The earliest arrivals to Hawaii came from the Polynesian Islands, and since day 1, the customs, rituals, and traditions of Polynesia have been front and center. Even today, the influence of Polynesia is vital to the islands, and honoring the heritage of the earliest voyagers is something that takes place day in and day out.
The Polynesian Islands are made up of thousands of tiny islands, spread over thousands of miles. However, there are 6 main islands and countries that make up what is known as the Polynesian Triangle. Hawaii takes its culture and traditions from each of these islands, creating the cultural melting pot that is the Hawaii that we all love and know it as today. Tonga, Tahiti, Samoa, New Zealand, Fiji, and Hawaii comprise the triangle, and with so much to discover about these islands, a visit to the Polynesian Cultural Center in order, the place where all of the islands come together in one location.
The first settlers to arrive to Hawaii were ocean voyagers, traveling by outrigger canoe and using only the stars to navigate. These expert navigators used ancient techniques to measure distance and time, arriving to the uninhabited Hawaii Islands after a long voyage across the Pacific. In todays GPS world, it is almost unimaginable to navigate using only the stars and ancient techniques, though there are voyaging groups that practice the ancient methods in Hawaii today, traveling the world on canoes built to replicate the voyaging canoes of the past.
While visiting the Polynesian Cultural Center, you will have the opportunity to see each island village and learn ancient traditions, customs, and games while learning the history of each island. Visitors take part in fun games, demonstrations, and activities, discovering methods that ancient Hawaiians used to survive. Following the daytime activities at the island villages, you will have the chance to join the authentic luau during the evening, complete with an evening show and a luau feast that is incredible.
The customs and traditions of Polynesia are rooted deep in the Hawaiian Islands, and keeping the heritage of the earliest settlers of the island is very important. Traditions like Hula, poi making, imu cooking, and sailing by the stars all come from ancient Hawaii and are still practiced today. The islands of Polynesia will always be a vital to Hawaii and taking time to understand and respect these traditions is highly recommended for your trip.
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