Hā: Breath of Life

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Now I don’t believe I’ve ever done an “event” post but I wanted to tell you guys all about our fabulous day trip with the Polynesian Cultural Center since I was on Oahu just this past 2 weeks 🙂 

First of all, they have a wonderful menu of visitor packages. Our family chose the Oahu Circle Island Tour+ Ambassador Package & Prime Dining though the first time I went over 10 years ago we chose the Oahu Circle Island Tour & Ali’i Luau Package which I can honestly say is the better of the two. (I’ll explain later.) Regardless we had a lot of fun and learned a lot about the history of Oahu. 

For both packages a bus will come to pick you up at your hotel. Ours came at 8 am which is pretty early for us but we made it! 

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We visited some of the most famous tourist destinations like Hanauma Bay, Nuuanu Pali Lookout, North Shore, the Dole Plantation and “From Here to Eternity” Beach and drove by many more (like Turtle Beach and Waimea Bay Beach Park). 

After a few hours we stopped at the famous Kahuku Shrimp truck but alas we thought it was included in the package and it was not! They only took cash (which we did not have for some ridiculous reason) so the best we could do was smell the delicious food our fellow bus mates had ordered. 🙁

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Once we reached the Polynesian Cultural Center around 1 pm, we ate at the snack bar and started our guided tour. First we were entertained by river dancers representing different Polynesian kingdoms. I also met Cody Mafatu, a Polynesian Cultural Center MC for the luau but also a commercial actor and world traveler. He is an amazing person, bursting with positive energy! Check out his videos on youtube, you will love them!

The Polynesian Cultural Center is actually full of really hilarious hosts and all of the shows were so fun. At one point we had a leisurely canoe ride down the center of the park and my sisters had fun with their beaded necklaces (as seen above). One of my favorite parts of the day was the IMAX movie about the gorgeous scenery of all the Hawaiian islands in association with a story about a boy growing up in the Polynesian islands. 

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Wearing: Lulus romper, Anchus necklace and bracelets, Romwe bag, Aldo flats, Emporio Armani sunnies

For dinner we had the Prime Rib dining and unfortunately I didn’t grab too many photos of the food but it really was a delicious quality buffet. My sister Jasmine is apparently a crab leg connoisseur and said it was excellent. The steak was also full of flavor and cooked to perfection. I liked that there was a full salad bar with a great selection and dessert was on its own level too with cupcakes, cheesecake and pie to boot. I also got a photo with our server Chelsea who happened to be the daughter of the Polynesian Cultural Center CFO. She was super nice and told us about how she was in school to become a sketch artist for the FBI. Cool right? 🙂

We weren’t allowed to take photos during the final show of the evening, but it sure was a sight to see. The story was called Hā: Breath of Life and about the circle of life – much like the Lion King. I guess they change the show/story every 3 years so it is worth seeing pretty regularly as I do believe it is one of the best shows on the island. It was amazing when the performers started playing with fire too. My sister Jasmine actually gasped in shock when one performer threw his burning baton across the stage into the pitch blackness and another performer caught it with ease!

Ultimately it was a really relaxing, fun and informative day and I am so thankful to my sister Irene for helping me with photos all day but by the time we got back to our hotel at 10 pm, we were totally wiped out.

I would recommend the Oahu Circle Island Tour & Ali’i Luau Package though as I believe the day is shorter but sweeter and the dinner Luau in the evening is more of the Hawaiian experience. I mean they even cook a pig in the ground! 😉

outfit

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32 Comments

  1. Angie | Pandaphilia.com
    September 3, 2013 / 10:52 pm

    this makes me relive my trip to oahu and the PCC! you took such great photos to capture the experience. bella!pandaphilia fashion

  2. Monika Basiaga
    September 3, 2013 / 11:02 pm

    Wow! Fantastic photos! It's nice to see them :)By the way, love your playsuit 🙂

  3. Seppy
    September 4, 2013 / 12:13 am

    Amazing pictures! Thank you for sharing! Love the black & white 'beaded' necklace (if I'm not mistaken, it's coconut shells right?)

  4. Gin
    September 4, 2013 / 12:21 am

    sounds like you had a blast 🙂 id like to have a similar experience when i go.. anywhere i can check out pricing?

  5. Ladies in Navy
    September 4, 2013 / 12:51 am

    i think it's so funny that people find luau's like these to feel "traditional" hawaiian. the closest thing to a luau that we actually have is just a gathering of friends that's pot-luck style, with kanikapila (music played together), and a lot of fun. there's no themed hula or fire dancing. the food might be similar but definitely incorporates more cultures. i always found the idea of tourist luaus to be so weird… but i guess events made only for, and invented for tourists, are everywhere.the pictures of the island and the from here to eternity beach are gorgeous! oahu has some amazing beaches. my favorite are the kailua and lanikai beaches though… though they have gotten crowded with time too.

  6. Adam
    September 4, 2013 / 1:25 am

    that looks like a really cool place. Never seen a dole plantation before either. There are only small farms in my area.

  7. Elaine Chan
    September 4, 2013 / 1:35 am

    Ahh, this makes me miss Hawaii big time!! I have to one day go back!!

  8. June L.
    September 4, 2013 / 3:33 am

    Looks like a such a fun trip! Can't wait to visit myself :)www.ajuneaffair.com

  9. Mei Fleming
    September 4, 2013 / 4:42 am

    Looks like you had a blast! We hit almost all the same places you did. Try Romy's shrimp next time if get to go up to North Shore!Please visit my blog for my looks while in Hawaii.www.eyelikefashion.comwww.eyelikefashion.comwww.eyelikefashion.comthanks! xoxo

  10. Lloyd Lim
    September 4, 2013 / 5:39 am

    Fun, fun, fun! Amazing photos – You look great, Jess!

  11. Janet Tiong
    September 4, 2013 / 5:41 am

    Amazing photos!!!www.janet301.com

  12. Marta
    September 4, 2013 / 6:12 am

    Great post and photos! You look fantastic!♥ MARTAhttp://www.martasfashiondiary.com/

  13. Lubka Christova
    September 4, 2013 / 6:46 am

    Wow! That looks like an amazing day trip and you surely had lots of fun! :)))Lu,xxhttp://balgar-ka.tumblr.com

  14. Nicole Aguinaldo
    September 4, 2013 / 7:12 am

    Wow looks like a great vacation! You're so stunning! 🙂 Actually, you dont look 5'4 at all, you look a lot taller in pictures! ;)www.nicole-aguinaldo.blogspot.com

  15. S.
    September 4, 2013 / 8:45 am

    Even your mom is super stylish! Lovely pics!www.whatsashawears.com

  16. Noush
    September 4, 2013 / 8:49 am

    Wow wonderful !

  17. Sherlaine Sayo
    September 4, 2013 / 9:42 am

    OMG! i love your outfit! such a cute romper. 🙂 It seems you really have fun on your trip. It was a nice place. :)xoxo,SHERLAINE.never settle for less.

  18. Silke
    September 4, 2013 / 11:57 am

    Your outfit looks amazing!Makes me wish I could go on a trip ;)x Silke (blogging at The Make-Up Family)

  19. Silke
    September 4, 2013 / 11:57 am

    Your outfit looks amazing!Makes me wish I could go on a trip ;)x Silke (blogging at The Make-Up Family)

  20. vanessa mensah
    September 4, 2013 / 3:43 pm

    your parents are gorgeous, your sister is gorgeous and your definitely gorgeous; especially in that playsuit. love these pictures!http://www.freelancedaydreamerfashion.com/

  21. Hi Tea Style
    September 7, 2013 / 8:49 am

    Great to see such beautiful pictures of our island! You have such a beautiful family!http://www.hiteastyle.com

  22. Diva In Me
    September 14, 2013 / 4:16 am

    Thank you for sharing your wonderful journey with us. I've never been to Hawaii but someday I might go there and this piece of information is definitely great! =DYou look lovely as always and even during travels. I love seeing couples like your parents who are still as loving after many years being together.

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