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Polynesian Cultural Center Invites Guests To Go ‘Hands And Feet On’ With Coconut Tree Climbing

Polynesian Cultural Center Invites Guests To Go ‘Hands And Feet On’ With Coconut Tree Climbing

Eight New “Go Native!” Activities Open This Year

Laie, HI – April 1, 2011 – The Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) ) is now offering guests the opportunity to grab two hibiscus sticks and see if they have what it takes to conquer the skill of fire making!

Learning how to create fire is one of 8 new “Go Native!” activities that will be premiering throughout the year to entice guests to do as the natives do and actively participate in traditional Polynesian aspects of daily life from the Pacific island cultures like Samoa, Tahiti, and Hawaii. Other fun and adventurous activities include spear throwing, hula instruction, poi twirling, and canoe paddling, just to name a few.

“For our guests, the Samoan Village is one of the first stops in their hands-on Islands adventure,” said Delsa Moe, Cultural Presentations Director for PCC. “Two great hands-on activities found in the Samoan Village are considered a highlight to adults and children alike; fire making and fireknife spinning. Don’t worry, Moms! Neither activity will expose your loved one to an actual ‘flame’, but it will help them feel like a warrior!

Also, popular in the Samoan Village is their coconut tree climbing demonstration. Scaling a 30-foot coconut tree can be very dangerous, so we’re leaving it to our young Samoan villagers to show you how it’s done. But we still promise you that it will be EXCITING!

In Samoa, the coconut tree is known as the “tree of life” for its many uses from root to tip. The coconut itself offers sweet coconut juice, meat, and milk, which are all essential ingredients in Samoan cooking; the shell can be used to construct household items and instruments; the husk can be made into rope. Coconut leaves provide roofing material and can be woven into a wide variety of objects, from floor mats to baskets. The tree trunk is used as a building material to make things like furniture. In addition, roots have been used for medicinal purposes throughout Samoan history. Though climbing coconut trees to harvest the nuts and leaves was originally a necessary part of daily life, in recent years it has also become a competitive sport.

For more information about the fire making and fireknife spinning activities along with all of our other great hands-on activities held in the 6 island villages of Hawaii, Aotearoa, Fiji, Samoa, Tahiti, and Tonga – or to make reservations, visit www.Polynesia.com or call the Polynesian Cultural Center Reservations Dept. at 844-572-2347 (toll-free). On Oahu, you can call 808-293-3333.

Founded in 1963 as a non-profit organization, the Polynesian Cultural Center has entertained more than 34 million visitors, while preserving and portraying the culture, arts, and crafts of Polynesia to the rest of the world. In addition, the Center has provided financial assistance to approximately 30,000 young people from more than 70 different countries attending Brigham Young University-Hawaii. As a non-profit organization, 100% of the Center’s revenue is used for daily operations and to support education.

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