Join Our Spear Throwing Contest

“Go Native!” Activities Entice Visitors to Learn Cultural Skills

Laie, Hawaii – March 22, 2012 – The Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) is now offering guests the opportunity to channel their inner warrior and try their hand at the new “Go Native!” spear throwing activity in the Tahitian village.

In this game, guests learn how to throw a traditional wooden spear using an underhand technique. The objective of the game is to hit a coconut set atop a tall pole placed 20 feet away. Competitors throw their spears simultaneously and the winner is determined by who hits the coconut.

“Our newest ‘Go Native!’ spear throwing activity is definitely a game that can be enjoyed by the entire family, particularly since it’s not so much about strength as it is about technique,” said Raymond Magalei, director of Marketing at the PCC. “With all of our offerings, from day to night, our hope is that guests can come to PCC and not only have fun, but take home experiences they’ve enjoyed and learned from our culture to share with their friends and family.”

Traditionally, patia fa, or javelin throwing, was a competition held between islands in the Tuamotu archipelago. Teams representing the different islands would compete to determine who had the best spear throwers.

Spear throwing is available throughout the day from 11:45 a.m. to 12:20 p.m., 1:00 p.m. to 1:20 p.m., 3:00 p.m. to 3:20 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 4:20 p.m.

In addition to the cooking demos, umu making, coconut tree climbing, outrigger canoe paddling and now spear throwing, upcoming “Go Native!” activities include, Hawaiian quilt making and Te Here (forever), a Tahitian wedding celebration.

For more information on prices or to make reservations, call the PCC ticket office at 1-844-572-2347 or visit Polynesia.com. On Oahu, call 293-3333.

Founded in 1963 as a non-profit organization, the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) has entertained more than 36 million visitors, while preserving and portraying the culture, arts and crafts of Polynesia to the rest of the world. In addition, the PCC has provided financial assistance to nearly 17,000 young people from more than 70 different countries while they attend Brigham Young University-Hawaii. As a non-profit organization, 100 percent of PCC’s revenue is used for daily operations and to support education.