Corrections to the PCC Maori Waka Taua story:

Please note: An earlier version of this story contained several incorrect facts and/or repeated several questionable “myths.” We replaced it with a more accurate history of the PCC’s Maori waka taua story, by CLICKING HERE.

In the early days of the PCC, Maori villagers actually launched the waka on the Center’s freshwater lagoon; but it was long ago put on display under its own canoe hut. It has been refurbished several times over the decades since, and it is currently underdoing another major renovation. CLICK HERE to go to this blog.

Grand opening for Hukilau Marketplace’s New Ukulele Experience:

Polynesian Cultural Center officers and guests enjoyed the grand opening of our new Ukulele Experience shop — dedicated to the significance of Hawaii’s official state instrument — on April 29.

The event included guided and interactive digital tours of the historical and manufacturing display, drawings for four free ukulele, and a free community concert featuring local artists Corey Fujimoto, Honoka & Azita and Kalei Gamiao. The shop also staged an ukulele-themed selfie-scavenger hunt on April 25, with a grand prize of a $500 Kala-brand ukulele.

Ukulele Experience features a wide range in quality and price of the popular instruments, which guests are welcome to try. Shop staff and volunteers are also available to teach simple strumming and chords.

For more information on PCC Hukilau Marketplace events, CLICK HERE

PCC’s 2016 World Fireknife Championships and Samoan Festival schedule:

• Thursday, May 12; 7:45 p.m., Hale Aloha: Senior preliminaries, with six semi-finalists announced at the end

• Friday, May 13; 7:45 p.m., Hale Aloha: Junior and Intermediate division championships (with winners announced at the end); and the six semi-finalists compete (with the three finalists announced at the end).

• Saturday, May 14; 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Pacific Theater: “We Are Samoa” Hawaii high school cultural arts, song and dance festival.

• Saturday, May 14; 7:30 p.m., Pacific Theater: The three finalists will be introduced at the opening of the Hā: Breath of Life evening show. They will compete during a special intermission, and the champion will be announced in a special ceremony at the end of the show.

Sponsors for the Polynesian Cultural Center’s 24th annual Samoan World Fireknife Championships include: Shirley & the late Tauiliili Henry S. Mataalii; Kalo Mataele Soukop; Galumalemana Lester W.B. Moore; Jamin Sales; the late Solomona & Na’otala Tafua; Les & Nanette Steward; the late Lilomaiava & Aiaiaga Galea’i; Pepsi; Hawaiian Airlines; Edward Enterprises, Inc.; and the Marriott Courtyard North Shore Oahu hotel.

Tickets are required for each of the events, with special offers available to Kamaaina Annual Pass members. Call 800-367-7060 toll free from Canada and the US mainland, 808-293-3333, or go to www.polynesia.com for more information.

Story by Mike Foley

  Mike Foley, who has worked off-and-on

at the Polynesian Cultural Center since

1968,  has been a full-time freelance

writer and digital media specialist since

2002, and had a long career in marketing

communications and PR before that. He

learned to speak fluent Samoan as a

Mormon missionary before moving to Laie

in 1967 — still does, and he has traveled

extensively over the years throughout

Polynesia and other Pacific islands. Foley

is mostly retired now, but continues to

contribute to various PCC and other media.