“You can’t tell who’ll be able to climb a tree just by looking at them,” Teo-Tafiti said. Big muscular men have clambered a foot and slid right back down. Some women have made it 5 or 10 feet up the tree. Strapped in a safety harness and under the watchful eye of their hosts, guests inch their way up the tree trunk - realizing it takes more strength, dexterity and balance than they initially thought. This is one of four new Go Native! activities that PCC has introduced as part of a five-year, $38 million enhancement project. Teo-Tafiti demonstrates coconut tree climbing, fire making and other activities at the Polynesian Cultural Center, which invites guests to experience the cultures of seven Pacific islands - Hawaii, Samoa, Fiji, Tahiti, Tonga, New Zealand-Maori and the Marquesas.ĭaring visitors who weigh less than 275 pounds and who are at least 44 inches tall can kick off their shoes and attempt to climb a coconut tree in the Samoan village. “We call it ‘spoon meat’ because it’s soft like jelly, and you can scoop it out of the shell with a spoon.” “You want the younger coconuts that are still on the tree because their meat is softer,” he said. Alcohol is not served and smoking is not allowed on the premises.Īccording to Teo-Tafiti, picking coconuts that have fallen to the ground is not desirable. The Polynesian Cultural Center is operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) to preserve and perpetuate Polynesian culture and to provide job opportunities for students attending the adjoining Brigham Young University-Hawaii campus. Call at least one day in advance to ensure a guide will be available. Languages include Japanese, Chinese, Korean and Spanish. Foreign language tours can be arranged at no additional charge for anyone who buys one of three Ambassador packages. > Email: Website: > Notes: All-day parking is $8. > Phone: 293-3333 on Oahu 80 from the neighbor islands In November, the renovated 24,400-square-foot Gateway Restaurant will open with an upgraded buffet menu.

31, the Go Native! deal provides them with admission to the villages for $15. Kamaaina receive a 20 percent discount on all prices, and through Dec. > Admission: Rates begin at $49.95, $39.95 for children 5 through 15. Dinner is served from 5 to 7 p.m., and the evening show, “Ha: Breath of Life” runs from 7:30 to 9 p.m. The Rainbows of Paradise canoe pageant is at 2:30 p.m. The villages are open from noon to 6 p.m. > Hours: Daily except Sunday, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. > Address: 55-370 Kamehameha Highway, Laie It was kind of a rite of passage.” IF YOU GO… When my mom wanted niu mamata, or young coconuts, I had to be man enough to climb the tree to get it for her. “Being able to climb trees and get coconuts was a way to prove you were a man. “I was about 6 years old when I first started climbing coconut trees,” said Teo-Tafiti, who is originally from Samoa. Kapeneta “Kap” Suli Teo-Tafiti can scoot up a 40-foot coconut tree in less than 20 seconds - pretty amazing for a 44-year-old guy who has the build of an NFL linebacker.

Kap teo tafiti