50th Anniversary Celebration

 The 50th Anniversary of the Polynesian Cultural Center 

Week Long Celebration

September 1-8, 2013

They used to have a marching band that marched through the villages each afternoon doing a number at each village. This is a reunion of members of the marching band.  They marched each day of the 50th celebration at about 4:45 p.m. through the villages playing songs.  They were still really good.

On Thursday night the marching band did a free concert by the front doors for all assembled.

These little girls did several Hula Dance numbers.  I was amazed at how well they danced together.

The talent show was on Wednesday night.  This was the Calendar Girl number.  All these costumes were made in Theater while I was there.  I worked on some of them.

This was the final number of the talent show.  The "Men in Black" did a great song and dance with President Grace (President of the PCC) front and center.  He is the man who has the little lady in the green dress about to give him a hug.

Friday morning I went to a Hukilau.  I found out that a Hukilau is a way of catching fish with huge nets.  And yes! we did sing the song, "We're Going to a Hukilau."  This beach is about 2 blocks from my apartment.

Here is the row boat with the huge net all folded so that it can be dropped as the boat is rowed in a big half circle.

Launching the boat.

Dropping the net, divers make sure that the bottom of the long net sinks to the bottom of the water.

The boat is rowed clear over to the far shore where the line of people are waiting to take hold of the net and start pulling it in.

The people in the water are pulling the net in and walking over to meet the people holding the other side of the net where the boat started rowing.

Sister Rigby and I waiting for the net to be gathered in.

Pulling the net in, there were only about 15 small fish caught.  Sometimes there have been hundreds of fish.

This man is holding a fish in his mouth and posing for the cameras.

Here I am with Tessie and Cheryl (behind Tessie), two sisters in my apartment.

The "Golden" Night Show on Friday Evening

The following are pictures from the "Golden" Show.  These are performers from back as far as 1963-1987.  They looked like they were really enjoying doing this again.  I was impressed with how well they did.  It was a really good show.

The woman in the pink dress is Cathy.  I work for her in the Theater Department every afternoon.  She was really good at the Tahitian fast hula dance.

They received a standing ovation at the end of the show.

Elder Russell M. Nelson was there and complemented the performers.  The other man standing is President Grace, the president of the PCC and the Stake President of the Married Student Stake where I am assigned to serve.