Maui

It's fun to have several islands all in our mission.  We got to go to Maui to do a Luau Comparative Study.  It also was our 43rd anniversary! :)  Old Lahaina Luau is supposedly one of the best in the state.  It really was exceptional.  Good food, great show all about Hawaii from early days with Pele the fire goddess to modern...something like you might have seen in the old days.  The thing that made it stand out was the personal touches like things being brought to our table and the server seeming to really care that we were enjoying ourselves.

Beautiful Weston Marriott

         

   

Andrew's photo ap called Wigglegram
let us take this photo behind a waterfall

We took a nice hike to the Iao Valley Needle.

There is a beautiful garden place in the Iao Valley with Japanese, 

Chinese, Korean & Christian gardens.

Famous banyan tree that covers the whole park in Lahaina

Marquesas

There is a beautiful place in the PCC that is closed.  It was once a 7th village representing the island of Marquesas.  AJ & I went exploring today :)

Beautiful waterfall

Top of the waterfall

PCC Farm

Went on a little tour of part of the farm today.  It's beautiful.  This is where plants, trees and some food is grown for use in the Polynesian Cultural Center.
             

Honolulu Mystery Shopping

We enjoyed another weekend in Honolulu to mystery shop the hotels to see if they bring up the PCC.
       

As always we say something like "we know there are many great things to do on Oahu.  What would you recommend we see."  They always recommend Circle Island and Chiefs Luau because those two pay the highest commission.  One of the agents we came to this weekend actually came to PCC with her child and absolutely loved it!  Sadly she didn't mention PCC to us at all.  When I asked her about it she brought the subject back to Circle Island and told me that the spots were filling up quickly.  You really don't get an honest opinion by agents because of the pressure they are under.

I love King's Village.  So beautiful & charming on a corner in Waikiki. It had live entertainment in the square, farmers markets and even a changing of the guard!
Sadly we were one of the last people to ever be there on Thursday because Friday it closed for good.  It’s being torn down and a Hyatt time share tower is being built there.  Oh so sad.  Such nonsense.  Twas a wonderful little corner of Honolulu. Goodbye beautiful King’s Village.

 

So sad, the gates are closed for good.

Inathi's Birthday

                   Bringing a cake to Inathi Malatchi on her 1st birthday.

More Great Hawaiian Words

Le'ale'a means "Have a good time"
Malama:  To care for
Kokua: To help
A'o: To teach and to learn.  We are all learners & teachers.
Onipa'a: steadfast

Pretty peacock at Malakahana Beach Park in Laie

Studies in Leis

This week our students have been busy many things including some special studies like the max-diff survey to see how our guests perceive the souvenirs that we give to the Super Ambassador tour groups.  Another study is on which kukui nut lei is the most favorite and least favorite.  Funny thing is that the flower painted ones are both the favorite and least favorite lei so far!  Hmmm

Tsai-yi and AJ

Chris & I went for a ride in the golf cart to deliver our new menu's to Hale Ohana and Hale Aloha.  Going around the outer circle of the "islands" we discovered this beautiful seating area and the waterfall below!!!

Beautiful seating area behind the scenes!

Beautiful waterfall outside of Marquesas.
Marquesas is no long in use, sadly.

This is the pretty menu
 that's been added to the luau.
The guests seem to love it as so many menus
disappear each day!

Luau Menu Polynesian Cultural Center Laie