The Island of O ahu

•Polynesian Cultural Center A Popular Hawaiian Tourist Destination
If you are planning a visit to O'ahu, Hawaii, and are in love with island culture, including all things Tiki, don't miss the opportunity to visit the Polynesian Cultural Center. This museum located on 42 acres of land opened in 1963 and is dedicated to displaying the local history and traditional culture from Hawaii as well as other islands in the Pacific Ocean. PCC is owned by Bringham Young University-Hawaii, and many of the performers you'll see during your visit are student there. The...

•The Island of Bora Bora
Looking for an island getaway that's a little off the beaten path? Consider Bora Bora, an island in the South Pacific located in French Polynesian. Though this island offers some of the best beaches in the world, it's not as well-traveled as some of the other islands in this area, making it an ideal escape for those hoping to avoid the crowds. The island of Bora Bora is surrounded by a reef, In the center of the island is a long-dormant volcano, rising into Mount Pahia and Mount Otemanu. The...

•Polynesian Vacations
If you want to visit a tropical paradise but are looking for a unique island destination, consider a Polynesian vacation. Locations like Tahiti have long been overlooked for Hawaii or other more popular destinations, but they are now being discovered for the gems they are. Bora Bora and Moorea are popular Polynesian islands, just a short distance from the main island of Tahiti. Polynesian vacations offer a beautiful island paradise with sandy beaches shaded by palm trees, crystal clear blue...

•Visiting Molokai
Molokai is the fifth largest Hawaiian island, and one of the best-kept secrets when it comes to Hawaiian vacation destinations. Molokai is located east of Oahu and north of Lanai. Honolulu, Lanai, and Maui are visible from various parts of the island. The island measures approximately 38 miles by 10 miles. Molokai is home to two small ports, as well as the tiny Molokai Airport on West Molokai, which offers flights only to other Hawaiian islands. There are about 6,000 to 8,000 people living on...

•Moai The Easter Island Tiki
When most people imagine Easter Island, they immediately think of the Moai. Moai are immense human figures carved from rock between the years of 1250 and 1500 on Easter Island, a Polynesian island several hundred miles off the coast of Chile. Many myths and legends are attached to ancient Polynesian cultures, including the Easter Island Moai culture as well as the tiki gods found elsewhere in Polynesia. Many apply the term 'Tiki' to any carved human figures originating in Polynesia. In fact,...

•Marquesas Islands History and Culture
The Marquesas Islands are a group of islands in the southern Pacific Ocean located in French Polynesia. The Marquesas is believed to have been settled by Polynesians more than two thousand years ago, likely from the islands of Tonga and Samoa. The first European contact came in 1595, when a Spanish explorer gave the islands their current name. France took possession of the group in 1842. Since the middle of the nineteenth century, the Marquesas have been hard-hit by Western diseases,...

•Ni ihau The Forbidden Isle
Ni’ihau is the smallest of the eight inhabited Hawaiian Islands. It measures approximately 69.5 square miles, and is located southwest of Kauai. The small island of Lehua is just 0.7 miles north of Niihau. There is no electricity on Ni’ihau, and no roads, hotels, or restaurants. Today Ni’ihau is a private island. By 1785, King Kamehameha had unified all of the Hawaiian Islands except for Kauai and Ni’ihau. He tried to conquer the island twice; both attempts failed. Finally, in 1810 he returned...

•Visiting Lanai
Lanai is one of the lesser-known Hawaiian islands and a unique tourist getaway. The sixth-largest of the islands, it measures 18 miles across, with just over 140 square miles. Lanai is situated between Molokai to the north and Maui to the east. Historically as well as in the present day, Lanai has been grouped with Maui for governing purposes; today it is located in Maui County. It is the smallest of Hawaii’s populated islands, and can be reached by boat by either Molokai or Maui. There is also...

•Tiki History
Many people are familiar with tiki culture because of its widespread popularity as a decorating style. It is also the dominant style in many tropical tourist destinations. However, you may not realize that tiki culture actually has its roots in several different locations. Tiki culture as it is represented in America combines elements that are distinctly Hawaiian, Polynesian, Maori, and from Easter Island. The Polynesian idea of the tiki is said to have originated in the Marquesas Islands....

•A Guide to Tiki Torches
Tiki torches were once traditional lighting on many islands. Today, they are ubiquitous outdoor decorations. The dancing flames will instantly transform your space into an island paradise. For warm summer evenings, adding tiki torches to your yard, garden, or patio will bring a relaxing atmosphere. Outdoor tiki torches can be quite inexpensive, though some have elaborate styles that will easily evoke an island feeling right in your backyard. The traditional style is made of bamboo that has...