Horizons: Where the Sea Meets the Sky
From day one 40 years ago when the Polynesian Cultural Center opened, the evening show has been and remains the crowning moment of the PCC experience. A cast of over 100 young Polynesians will enchant you with their enthusiasm, grace, endurance and beauty. Horizons is a 90-minute, world-famous, award-winning show that you must not miss, and having seen it, will never forget.
Horizons is normally performed each evening (closed on Sundays) at 7:30 p.m. in the 2,800-seat Pacific Theater. Occasionally during peak seasons (June-August, and the Holiday Season), the PCC cast puts on two performances: one at 6:00 p.m., and the other at 8:00 p.m.
Komo Mai, "come in" and "set your course to Makali'i, the southern star, and sail through the horizon to islands of paradise," the emcee bids as the lights in the spacious amphitheater dim and the water curtain rises. The music slowly builds above the sound of a waterfall plunging off the volcanic backdrop as the excitement grows:
Hawaii: As befits our beautiful host islands of Hawaii Nei, the Hawaiians share their aloha first:
Ke Alaula: A contemporary hula by the women compares the dawning of the light and peace that comes with the break of day.
Aia La o Pele: "There is Pele," fire goddess of ancient Hawaii. We recall a time when man walked and talked with the ancestral gods in the kahiko or ancient style of hula done to haunting sounds of drums and chants.
Kai o Mamala: With the kala'au (dancing sticks) the men remember the love found by Kamoha'i at Mamala, the shoreline between Honolulu Harbor and Pearl Harbor.
Pihanakalani: The sound of the nose flute beckons Hali'alaulani, the maiden, to the top of Pihanakalani, a mountain on the island of Kauai.
I Ali'i no 'Oe: Dancing with the puili (split bamboo rattles), men and women tell of how men enjoy being treated like kings.
E Ku'u Sweetie and Pili Mau Me 'Oe: Men dance, remembering their sweethearts, hoping they will be together forever.
Ka 'Ano'i: Dancing with the uliuli (feathered gourds) and ipu (hollowed gourds), men and women dance honoring beautiful maidens on Kauai.
Ke Alaula (Reprise): The strength of our cultural and spiritual past leads us to the dawning of a bright new day.
| Tonga: "My heart dances with joy to the rhythm of the pounding nafa (drums)," the emcee says. As the dancers perform their well synchronized and energetic ma'ulu'ulu and lakalaka movements, listen for shouts of Malie! meaning "well done," and Lue! or "move it" even more as they perform: |  |
Ngaahi Ongo 'o e Nafa: Calling to the community, drummers reveal their unity and skill.
'Eva ki he Kolo Salusalu: The community gathers to show respect for the esteemed guests, and invites them to join them in this place.
Malu'i 'a e 'Atakai: The young men divide into opposing groups to demonstrate their skill with the kailao, or jabbing spear, in preparation to defend their people.
Tavake Taumafua: The young women honor and give tribute to royalty with their graceful movements and beautiful costumes.
Taumu'a Kuo Siumafua: Unified in their culture and customs, the community sings and dances the lakalaka in celebration of a future destiny that lies just over the horizon.
Aotearoa: Maori flutes accompany the karanga — the women's cries of haere mai, haere mai — "Welcome" to the land of the long white cloud, where mountains touch the sky each new day in the islands you know as….New Zealand:
Taiaha: The challenging movements of the taiaha (fighting lance) are an invitation to the visitor to enter the marae, our ceremonial gathering place.
Karanga: The plaintive voice of women call haere mai..."welcome" to this enchanted place.
Whaka Eke: Performers seek permission to enter the dancing platform on the marae.
Haka ko te Puru: The men and women transition from ancient to modern styles of dance and music.
Ko Tereo: Through the waiata-a-ringa, or action song and dance, the men and women combine to invite us to enjoy the traditions of their unique world.
E Tui: Young women are likened to the grace and the voice of the tui, a beautiful indigenous bird, in this poi ball dance.
Terina: Spinning in colorful rhythmic motions, the poi balls are illuminated to form Maori patterns as if painted by the famous glow worms of their islands.
Titi Torea: The stick dance teaches flexibility, rapid reflexes, and quick coordination to prepare us for life's constant surprises.
Intermission: Pineapple Deelites — a half-pineapple with ice cream and island fruits — are sold during the brief intermission. They're delicious.
Fiji: "I hear my ancestors call me," the emcee says. "They speak through the voice of the lali [log drum]: Come back to my beautiful Fiji."
Vakamalolo: The chief and his young men welcome you with tokens of acceptance and respect.
Vakarorogo Noda Turaga:A vigorous chant and dance tells of warriors who have encountered the enemy and will be courageous in defense of their people.
Raude: Through the fan dance, gratitude is expressed for the land and its beauty as ancestors who have departed to the land of spirits are remembered and revered.
O i Au na Gone ni Wasa Liwa: A traditional war club dance tells of the days of the earliest Fijian ancestors and their migrations across vast oceans seeking a new homeland.
Bula Laie: The Fijian men use color war fans and the women their bamboo derua to bid farewell with this vibrant and energetic number written for the Polynesian Cultural Center. (When Elvis Presley filmed at the Center in 1965, for his 1966 film Paradise Hawaiian Style, he had the song arranged in English as Drums of the Islands.)
Tahiti: The exotic fragrance of tiare flower on the night air, the soft glow of a black pearl, the pulsating drums to the rhythm of the tamure, and the magic of a Polynesian moon all whisper… Tahiti.
Haere Mai na Ta'u Here: Villagers, led by torch bearers, join in a wedding procession as Hinakura and Tane Nui are united by the chief in marriage.
Ote'a Amui: As the marriage celebration begins, villagers rejoice in expressing the hopes of youth and love through a traditional dance, the ote'a.
Hinakura Vahine: Young maidens join Hinakura, dancing the aparima with poise and elegance, followed by the young men and Tane Nui dancing with lively exuberance.
Hinakura: Through the otu'i, or solo dance, Hinakura shares her radiant beauty while Tane Nui shows his strength and agility.
Ote'a: A final ote'a demonstrates the energy, color and excitement of traditional Tahitian dances at times of celebration.
Samoa: When the Polynesian demigod Maui, who is known in all the islands, captured the sun, he discovered the power of fire...and shared it with the people of Samoa.
Sauniuniga o le Aso: The motions of the sasa demonstrate the many activities that must be completed in preparation for an important celebration.
Lumana'i: Women dancing a standing ma'ulu'ulu encourage the youth of Samoa to look toward the future by working hard for a better life.
Fa'ataupati: With rhythmic energy, young men burst into a traditional slap dance, dazzling the eye and delighting the ear.
Nu'u Laiti e: Three young men accept the challenge to conquer fear by playfully extinguishing fire.
Taupou o Samoa: A solo dance by the princess, daughter of the high chief, invites villagers to sing, clap and dance around her to show their happiness and love.
Le Afi Lae Ua Mu: A chant and dance inspired by a volcanic eruption reminds us that adversity is part of life and that strength comes from unity in the face of danger.
Siva Naifi Afi: Our warrior shows courage, strength and bravery as he performs the traditional Samoan fire knife dance.
Finale: The entire cast of over 100 comes on stage to remind you that happiness will be here in paradise, beyond the horizon...
You can take the show home with you on DVD, video and compact disc. Just visit our Treasures of Polynesia webstore to purchase yours today.
