Disney's Polynesian Resort

The influences of the islands span much further than the islands themselves.  In Orlando, Florida, there is Disney's Polynesian Resort.  The resort first opened it's doors in 1971.  They have a themed dinner "Ohana" which I remember attending when I was little.  ("Ohana" means family, by the way, and family means that no one is left behind.)  During the dinner, I remember there being an activity to the tune "The Tiki Room" which was enjoyable and the overall experience was tremendous.  On a later Disney World Trip, I was taken to their Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show.  While this several years ago as well, I remember that the fire torches were a really fascinating aspect of the show and it was the first time I had ever seen hula dancers.  I have to say Disney does an excellent job of taking the South Pacific way of life and bringing it closer to home.  Below is a little slideshow I put together of their resort.

     

Mele Kalikimaka

As Santa Claus starts surfing to town tonight, Pacific Dreamland wishes everyone a 

(Video by username sandroxmas)

Bing Crosby's Mele Kalikimaka Lyrics

Mele Kalikimaka is the thing to say on a bright Hawaiian Christmas Day 
That's the island greeting that we send to you from the land where palm trees sway
Here we know that Christmas will be green and bright
The sun to shine by day and all the stars at night
Mele Kalikimaka is Hawaii's way to say Merry Christmas to you

Mele Kalikimaka is the thing to say on a bright Hawaiian Christmas day
That's the island greeting that we send to you from the land where palm trees sway 
Here we know that Christmas will be green and bright 
The sun to shine by day and all the stars at night 
Mele Kalikimaka is Hawaii's way to say Merry Christmas to you 

Here we know that Christmas will be green and bright 
The sun to shine by day and all the stars at night 
Mele Kalikimaka is Hawaii's way to say Merry Christmas to you 

Mele Kalikimaka is the thing to say on a bright Hawaiian Christmas Day
That's the island greeting that we send to you from the land where palm trees sway
Here we know that Christmas will be green and bright
The sun to shine by day and all the stars at night 
Mele Kalikimaka is Hawaii's way to say Merry Christmas
A very Merry Christmas, a very, very, Merry, Merry Christmas to you

Perseverence

Ekolu's new album is available today on itunes.

Interesting fact: The name Perseverance came from when Ekolu spoke to Israel Kamakawiwo'ole (singer of Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World) at his performance in Maui Zoo at 14 years old.  IZ told Ekolu to go home and look up the word "perseverance" because he knew the word was for Ekolu.  Today, we see and here perseverance in action from them.  I believe we all could take a valuable lesson away from this.

Visit Team Ekolu's page for more details of their story and music.

Island 98.5

Two years ago, I first stumbled across a reggae station by the name of island 98.5.  This station is based in Honolulu, Hawaii and first aired in 1988.  Fun fact: the first song I heard on this station that brought my attention to this genre was Ups and Downs by Ho'okoa.  

Listen live here:

Ocean Serenity

It is that time again... let's all have another round at marveling at the beauty of the islands. This Ocean Serenity clip is a collection found of Bora Bora night pictures put to music that really matches the mystique of the island.

Site Updates: New Look

You may have noticed that things look slightly different here.  The boarders have been eliminated and the background is now entirely Bora Bora for your viewing pleasure.

Mulligans of Paradise

Dashing through the snow, on a pair of broken skiis....  Who's idea is winter anyways?  

I think it is high tide for another "Mulligans of Paradise". 

The course, Le-Panina, is the only course in Samoa that is a part of the PGA tour (as of 2009).  It has a par of 72 and is full of beautiful views which can be seen in this clip. Enjoy!

Perseverance

We are now a week away from Ekolu's release of Perseverance.  The excitement is growing...
I have even found a remix of their "Provide for You" track which is on the album.  This video was posted by username Keldin Calairo and is a fantastic remix of this tune.

Ooh la Aloha Friday

"Won't you come over love, so I can show you love."  

If you are wondering where this line comes from, it is a line from Anuhea. Anuhea is a guitarist and songwriter from Maui.  In 2006, this beautiful lady attended the Miss Maui Pageant.  

Well, I think this picture has just brought an all new meaning to Pacific Dreamland's 

slogan:  "Anything tropical is fair game." 

On that note...

Below is one of her hit songs "Come Over Love"

Sounds of the Islands

Today brings some exciting news from the Maui reggae band Ekolu.  They have announced that there will be a new album release from them in time for Christmas.

Perseverance is launching on Christmas Eve and I am super excited to hear what they have in store for this album.  A single from this album has already been released by the title of "Provide for You" which is an excellent island groove.  If you are in eyesight of this message and enjoy island music like me, you can preorder their album at their site "Ekolu Music" 

Pearl Harbor

Seventy-two years from today was the infamous bombing of Pearl Harbor on the island of Honolulu. This surprise attack was lead by Japanese soldiers and consisted of 21 ships and about 200 planes.  The bombing of the U.S. military base resulted in 2,300 casualties which have been remembered through the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial since its opening in 1962.  

Tour information can be found here

The Pacific Crown Jewel

Did you know?

Bora Bora is claimed to be first inhabited by Polynesian settlers in the ninth century.

The settlers first named this island Vauvau.

Vauvau was conquered in the late 1800's by French settlers and became known as "Pora Pora". Pora means "first born" in their language.

After the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941,  The United States took an interest in "Pora Pora" and built an airstrip and established a military base there to keep war supplies.  

There is a cannon on the island that is an artifact of the war days on this island.  

The name Pora Pora was so frequently butchered and said as "Bora Bora" that it became the name that we know the island by today.  

The military base was eventually abandoned due to lack of activity and the base and airstrip became the airport.  It's location is presently called Motu Mute (a motu is a tiny island just of the coast of the main island of Bora Bora).

Since then it is described as one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in the world. 

"The Pacific Crown Jewel"