Malo e Lelei...or "good health" is the Polynesian greeting of Tonga, where His Royal Highness, King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV, the last remaining monarch in the South Pacific, reigns over his loyal Polynesian subjects. Revering the king, the hereditary descendant of the paramount chief, is just one manifestation of how Tongans have managed to hold on firmly to their ancient culture, including language, customs, food, housing and architecture.
The young Tongans you will meet at the Polynesian Cultural Center will gladly share much of their heritage with you. In fact, you might say they will greet you royally.
Island activities
Five times each afternoon — at 2:00, 3:00, 4:00, 5:00 and 5:30 — the Tongans present their very popular Tongan ta nafa or drumming presentation that actually starts by learning the simple yet graceful motions of a mauluulu sitting dance. For example, you'll learn the difference between clapping with a pasi or a fu sound. You can also try your hand at Tongan lafo, a type of shuffleboard game, or even your accuracy with tolo spear throwing.
The "village" houses
As befits a kingdom, the Islands of Tonga at the Polynesian Cultural Center include a one-quarter scale replica of the late Queen Salote's Fale Fakatu'i or "summer palace," built in Laie under Her Majesty's direction before the Center opened in 1963; also the Fale Fakataha, the "meeting house"; the Fale Lahi or "family dwelling; the Fale Ngaue or "work house" where women make bark cloth and other crafts; the Fale Va'inga which features the Tongan "game house" version of shuffleboard; and the Fale Peito or "cook house" with its earth oven.
