LIFE AT THE CENTER
The miracle of the pusi
In the early 1960s as a missionary in Sāmata, Savai‘i, I once joined a high chief for breakfast, served *sua pusi*—moray eel cooked in coconut milk. A guest refused to eat, noting that not even flies would land on it. Later that day, a truckload of villagers was rushed to the hospital with food poisoning from that same eel. My companion and I, protected by the Lord’s promise, felt no sickness at all. I’ve never eaten eel again.
Derek Kalima Foley: “Washing Dishes, ‘running’ Deelites”
At just 14, Derek Kalima Foley was hustling behind the scenes at the Polynesian Cultural Center — from steaming dish pits with his Kahuku High buddies to sprinting down theater steps with trays of Pineapple Deelites. Discover how this local Laie boy turned hard work into unforgettable memories during the PCC’s busiest years in the 1990s.
Kap Te’o-Tafiti: Still climbing coconut trees
Still climbing 50-foot coconut trees in his 50s, Kap Te’o-Tafiti is more than just muscle and charm. A beloved ambassador of the Polynesian Cultural Center, Kap is a witty teacher of Sāmoan culture, a dedicated vegetarian, and a talented artist. Learn the surprising and inspiring story behind one of PCC’s most iconic cultural figures.
Miracles in Aloha
Culinary Services Vice President Greg Maples shared two miracles the occurred in his area in 2022.