Salmon (cold diced salmon, tomatoes and onion), sweet potatoes, Poke (generally fresh cubes of ahi/tuna), Taro Dinner Rolls, Hapuia (a coconut flavored desert) and, of course, Poi (a thick, purple-colored paste made by pounding taro, used to absorb the saltiness in some dishes).

I had been informed that the Polynesian Cultural Center is the number-one paid attraction in Hawai’i. Now I know why. “Bula”—-the Fijian word for “life,” and a way of wishing good health and fortune to you all!
Polynesia.com

HOW TO GET THERE
Hawaiian Airlines offers direct flights from LAX and San Diego. In the Aloha Spirit, the airline is a welcoming throwback to the days of ample snacks, highquality, warm meals and attentive staff, all-included inthe price of a coach seat. HawaiianAir.com

WHERE TO STAY
For many, the iconic Turtle Bay Hotel is the North Shore of Oahu. Nestled on 880 ocean-front acres, the full-service luxury property offers spacious rooms with views and balconies, beaches on both sides of the property, a surfing reef, two golf courses, walking trails and on-site restaurants including the cutting edge (and right on the beach) Hawaiian fusion wonder, Ola. TurtleBayResort.com

Ed Boitano is travel editor for "Southern California Life After 50 magazine."