The Polynesian Cultural Center in Hawaii

Col Morris Reese Turner, currently a Support Division Chief at the Army’s Human Resource Command in Fort Knox Kentucky, has nearly three decades of experience serving in the United States Army. Early in his career, Col Reese Turner was stationed at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii. While there, he enjoyed many of the beautiful sites and the magnificent culture of our nation’s 50th state.

Hundreds of years ago, Polynesians from the Marquesas Islands and later from Tahiti settled in Hawaii. As time marched into the 20th century, Mormon missionaries David McKay and Matthew Cowley recognized that Polynesian culture was becoming diluted and forgotten. In an effort to preserve these beautiful cultures, they started an annual production called “Polynesian Panoramas” on the island of Oahu, which showcased elements of many of these island cultures. In 1963, with the purchase and development of land on the North Shore, the annual shows became an important tradition of the new Polynesian Cultural Center.

The Polynesian Cultural Center offers visitors an opportunity to experience the unique traditions of six islands in the South Pacific: Tonga, Tahiti, Hawaii, Fiji, Aotearoa, and Samoa. When exploring each of the six islands’ historical villages, visitors can experience each culture by listening to music, learning history, and participating in traditional games and activities.

Guests of the Polynesian Cultural Center can also participate in the award-winning Ali’i Luau. At the luau, guests witness a royal celebration of Hawaii’s heritage. Delicious, authentic Hawaiian food such as steamed tropical fish, shoyu glazed chicken, and teriyaki marinated strip loin are included on the menu.

The Polynesian Cultural Center is one of Hawaii’s most popular attractions and gives visitors rich and authentic insight into the cultures of the Pacific.

Secret Beaches of the Hawaiian Islands

A leader with more than two decades of experience in operations management, Col. Morris Reese Turner is a decorated United States Army officer. Throughout his career, he has held several positions and responsibilities, and he was most recently the commander for the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute (DEOMI). Outside of his professional life, Col. Reese Turner enjoys traveling. Hawaii is one of his favorite places, and he is particularly fond of the beaches.

Because beaches are one of the prime attractions in Hawaii, some of the state’s well-known spots can get extremely crowded. Here a few of Hawaii’s less frequented beaches for visitors looking for a more secluded seaside experience:

- Waipio Valley Beach: Located on the Big Island, Waipio Valley Beach is a secluded, black sand beach. Visitors must hike three miles to get to the beach, but once there they can enjoy superfine sand and clear waters within the shelter of 2,000-foot-high cliffs.

- Papohaku Beach: One of two beach parks on Molokai that allows camping, Papohaku Beach is the longest white sand beach in the Hawaiian Islands. It is largely devoid of people most of the time, but swimming in the ocean can be extremely dangerous.

- Glass Beach: A perfect spot for travelers who love sea glass, Glass Beach in Kauai is covered in small sea glass pebbles. Most of the glass on the beach is from broken bottles that have been smoothed out over time.

- Bellows Field Beach: A shallow beach on the eastern shore of Oahu, Bellows Field Beach is a great spot for visitors looking to enjoy some calm swimming. Even though it is located on Oahu, the beach sees comparatively small crowds.

The MOAA’s Three Membership Types

An officer with the United States Army, Col. Morris Reese Turner has a proven track record of inspiring others. Through his more than 20-year career, he has held such roles as commander at the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute, battalion commander at Fort Bragg, and brigade deputy commander at Fort Sill. Col. Reese Turner also belongs to the MOAA.

The Military Officer Association of America (MOAA), the largest association of military officers in the United States, maintains three types of membership that each offer a variety of benefits. These three membership types are briefly described below:

- Basic: an electronic, no-fee membership designed for junior officers, the MOAA basic membership gives individuals the chance to participate in career fairs and various networking opportunities. Members also receive travel and product discounts and newsletters.

- Premium: available in one, two, or three year subscriptions, premium membership starts at $40 and offers the same benefits as basic memberships. It also includes all of the MOAA’s career resources and exclusive publications, along with access to scholarships and financial advice.

- Life: the most elite membership option, life membership varies in cost depending on age and includes all benefits of the other membership types. However, it does include several exclusive benefits such as the option to waive Army and Navy Club fees and extra travel rewards.

When to Visit Jamaica

Col. Morris Reese Turner is a dedicated United States Army officer and has held various staff and command positions over the course of nearly three decades. He has earned several awards and decorations such as the Combat Action Badge and two Bronze Star medals. An avid traveler, one of Col. Reese Turner’s favorite places to visit is Jamaica.

Although temperatures in Jamaica hover between the 70s and 80s throughout the year, the country still has high and low tourist seasons. High season generally lasts from January through March. During these months, temperatures are breezy and warm. Hurricane season is also over by this time, so rainfall is at its lowest. Due to the popularity of visiting during this time, both crowds and costs are large.

Much of the rest of the year sees fewer tourists and cheaper prices, but weather can be a strong deterrent depending on the month. From July to September, rainfall steadily increases and many attractions and hotels close. However, rates are often lowest during these months because tourism follows a steep decline. Between April and June the country also experiences increased rain. However, it is often more manageable, so most hotels stay open and offer extra deals.

Perhaps the best time to visit Jamaica is from October to December. Although rainfall normally reaches its peak in October, the Caribbean hurricane season begins to calm down during these months. Most resorts maintain low prices because of the continued risk of rain, but the risk is quite low and many travelers enjoy clear skies and average temperatures during this time. Unfortunately, some hotel services are reduced and hotels may be undergoing repairs.