PHOTO: COURTESY POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER | LOCATION: POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER
Founded in 1963, and Hawai‘i’s No. 1 attraction since 1977, the POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER (PCC) celebrates the Aloha State’s diverse Polynesian background with award-winning performances and interactive attractions.
Over the years, more than 33 million visitors have passed through its gates. Here’s what you can look forward to at this destination that was voted one of the Top 10 Travelers’ Choice U.S. Experiences by Tripadvisor:
PCC’s signature attraction is a group of six villages and two exhibits highlighting islands from Fiji to Samoa, where hundreds of Polynesian islanders share their customs and traditions with visitors. Hands-on activities include playing Hawaiian games, throwing Tongan spears, paddling outrigger canoes, cooking and sampling Samoan dishes, getting temporary tattoos, twirling Maori poi balls and joining a Tahitian wedding party, among others.
The vibrant cultures come to life in the villages as Samoans share how homes are lashed together without nails using coconut fiber rope in Samoa. Maori villagers recount their history and legends captured in the intricate details in meeting houses built by master carvers using traditional logs brought in from New Zealand. Fijians invite you into the chief’s home. Tahitians help you tamure (dance). Tongans bring beautiful artistry into making bark cloth and communicating with drums. And Hawaiians teach hula in an anciently patterned setting.
As the sun sets, PCC offers up award-winning dining and show options. PCC’s most popular dining option is the ALI‘I LŪ‘AU, which won the prestigious Kāhili Award (people’s choice) for preserving Hawaiian culture. The lū‘au includes a lei greeting, royal court, imu roast pig, Hawaiian Wedding Song for newlyweds and anniversary couples, beautiful hula and more. You can get your roasted pork carved right off the pig, sample Hawaiian poke (a raw fish dish) and poi, and much more. Other dining options include the island buffet or prime dining in the Gateway Restaurant.
The excitement continues into the evening with the unforgettable performance of HĀ: BREATH OF LIFE, the people’s choice winner for “Best Live Show.” A cast of more than 100 performers traces the birth, coming of age, romance, tragedy and triumph of Mana and his family through fire, song and dance.
Other not-to-be-missed offerings include the HUKILAU MARKETPLACE and POUNDERS RESTAURANT. The marketplace recalls 1950s Hawai‘i with stores offering local goods and eateries offering ‘ono local favorites. At Pounders Restaurant, located within the marketplace, you’ll find revamped dishes prepared with the best ingredients and are sourced directly from the islands. Stand-out dishes include the “Char Siu” Pork Chop, Pineapple Fried Rice and Crispy Whole Sunfish.
Visitors can choose from a variety of packages to take advantage of any or all of the center’s opportunities, including the ISLANDS ADMISSION package that includes admission to all six villages, the Lā‘ie Temple Visitors’ Center Tour and a canoe ride; the EXCLUSIVE ALI‘I LŪ‘AU package includes all of that plus a flower lei greeting at the Ali‘i Lū‘au featuring Onipa‘a, A Tribute to Queen Lili‘uokalani and the evening show HĀ: Breath of Life; the EXCLUSIVE SUPER AMBASSADOR LŪ‘AU package offers guests a personal guide during their time at the center, as well as admission to all six island villages, a canoe ride, and the Lā‘ie and Lā‘ie Hawai‘i Temple Visitors’ Center Tour, as well as a flower lei greeting at the Ali‘i Lū‘au featuring ‘Onipa‘a, A Tribute to Queen Lili‘uokalani and the evening show HĀ: Breath of Life; the EXCLUSIVE GATEWAY BUFFET package includes admission to all six island villages, plus an island buffet dinner at the center’s Gateway Restaurant and admission to HĀ: Breath of Life. Those desiring transportation to PCC may opt for the CIRCLE ISLAND TOUR package that offers a special circle-island road trip with views of Diamond Head State Monument, Hanauma Bay Lookout, Hālona Blow Hole and more.
Visitors can choose from a variety of packages to take advantage of any or all of the center’s opportunities. Call for reservations and specific show times.
POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER 808-293-3457
