Places, Earth
Polynesian Cultural Center

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Polynesian Cultural Center

The Polynesian Cultural Center has been educating and entertaining visitors to the north shore of Oahu since the early 1960s and is one of the most popular tourist stops. The 42 acre Polynesian Cultural Center was built in 1963 by labor missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Center recreates several Pacific Island cultures, six with activities, two are only exhibits, and some smaller, less-defined, areas. Architecture, activities, and shows fill the several sections as they are arranged in a loop around the waterways.

The Villages are: The Islands of Aotearoa (New Zeland), The Islands of Fiji, The Islands of Hawaii, The Islands of Samoa, The Islands of Tahiti, and The Islands of Tonga. Exhibits include Rapa Nui (Easter Island) and Marquesas. Within Hawaii is Canoe Landing and Iosepa - Voyage of Discovery. The Hawaiian Mission Settlement isn't a Village or Exhibit, but a little of both.

A canoe ride takes visitors around the waterways, while Canoe Pageant, a parade of flat top catamarans, provides a platform for highlighting dances and other cultural activities.

Activities included spear throwing, lea making, ukelele lessons, weaving, and many other activities that would be a normal part of the lives of these people. Several areas include performance areas both teaching and entertaining the audience. There are three pavilions with Lu'aus. It would require two days to see all of the shows on the schedule.

Distributed throughout the Center are shops and food vendors. Hukilau Theater presents IMAX shows throughout the day. The Pacific Theater presents an evening show. A tour is offered every 20 minutes to the Town of Laie, the Hawaii campus of Brigham Young University, and the temple sometimes called the "Taj Mahal of the Pacific."

The Polynesian Cultural Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the cultural heritage of Polynesia. Many of the staff are Polynesian students on scholarships provided by the Center and attend the adjacent university, many returning to their homes to serve their home islands.

Hours: 12:00 Opens at Noon (best to arrive by 1:30).
While the evening shows and Lu'aus run later, the Villages start to wrap up about 5:00.
Closed Sunday and Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The "Free within three" admission covers three days allowing visitors to experience everything. The one drawback to the Center is there is too much to see and do in just one day. There is a fee for parking.

Polynesian Cultural Center is beside Highway 83 and easy to find about an hour north of Honolulu.

Mission Village

Fiji

Fiji at right.

Tonga

Tahiti

Marquesas

Hawaii

Resting place.

Rapa Nui

Aotearoa

Samoa

Canoe Pageant

The Canoe Pageant is like a parade on water. Each canoe represents a different island group. Native daces are performed on the flat top of the catamaran canoe.

This is the stage for music to accompany the pagent.

Finale.

Vending

This snack bar is at the far end, as visitors start the return section of the loop.

Oahu Island Main Page

This page last updated: Thursday, 03-Jun-2010 01:27:05 EDT

Note: This is not the official site for any of the places shown in Places Earth. Places Earth is not responsible for accuracy of the information. Hours of operations, prices, exhibits, and sometimes locations are subject to change without notice.

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Places, Earth Polynesian Cultural Center