Polynesian Cultural Center facts for kids
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| Location | 55-370 Kamehameha Highway, Laie, Hawaii, U.S. |
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| Coordinates | 21°38′20.63″N 157°55′12.97″W / 21.6390639°N 157.9202694°W |
| Status | open |
| Opened | October 12, 1963 |
| Owner | Corporation of the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |
| Slogan | One Ohana Sharing Aloha |
| Area | 42 acres (17 ha) |
The Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) is a fun place to visit in Laie, on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. It's like a special living museum where you can learn about the cultures of Polynesia. The PCC is owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It first opened on October 12, 1963. The center covers 42 acres (17 hectares) of land. This land belongs to the nearby Brigham Young University–Hawaii (BYU-Hawaii).
At the PCC, you'll find eight villages that look like real tropical villages. People there show you different arts and crafts from all over Polynesia. You can also take a free bus tour of the university. On this tour, you can see the Church's Laie Hawaii Temple and its visitors' center.
About 1,300 people work at the PCC. A big part of them, about 70%, are students from BYU-Hawaii. Since it opened, the PCC has helped over 12,000 students pay for their education. Students can work up to 20 hours a week during school. During breaks, they can work up to 40 hours. The money the PCC earns helps pay for its daily costs and supports student education.
Contents
Discovering the History of PCC
The idea for the PCC started in 1962. David O. McKay, who was the leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the time, said it could be built. He wanted it to help students at BYU-Hawaii get jobs and scholarships. He also wanted it to help keep the cultures of Polynesia alive.
The center's roots go back to the 1940s and 1950s. Back then, people would have beach parties called hukilau and luau. They did this to earn money to rebuild a local church building that had burned down. A famous song called "The Hukilau Song" was even written about these gatherings. It was made popular by Alfred Apaka.
The PCC is one of the most popular places to visit in Hawaii. About 700,000 people come to see it every year. The center also hosts the yearly World Fire Knife Dance Competition. In this exciting event, people show off their amazing skills with flaming swords. Since it opened in 1963, more than 32 million people have visited the PCC.
Fun Activities at the Center
There are many exciting things to do at the Polynesian Cultural Center. You can explore the villages during the day. Then, in the evening, you can watch a special show.
Amazing Evening Shows
The main evening show is called Hā–Breath of Life. It costs extra to see this show. The New York Times newspaper called it "a vivid, energetic production." It shows off songs and dances from the South Pacific. The show includes dances like the hula, tamure, otea, titi torea, haka, poi, meke, tauʻolunga, and Taualuga. About 100 performers are in the show. They perform six evenings a week.
Huki: A Canoe Celebration
On the lagoon, you can watch a parade of canoes. This show highlights the special dances from each Polynesian culture. The current show is called "Huki: A Canoe Celebration." It started in August 2018.
Explore the Villages
Each of the main Polynesian cultures has its own area at the PCC. These areas are set up like traditional villages. You can watch performances and learn about the cultures every hour in these villages. The villages you can visit include:
Besides the villages, the PCC also has a special display about Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island. There's also a tribute to the Church's mission from the 1850s.
You can also enjoy a luʻau, which is a traditional Polynesian feast. The Aliʻi Luʻau, for example, offers traditional foods. This includes pork cooked in an imu, which is an underground oven. You can even see the roasted pig in the imu before your meal! The PCC also has its own special effects theater. And there's a lagoon where you can take canoe rides. You can have a guide with you or paddle the canoe yourself.
Special Events at PCC
The PCC hosts many special events throughout the year. These events celebrate Hawaiian, Samoan, Tahitian, and Māori cultures. There's also a Christmas festival. The PCC used to have a Haunted Lagoon event, but they stopped it in 2013. Other festivals include the Moanikeala Hula festival and the World Fireknife Championships.
Images for kids
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The Tahiti Village show
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Rower in a traditional canoe at the Polynesian Cultural Center
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2022 photograph
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See also
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Hawaii
