POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER MOVES TO WAIKIKI FOR ASAE CONVENTION

Mini Villages & Entertainment Give A Taste Of Polynesian Experience

Honolulu – August 24, 2003 – More than 4,000 attendees from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) conference experienced a sampling of the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) at last night’s convention opening luau.

The event, held at Fort DeRussy Park next to the Hale Koa Hotel, gave attendees the opportunity to participate in cultural activities with representatives from the PCC. Huts were constructed especially for this event in the same style as the huts at the PCC in Laie, except on a smaller scale. The huts were spaced out around the luau area with food stations in between to encourage the attendees to visit all seven areas.

“ We are honored to be a part of the ASAE convention,” said Von Orgill, president of the PCC. “This is an important convention for Hawaii and we wanted to make sure the attendees and their guests have a great time while they are here. We received very positive comments about our mini villages and it seems like the attendees have enjoyed this evening’s festivities.”

Attendees were greeted with fresh flower lei as they entered the luau area. The evening began with the blowing of the conch shell and the entrance of the Alii, or royal court, with an explanation of their attire and implements to further provide understanding of the host Hawaiian culture. Hula and music continued throughout the night to set the ambiance of the multi-cultural luau experience.

Hut activities included learning to make fire in Samoa, headband weaving in Tonga, hula dancing in Hawaii, twirling the poi balls in Aotearoa New Zealand, playing the derua bamboo sticks in Fiji, getting a “tattoo” in the Marquesas, and drumming in Tahiti.

The night was capped off with a stunning fireknife dance presentation by the PCC’s own Kap Teo-Tafiti, followed by fireworks from the Hilton Hawaiian Village.

In addition to the PCC, the Hawaii Tourism Authority, the Hawaii Convention Center, SMG Corporation, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawaii, the Hilton Hawaiian Village, Hale Koa Hotel, Tihati Productions, and Weil & Associates sponsored the event.

Founded in 1963 as a non-profit organization, the PCC has entertained more than 30 million visitors by preserving and portraying the spirit, culture and people of Polynesia to the rest of the world. More important is the mission of the PCC, which supports the educational mission of Brigham Young University-Hawaii and provides an extension of the classroom in a workplace setting. Since its establishment, the PCC has employed more than 12,000 BYU-Hawaii students. As a non-profit organization, 100 percent of the PCC’s revenue is used for daily operations and to support the students who earn their tuition, room and board, and books. The PCC also provides significant financial support to elementary and secondary schools and to college students attending institutions of their choice besides BYU-Hawaii.