EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES CULMINATE 40TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION AT THE POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER

Family Fun Day, Free Mini-Concert Series, and Parade Accent Celebration

Laie, HI - October 6, 2003 - As the official 40th anniversary date draws near, the Polynesian Cultural Center is preparing a weeklong celebration of activities for visitors, kama’aina, employees and alumni.

Starting on Monday, October 20, the PCC will host a daily concert series at 6:00 p.m. in its Front Entrance Plaza featuring a variety of popular Hawai‘i recording artists such as Kapena, Keahiwai, the Opihi Pickers, O’Brian Eselu and more. Admission to the concerts is free and the events are being offered as a mahalo to everyone who has supported the PCC and its mission over the years.
“ It is our pleasure to invite our neighbors and friends to celebrate in our 40th birthday this year,” said Ellen Gay Dela Rosa, senior manager for Hawaii events and promotions for the PCC. “We hope everyone can join us for this exciting week of activities and fun.”

The Center will be closed on Friday for a private celebration for employees and alumni, but will re-open on Saturday with a host of activities for everyone. The daily concert series will be the only event offered for the public on Friday, October 24.

Saturday’s celebration will start with a parade throughout the La‘ie community from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ending at the PCC’s front entrance. The parade will feature the Royal Hawaiian Band, PCC 30-Millionth Visitor Dianna Hill, Fancy Cars, the PCC Brass Band, the Kahuku ROTC and many others.
Family fun activities will be the highlight of the day in each of the Island villages at the PCC with tattooing, poi ball twirling, hula and more. PCC Alumni employees will be on hand to share their experiences and offer new activities for visitors to try.

The family activities will take place from 12:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. culminating with an exciting concert performance from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. by various local recording artists in the PCC’s Front Entrance Plaza.

For the Anniversary week only, the PCC is offering kama’aina two special admission offers to say mahalo for their support over the years. First, for each adult ticket purchased, your child gets in free (a value of up to $19.95). And, for those who know they will visit the PCC often in the coming year, purchase an adult annual pass and you get a free child’s annual pass (a value of $19.95). Meals are not included in the offer. Proof of Hawai‘i residency must be shown to be eligible for the offer. Normal admission rates apply for non-kama‘aina tickets. For reservations or more information, please call 293-3333.

40TH ANNIVERSARY SCHEDULE
Throughout the Anniversary celebration week, buy one daily kama’aina admission or annual pass and get a free child’s admission or annual pass.

•	October 20 Kapena in Concert 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., PCC Front Entrance Plaza, FREE
•	October 21 The Opihi Pickers in Concert 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., PCC Front Entrance Plaza, FREE
•	October 22 Keahiwai in Concert 6-7 p.m., PCC Front Entrance Plaza, FREE
•	October 23 Charity Golf Tournament 9:30 a.m., Turtle Bay Resort Palmer Course, $125 per person
•	‘ Ale‘a in Concert 6-7 p.m., PCC Front Entrance Plaza, FREE
•	October 24 O’Brian Eselu and his Halau in Concert 6-7 p.m., PCC Front Entrance Plaza, FREE
•	PCC Closed to the Public for Private Anniversary Celebration. O’Brian’s concert is the only event open to the public on Friday, October 24.
•	October 25 PCC’s 40th Anniversary Parade 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., La‘ie, FREE
•	Family Fun Day Activities 12:30-6:00 p.m., PCC Island Villages
•	Pati in Concert 6-7 p.m., PCC Front Entrance Plaza, FREE

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.