From Humble Beginnings to a World-Class Treasure

Introduction to the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC)

Visitors to the Polynesian Cultural Center become part of an exciting and ongoing story that began in 1963—one that some in the Hawaiian Islands once predicted was certain to fail. However, the inspired dual purpose of the PCC has prevailed through its founding and the past sixty years. It remains a world-class living museum dedicated to faithfully perpetuating the cultures of Polynesia while also helping to support the educational development and growth of students at Brigham Young University–Hawaiʻi (BYU–Hawaiʻi). The award-winning Center continues to be one of the most popular visitor destinations in Hawaiʻi.

Cultural Performances and Activities 

The PCC presents vibrant, memorable entertainment that portrays the cultures and traditions of six Polynesian Island Villages. Guests witness the daring Samoan fire-knife dance—real knives, real fire—the fierce Māori haka, the graceful, swaying language of the Hawaiian hula, and the fast-paced Tahitian ʻoteʻa, among others. Native dancers honor their ancestral legacy by mastering intricate movements handed down through generations.

Visitors may also participate in hands-on activities, such as creating portable art from local plants and sampling—or learning to make—traditional foods. Each village presents unique stories through dance, music, food, and games. The explosion of colorful dances, the distinctive rhythms of drums and ʻukulele, the stunning native costumes, and the carefully crafted thatched and carved buildings—created by skilled artisans—all combine to leave a lasting impression of Polynesia. The Center is a place where the spirit of aloha and ʻohana (family) has welcomed more than 50 million visitors since its storied founding. 

Overcoming Early Challenges

The Polynesian Cultural Center had a humble beginning and was widely dismissed around Oʻahu and elsewhere in Hawaiʻi as doomed to flop. Critics said it was too isolated—located on what was then considered the barren North Shore, over an hour’s drive from Waikīkī and Honolulu. “Who would go there to see amateurs perform?” was the oft-repeated refrain. Some doubted that students from the then Church College of Hawaiʻi and the small town of Lāʻie could provide authentic cultural entertainment.

But after a few short years—and some growing pains—it became “the flop that flipped,” as declared in a 1967 Honolulu Magazine article. Today, the award-winning Polynesian Cultural Center continues to wow audiences, entertaining nearly a million visitors annually. 

Historical Roots of Lāʻie and the PCC

The first year brought struggles, especially in attracting enough visitors to meet payroll. The head men of the six island villages represented at the PCC, along with other dedicated employees, were told that payroll could not be met and that the Center might have to close. One village head stepped forward and said he would continue working without pay because he believed in the Center’s purpose. Chiefs from the other villages and workers echoed his support, offering to continue without salaries until conditions improved. Within a few years, amidst growth and improvements, the PCC was recognized as a major success.

Ground was set aside in 1954 for the construction of what is now Brigham Young University–Hawaiʻi. Church President David O. McKay, at the groundbreaking, stated that Lāʻie would become a place where “not thousands, not tens of thousands, but millions of people…” would come. (At the time, Hawaiʻi's annual tourism was just over 100,000 visitors, mostly from the mainland.) This inspired direction later led to the establishment of the Polynesian Cultural Center—a sister entity to the university—which has indeed welcomed millions of visitors from around the world.

Lāʻie had long been a gathering place and refuge for Polynesians from many islands. They built homes and welcomed others immigrating from places as distant as Aotearoa (New Zealand). Many stayed, transforming Lāʻie into a vibrant cultural melting pot. The townspeople later helped build a temple, churches, schools, and businesses such as a sugar plantation, a mill, and farms to support the community.

The Hukilau Tradition: A Precursor to the PCC

An annual hukilau event in Lāʻie once brought participants together to cast nets into the ocean and share the gathered fish. A traditional Hawaiian lūʻau, complete with succulent kālua pork cooked in an imu (underground oven), made for a memorable feast. Singing and dancing entertained guests at this all-day affair—for just three dollars a ticket. “The Hukilau Song,” penned by Jack Owens in 1948 after attending the event, helped popularize the gathering. People from across Oʻahu—and busloads of tourists—flocked to Lāʻie for the renowned lūʻau and hukilau, which served as a precursor to the eventual creation of the PCC.

Laborers from many countries joined forces to build the PCC’s island villages, dredge canals, plant trees and flowers, and transform the once-swampy taro farm into the lush, landscaped grounds seen today.

Collaboration with Disneyland and Early Influences

Dave Hannemann, then Director of Operations at the PCC, visited Disneyland to learn what made the Magic Kingdom so successful. The lessons he brought back—combined with Polynesia’s warmth, hospitality, and deep cultural traditions—helped shape the PCC into a world-class experience.

Hollywood stars, world leaders, and other notables came to experience the PCC.

Among them was the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley, who filmed parts of Paradise, Hawaiian Style on-site. As a departing gesture, he received numerous lei from PCC performers and guests. His manager began to remove the leis in the hot sun, but Elvis, eyes misty with emotion, waved him off, touched by the genuine aloha. He wore the leis for the entire trip back to Honolulu. Deeply moved, he returned several times—his final visit only months before his death in 1977.

His Majesty King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipauʻu of Tonga visited when the Tongan Island Village reopened and were honored with a full ceremonial welcome.

Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, Speaker of the Parliament of Fiji and Paramount Chief (Tui Cakau), visited the PCC in August 2024 where he toured the Fiji Village and expressed pride in the authentic cultural presentations.

First ladies of the United States who have visited the PCC include Pat Nixon, Jacqueline Kennedy, and Lynda Bird Johnson, as well as other U.S. political notables.

Chinese Premier Zhao Ziyang visited the PCC in 1984.

BYU–Hawaiʻi and PCC: Symbiotic Support

Today, more than 3,000 students from nearly 70 countries—more than any other U.S. university—attend BYU–Hawaiʻi. Approximately 80 percent of the Polynesian Cultural Center’s paid workforce is made up of these students, who serve in nearly every department across the 42-acre campus. These hands-on internships and work experiences complement their academic education, providing them with valuable real-world skills that give them a competitive edge in the job market after graduation.

The opportunities are both rich and diverse, ranging from sales and marketing, graphic and web design, and information technology, to hospitality, food service, and performing arts roles such as singing and dancing. In addition, students benefit from meaningful mentorships that help shape their personal and professional growth.

Awards and Recognition

Over the decades, the Polynesian Cultural Center has earned numerous accolades, including:

• Hawaiʻi’s #1 Paid Attraction (multiple years) – Voted by readers of Hawaiʻi Magazine and Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
• Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award – Consistently ranked among the top attractions in Hawaiʻi.
• Best Cultural Attraction in Hawaiʻi – By Hawaiʻi’s Best People’s Choice Awards.
• Western Museums Association Award – For outstanding cultural programming.
• Best Live Show – HĀ: Breath of Life has received high praise for storytelling and performance quality.
• Sustainable Tourism Certificate – From the Hawaiʻi Ecotourism Association for responsible tourism practices. 

These awards reflect PCC’s excellence in entertainment, education, and cultural preservation

Cultural Authenticity and Commitment

PCC’s foundation is built on preserving and authentically presenting the cultures of Polynesia. Its commitment includes:

• Cultural Experts: Each island village consults with cultural advisors, elders, and scholars to ensure accuracy in dances, language, customs, and storytelling.
• Living Museums: PCC’s format blends entertainment with education, allowing guests to interact with cultural practitioners in immersive settings.
• Support from Home Governments: Several Pacific nations have formally endorsed PCC’s cultural programs, and delegations from these countries often visit or perform.
• Educational Mission: As a nonprofit affiliated with BYU–Hawaiʻi, PCC also supports cultural education for students—many of whom are from Polynesia and return to serve their communities. 

The Legacy and Future of the PCC

The Polynesian Cultural Center remains a testament to faith, resilience, and cultural preservation. Its enduring mission to share aloha continues to uplift and inspire visitors from around the world while enriching the lives of students and honoring the diverse and living cultures of Polynesia.