FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 18, 2020
UPDATE: POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER EXTENDS CLOSURE TO APRIL 30,2020
POUNDER’S RESTAURANT AT HUKILAU MARKETPLACE TO ALSO CLOSE
Lā‘ie, Hawai‘i – The Polynesian Cultural Center has extended its current closure for an additional four weeks to April 30 in response to the evolving situation surrounding COVID-19.
Alfred Grace, president and CEO of the Polynesian Cultural Center, stated, ““The health and safety of our employees, guests, and residents in our neighboring communities is always our primary concern. With these newest recommendations from our federal and state government officials and the added emphasis that has been placed on social distancing and avoiding large groups, we felt extending the closure of the Polynesian Cultural Center to April 30 was the best way for us to help slow the coronavirus from spreading further in Hawai‘i.
“We have decided not to accept reservations through April 30, so as not to have guests book their tickets, only to be inconveinenced when our reservation agents have to issue a cancellation. This situation is extremely fluid and should circumstances change that allow us to start accepting reservations before April 30, we will most certainly do so.
The Polynesian Cultural Center employs 1,467 full-time and part-time community employees. All employees will have the opportunity to continue working during the closure in various jobs and assignments to be determined by management. Minimal maintenance projects will continue during the closure.
Pounder’s Restaurant, located in the neighboring Hukilau Marketplace will also temporarily suspend its operations through April 30. Retail shops and food trucks providing pick-up options located at Hukilau Marketplace will remain open for the time being.
ABOUT POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER
Located on O‘ahu’s beautiful North Shore, the Polynesian Cultural Center is the only cultural tourist attraction of its kind in the world and a favorite of all visitors to Hawai‘i. An engaging, interactive celebration showcasing the people, culture, arts and crafts of Polynesia, the Polynesian Cultural Center has entertained millions of visitors from around the world since opening in 1963. A non-profit organization, 100 percent of Polynesian Cultural Center’s revenue goes to daily operations and to support the education of its student-employees from neighboring Brigham Young University-Hawai‘i. For more information, visit www.polynesia.com.