Polynesian Cultural Center Reinvigorates Its Hawaiian Culture Offerings

Expanded Hawaiian Experience Includes New Venues, Activities, Cuisine Kamaaina Can Experience New Offerings with $15 Special

Laie, Hawaii – March 18, 2013 – In its 50th anniversary year, this year, the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) offers a Hawaiian cultural experience available no where else in Hawaii, including a rebuilt Hawaii Village, a brand new interactive cinematic experience – Hawaiian Journey, and a revitalized farm-to-table menu for its Alii Luau. The new trio of offerings reinvigorates PCC’s Hawaiian cultural offerings, providing an opportunity for guests to become fully immersed in Hawaii’s host culture.

Central to the new Hawaii Village is a representation of an ahupuaa – a land division used by ancient Hawaiians, usually extending from the uplands to the sea – where visitors can see Hawaiian’s mastery of water usage, and a loi kalo, an irrigated terrace system used to grow taro.
The beauty of the Village is complimented by the spirited activities available to guests. Guests can now sway their hips freely in the new hula area, which also includes more space to play the traditional games of Hawaii including ulu maika (similar to lawn bowling) and konane (Hawaiian checkers), among others. The brand new petroglyph activity invites guests to learn about the ancient Hawaiian method of storytelling through which figures were carved into lava rocks to record everything from family lineage to historical events. Guests can then record their own bit of history by creating their own original petroglyphs.
“Our goal at the Polynesian Cultural Center is to educate guests on and immerse them in the cultures of Polynesia. The new Hawaii Village gives us the oportunity to expand our cultural offerings, getting our guests involved with activities like popo maika, an ancient game similar to skeeball, so they can experience what life in ancient Hawaii was really like,” said Raymond Mokiao, manager of the Hawaii Village. “Combined with our Hawaiian Journey interactive theater presentation and our new Alii Luau menu, guests will enjoy a cultural experience that will create lifetime memories for them.”
The new Hawaiian Journey is an experience so explosive that only a volcano could hold it. Housed inside of a structure modeled after a volcano, Hawaii’s natural beauty is brought to life through gorgeous cinematography and customized special effects that engage the viewers’ senses. The thrilling story offers a window for guests to experience the Hawaiian peoples’ respect for their sacred lands and the connection that it provides to their beloved ancestors.
The Hawaiian cultural experience also extends to an authentic luau experience, the Alii Luau, featuring the best locally grown ingredients Hawaii has to offer. A new menu, created by Executive Chef Hector Morales, features a harmonious combination of traditional luau staples, such as kalua pork, ahi poke and poi, and fresh farm-to-table offerings including Hawaii Island pohole fern shoots, Hauula tomato and goat cheese salad, and honey roasted Molokai sweet potato with roasted coconut. Chef Morales received his culinary degree from the the world-renowned Johnson and Wales University, the same university that produced chefs Emeril Lagasse, Tyler Florence, Lorena Garcia and Sean Brock.
For a limited time, kamaaina can experience the newly revitalized Hawaii Village and Hawaiian Journey for just $15. A valid Hawaii I.D. must be shown to be eligible. The Alii Luau can be added at an additional cost. For more information on this special offer or to make reservations, visit Polynesia.com, or call the PCC ticket office at (800) 1-844-572-2347 . On Oahu, call 293-3333.
Celebrating 50 years in 2013, the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) was founded in 1963 as a non-profit organization, and has entertained more than 37 million visitors, while preserving and portraying the culture, arts and crafts of Polynesia to the rest of the world. In addition, the PCC has provided financial assistance to nearly 18,000 young people from more than 70 different countries while they attend Brigham Young University-Hawaii. As a non-profit organization, 100 percent of PCC’s revenue is used for daily operations and to support education.