The Polynesian Cultural Center stages the Ali'i Luau in its Hale Aloha Theater. The Hale Aloha, which was completely renovated in early 2003, comfortably seats about 700 guests on individual chairs at tables for eight. All seats have an excellent view of the entertainment.
The Hale Aloha also features a mountain backdrop with the imu (oven) pit at its foot, as well as waterfalls and a lagoon, two 90-foot tropical foliage murals, a large stage, and eight buffet serving stations. The "backstage" mountain includes dressing rooms, offices and practice facilities for the performers.
When the number of tickets sold for the Ali'i Luau exceeds the Hale Aloha's capacity, the Polynesian Cultural Center puts on a second and sometimes even a third seating in the similarly spectacular Hale 'Ohana and Hale Ku'ai. These venues have won national awards for their beautiful landscaping and are also available for large group dinners and special events. The program and luau menu in the Hale 'Ohana and the Hale Ku'ai are identical to those in the Hale Aloha.
The Hale Aloha was the home of the Polynesian Cultural Center's first evening show from opening day — over 40 years ago on October 12, 1963, when it originally seated 600 guests.
In 1976, the evening show shifted to the 2,800-seat Pacific Theater as the Center evolved into Hawaii's most popular paid-admission visitor attraction. After that, the Hale Aloha featured other daytime shows and activities. For many years its stage was covered with sand, but in the 1980s the PCC extended the lagoon into the Hale Aloha, where the water-covered stage became the site for the Center's long-running Pageant of the Long Canoes (which evolved into Rainbows of Paradise) for a number of years.
The Hale 'Ohana was originally the PCC's Market Place, which was moved behind the IMAX™ Theater in the mid-90s and remodeled into the original Ali'i Luau venue. The Hale Ku'ai was originally what its Hawaiian name means: It was one of the original shopping locations back when the Center's entrance was just makai, or on the "ocean side," of where the Hale Ku'ai now stands. To reflect the history of the building, the name was not changed when the PCC renovated it in 2003.
