General Center Information
Get answers to general questions about the Polynesian Cultural Center.
- Where is the Polynesian Cultural Center located?
- When does the Polynesian Cultural Center open?
- What activities are available for children?
- Can I use my camera or recorder at the Polynesian Cultural Center?
- How do I subscribe to the Polynesian Cultural Center newsletter?
- What is the purpose of the Polynesian Cultural Center?
Where is the Polynesian Cultural Center located
The Polynesian Cultural Center is located in the small town of Laie, located on the northeast end of Oahu.
Polynesian Cultural Center
55-370 Kamehameha Hwy.
Laie, Hawaii 96762
When does the Polynesian Cultural Center open?
Days
The Polynesian Cultural Center is open Monday–Saturday (closed Sundays, Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays). Other blackout dates may apply.
Hours (Hawai'i Standard Time)
The parking lot, gift shops, snack bar, and Barbecue Luncheon Buffet open at 11:45 a.m. Island tours and the Hawai'i Village presentation begin at 12:05 p.m. with other island activities and village presentations spread throughout the afternoon. The island villages close at 5:00 p.m, except for the Tongan and Samoan villages, which have show that end at 5:30pm. The Box Office closes at 8:00 p.m.
The Rainbows of Paradise canoe pageant is staged on the PCC's freshwater lagoon near Samoa and Hawai'i at 2:30 p.m. each afternoon.
The Ambassador Restaurant and the Island Feast are open continuously from 5:00–7:00 p.m.
The Ali'i Luau runs from 5:15–6:30 p.m. Please plan to be at the Ali'i Luau no later than 5:00 p.m. for your lei greeting. The old-style Hawaiian entertainment lasts until 6:30 p.m.
The Center's world-famous evening show, Ha-Breath of Life, starts at 7:30 p.m. in the Pacific Theater, and finishes at 9:00 p.m. There is a short intermission about halfway through. All seats are reserved. Advanced reservations are highly recommended as evening show seating is assigned on a first-come basis according to the type of ticket purchased.
Our center map outlining all of the Polynesian Cultural Center's activities are available in English, Japanese, Chinese and Korean.
What activities are available for children?
The many aspects of island culture shared at the Polynesian Cultural Center usually fascinate children. For example, among the activities they shouldn't miss:
- Making fire and the coconut cracking demonstration in Samoa.
- Learn the Maori stick game, tititorea, or how to twirl poi balls in Aotearoa.
- Getting a Maori tattoo (it's washable). In fact, a lot of "big kids" proudly wear the PCC tattoos throughout the day, too.
- Trying an ancient form of checkers (konane) and bowling (ulu maika and moa pahe'e) in Hawai'i.
- Ride on a Fijian biribiri in Fiji.
Take a look at our center map for details on activities and village shows for children. View Center Map
Can I use my camera or recorder at the Polynesian Cultural Center?
Guests are welcome to take as many personal pictures or video recordings at the Center as they wish, but no flash photography or video is allowed during the evening show, Ha: Breath of Life, as the light is blinding to the performers on stage and other guests in the darkened theater. Extra film and videotape is available at PCC gift shops and concession stands.
Most PCC performers are also usually available to have their pictures taken with guests. Other pictures are available for purchase from Photo Polynesia, the exclusive licensed photography concession at the Center.
The Polynesian Cultural Center does not allow any other commercial photography or filming on the grounds without prior approval of the Sales & Marketing department. Photo resources for PCC promotional purposes are available.
How do I subscribe to the Polynesian Cultural Center newsletter?
You can enjoy the Polynesian Cultural Center experience over and over again through a free subscription to our new online e-newsletter, which will be distributed several times a year to those guests who choose to share their e-mail addresses with us.
The PCC e-Newsletter will carry in-depth features on some of our fascinating islanders and their particular skills, as well as beautiful pictures, notices of coming attractions and gift products.
If you haven't signed up already, please subscribe now for yourself and/or family and friends.
What is the purpose of the Polynesian Cultural Center?
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints opened the Polynesian Cultural Center, considered one of the world's most successful cultural theme attractions, on October 12, 1963, to help preserve and perpetuate the more ideal aspects of Polynesian culture, and to provide work opportunities for students at the adjoining Brigham Young University Hawai'i.
Since opening, over 33 million visitors have been introduced to the Polynesian people, their arts and customs, and nearly 15,000 BYU-Hawai'i students have helped finance their educational objectives while working as the friendly guides, performers and other PCC employees serving people from all over the world.
