CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS "POLYNESIAN-STYLE" AT THE POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER'S CHRISTMAS IN POLYNESIA
Holiday Festival to Celebrate the Season with Free Concerts and Performances
La‘ie, HI – The holidays are coming and this year the North Shore will come alive with seasonal spirit at the Polynesian Cultural Center's (PCC) exciting new festival called "Christmas in Polynesia." The 4-week holiday extravaganza will celebrate the season Polynesian-style with special cultural presentations in the villages, as well as free concerts by favorite local bands, hula hālau performances and kama‘āina specials. PCC's Christmas in Polynesia is sure to delight families and friends during the month of December.
"The holiday season is a time when people around the world share and give to others," said Von Orgill, president of the PCC. "We want to share the cultures of Polynesia and their unique Christmas traditions, and provide a venue for our guests and neighbors to create special holiday memories while enjoying the talents of the hālau, bands, choirs and other performers."
Christmas in Polynesia will kick off on Monday, Dec. 3, with Raiatea Helm, and can be experienced daily except on Sundays all month long. Each PCC village will share stories with its visitors about Christmas in its native home. Special holiday lighting will adorn the front entrance of the Center, inviting all passersby to stop in and enjoy not only the free evening performances, but also local holiday treats and desserts and unique gift items for the holiday season with handmade souvenirs and ornaments.
Every Friday of the festival will feature free exclusive performances by favorite local artists including:
- Ten Feet – Dec. 7
- Koauka – Dec. 14
- Opihi Pickers – Dec. 21
- Justin Young – Dec. 28
The stage will also feature well-known hālau such as Hālau Hula ‘O Hōkūlani and Hālau ‘O Na Pua Kukui. In addition, popular ori Tahiti including Ma‘ohi Nui and Te Hamata, and Honolulu's very own Royal Hawaiian Band will also be part of the free evening performances during the week.
"We felt that it was important for the Polynesian Cultural Center to share its Christmas traditions with the community," said Alfred Grace, senior vice president of marketing and sales for the PCC. "It's our gift to our friends and neighbors to say mahalo for supporting the Center.
In addition to the free daily performances, PCC is teaming up with 7-Eleven Hawaii, Inc. to offer a special holiday rate for those interested in buying a Kama‘āina Annual Pass, which allows holders unlimited access to the PCC villages for an entire year. In addition, many of the PCC's cultural events throughout the year are free, or heavily discounted to pass holders. From Nov. 26 to Dec. 14, kama‘āina can stop by their neighborhood 7-Eleven store for a coupon redeemable for a "buy-one-get-one-free" offer on PCC's Kama‘āina Annual Pass. Kama‘āina can buy a pass for themselves and give the gift of Polynesia for only $34.95, with proof of Hawai‘i residency.
In addition, kama‘āina can take advantage of holiday sales, including a 15 percent discount at PCC's onsite retail plaza, Pacific Marketplace, every Friday for the rest of the year. Not only can visitors experience the holidays in Polynesia, but they can also bring a piece of it back for their friends and families to enjoy.
Christmas in Polynesia performances are free and open to the public, with performances and concerts beginning at 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The villages will share Christmas history and traditions with visitors all day.
Founded in 1963 as a non-profit organization, the PCC has entertained more than 33 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 17,000 young people from over 70 different countries while they attend Brigham Young University-Hawai‘i. As a non-profit organization, 100 percent of PCC's revenue is used for daily operations and to support education. For more information, please visit www.Polynesia.com or call 293-3333.
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Contact:
Amy Hennessey
(808) 531-0244
amy@mcneilwilson.com
