Hours of Operation

What are the Polynesian Cultural Center's operating hours?

The Polynesian Cultural Center opens at 12:00 pm. Activities take place throughout the day, beginning with the Island Villages at 12:15 pm and concluding after HĀ: Breath of Life at approximately 9:00 pm.

The Center includes several experiences that operate on different schedules throughout the day. 

Island Villages

The Island Villages are open from 12:15 pm to 5:30 pm.

Additional daytime experiences include:

• Hawaiian Journey Theater: Last show at 6:30 pm
• Tram Tour: Last tour at 6:40 pm
• Aliʻi Lūʻau: Concludes by 6:30 pm
• Gateway Buffet: Concludes by 7:00 pm

Evening Activities 

After the Island Villages close, guests may continue to enjoy the Hukilau Marketplace, evening dining options, and HĀ: Breath of Life, which is the final scheduled activity of the day and concludes at approximately 9:00 pm. 
 
Wednesday Operations

The Center is typically closed on Sundays and Wednesdays. However, the Center is open on Wednesdays during the following periods:

• June 29 – August 8
• December 15 – January 3
• April 20 – April 25 

 
Holiday Schedule

The Center is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

During weeks that include one of these holidays, the Center will be open on Wednesday in place of the holiday closure.

Guests are encouraged to check the current operating calendar before visiting, as hours and schedules may vary throughout the year. 

Where can I eat Lunch at the Center?

Enjoy lunch at our Hukilau All-You-Can-Eat Lunch from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm at the Gateway Restaurant. This all-you-can-eat lunch features a selection of island-inspired dishes and is designed as a quick and convenient dining option before exploring the Islands. You can purchase Hukilau All-You-Can-Eat Lunch tickets online or stop by the Ticketing Office upon arrival. 

You may also vist the Hukilau Marketplace Food Trucks and kiosks which are open from 11:00 am to 8:30 pm.

You may eat at Pounders Restaurant in the Hukilau Marketplace which provides indoor seating with or without reservations.

There are also snack shops within the Island areas; open 1:00 pm to 5:30 pm.

Are there food options in the Islands? 

There are also snack shops located throughout the Island Villages. Hours vary by location, with food and beverage options available between 12:30 pm and 5:00 pm. See the list below for individual locations and operating hours:

ʻĀkau Landing (Hawaiʻi Village)
1:00 pm  – 4:30 pm

Samoa Snack Shack (Samoa Village):
12:30 pm – 5:00 pm

Fale Niu Snacks (Samoa Village):
12:45 pm - 5:00 pm

Tonga Snack Shack (Tonga Village):
12:30 pm  – 5:00 pm

Kiwi Grill (Aotearoa Village):
1:00 pm  – 4:30 pm

Calamansi Drink Stand (Tonga Village):
1:00 pm  – 4:30 pm

Additional Food options are available at the Hukilau Marketplace 11:00 am to 7:30 pm, eat at Pounders Restaurant, or one of our food trucks and kiosks.  

What hours is Pounders Restaurant open? 

Monday – Tuesday: 11:00 am – 8:30 pm

Wednesday: 11:00 am – 1:30 pm

Thursday – Saturday: 11:00 – 8:30 pm

Closed Sundays, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. 

Are reservations required for Pounders Restaurant?  

No, reservations are not required, but if you are bringing a group larger than 6, reservations are recommended. Please call: (808) 500-5760. 

What can I expect from an Island Experience?  

The Island experience begins in the courtyard just inside the Welcome Center (the central building with the very high-pitched roof), and continues throughout the afternoon until time for the evening meal (lūʻau, buffet, or free choice options). The schedule is as follows:

12:00 pm — Welcome Center is open. Guests can check in and/or pick up tickets and enter the Center, but admission to the Islands has not started. You may stay in the courtyard or visit the Hukilau Marketplace - at the south end of the Center, just outside the bounds of the Islands area. (You can go back and forth between the Center and the Hukilau Marketplace as much as you like throughout the day.) 

12:15 pm — Islands of Polynesia entrance opens. Guests can begin entering the Islands. Some like to use this time to choose their seating at the lagoon for the  Huki: A Canoe Celebration.

12:30 pm — Cultural presentations begin across all six islands. 

12:50 pm —  Huki: A Canoe Celebration Pre-show. Held along the lagoon before the main production, the Huki Pre-Show offers an interactive and engaging introduction to the themes and storyline of the  Huki: A Canoe Celebration. Also, at 12:30, the islands open for hands-on activities. 

1:00 pm – 1:20 pm — Huki: A Canoe Celebration.  A colorful extravaganza presented by our performers, dancing on canoes as they float up and down the lagoon. This is an introduction to all the islands you will see throughout the day, giving you a little bit of history and the energy of each one.  

1:20 pm —Islands continue according to the published schedule throughout the afternoon. Some of the offerings are:  

• • Hula lesson and other cultural dances
  • Warrior training games 
  • Food demonstrations 
  • Weaving projects 
  • Fire making activity 
  • Fishing 
  • Spear Throwing
  • ʻUkulele lessons 

There are a lot more! You choose the ones that interest you. 

The last round of activities concludes by 5:30 pm to give everyone plenty of time to relax and enjoy the lūʻau, the buffet, or other food options before HĀ: Breath of Life comes on stage at 7:30 pm. 

Also available (all free): 

• Canoe rides: Our canoe guides take you on a trip the full length of the lagoon, telling stories and creating fun along the way. Stations at both ends of the lagoon allow you to go either direction. The trip is about 15 minutes one way. 
• • Hema Landing (south), 1:20 pm – 5:00 pm 
  • ʻĀkau Landing (north), 1:40 pm – 5:30 pm 
• Iosepa Learning Center: See active voyaging canoe of a traditional Hawaiian double-hulled canoe and learn some skill associated with the ancient art of wayfinding. 12:30 pm – 5:30 pm
• Hawaiian Journey Theater: Watch a 12-minute movie, every 30 minutes, 1:30 pm – 6:30 pm (last show out in time for HĀ: Breath of Life)
• Lāʻie Tour: Board the tram to see and hear the history of Lāʻie and Brigham Young University- Hawaiʻi. Includes a 15-minute stop at the beautiful Visitors’ Center and temple grounds of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Trams leave every 20 minutes, 3:00 pm – 6:40 pm, for an experience lasting about 35 minutes. (The last tour does not pause as long at the Visitors’ Center, so that guests can be back in time for HĀ: Breath of Life.) 

You may opt for a ticket that provides a guide, or wander at will throughout your stay. If you can’t get it all done in one day, you can come back for the next 3 consecutive business days* to tour the Islands, do more activities, and try more food. 

* The 3-day return visit applies to activities in the Islands only—not to HĀ: Breath of Life, lūʻau, or buffet dining. Those options would have to be purchased separately.The return visit also does not include a guide or transportation. If you need transportation or would like to add any other items to your reservation, please call our call center at 1-800-367-7060 and have your ticket number ready.

Can I get to the Hawaiʻi LDS Temple from the Polynesian Cultural Center?  

The Polynesian Cultural Center offers a tram service to the temple. The tram tours begin at 3:00 pm and run on a 20-minute schedule until 7:00 pm. The tram tours allow for a 15-minute stop at the Temple Visitor Center except the last tram leaves at 6:40 pm, does not stop at the temple, and returns to the center by 7:00 pm. 

What is in the Hukilau Marketplace?  

The Hukilau Marketplace is open Monday–Saturday from 11:00 am – 9:00 pm. 
Closed Sundays, Wednesdays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. However, the Hukilau Marketplace is open on Wednesdays when the Polynesian Cultural Center is operating on Wednesdays. Please refer to the Center’s hours of operation for Wednesday availability.

The Hukilau Marketplace (at the south end of the Center, just outside the bounds of the Islands area) also serves as the entry point for guests attending the Hukilau Signature Lunch Buffet, available from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm. Hukilau Signature Lunch Buffet guests may enter through the Hukilau Marketplace gates beginning at 10:45 am.

Some of the food vendors have morning hours, so they are the first to open. Some also stay open a little later than the majority. Check out their listings for complete details. The stores in the Hukilau Marketplace are open until 7:30 pm. The Marketplace general area remains open until 9:00 pm, allowing guests to depart after HĀ: Breath of Life. The gates close after all guests have left from the HĀ: Breath of Life show. 

What time does the HĀ: Breath of Life show begin? 

Seating begins at 7:00 pm. The show runs from 7:30 pm to 8:45 pm

All seats are reserved. Advance reservations are highly recommended. If you have not reserved seats before your visit to the Center, you may be able to purchase tickets while you are here, depending upon availability. Check with the Reservations agents. 

Video recording and photography during the show is prohibited.  

How do I get tickets for only the HĀ: Breath of Life show?  

You cannot order tickets for just HĀ online. You must call Ticketing +1-808-367-7060: select option 1. If you are in the Center, you can talk to a Reservations agent. Individual ticket sales are subject to availability. 

What hours is the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame open?  

The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame is temporarily closed until further notice. 

12:00 pm – 7:00 pm  on days when the Center is open (typically closed Sundays and Wednesdays). 

What is the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame?  

The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame honors Polynesian players, coaches, and contributors who have made their marks in the NFL. The Hall of Fame Gallery incorporates Polynesian architectural design to highlight the heritage of the featured honorees. Lava stones, koa and ohia wood, and traditional fabrics surround photos and memorabilia. An interactive display helps connect the guests to the inductees. The permanent exhibit is on the south end of the Welcome Center. Admission and parking are FREE.  

1. Package Dining Experiences

• Ali‘i Lū‘au (included with the Super Ambassador package, the Aliʻi Lūʻau package or the Lūʻau & HĀ: Breath of Life Show package)
• Gateway Buffet (included with the Gateway Buffet package)

2. Hukilau All You Can Eat Lunch

• Available daily: 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
• Available as a standalone purchase (no park admission required)
• For full details, please visit:  https://www.polynesia.com/hukilau-lunch-buffet 

3. Hukilau Marketplace (at the south end of the Center, just outside the bound of the Islands area - also open to public)

• Pounders Restaurant (full-service dining)
• Food trucks
• Market vendors
• Marketplace hours: 11:00 am – 7:30 pm (extended hours may vary)

Marketplace Vendor Listings: https://hukilaumarketplace.com/eat/

4. Islands of Polynesia Area:

Snack Shacks available at:

• ʻĀkau Landing (Island of Hawaiʻi/Iosepa Learning Center)
• Island of Samoa
• Island of Tonga
• Island of Aotearoa
• Island of Tahiti