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Serving as a Senior PCC Missionary or Volunteer

Many people are familiar with the sight of young missionary representatives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (popularly called the Mormons), which founded Brigham Young University Hawaii in Laie, Oahu, in 1955 and the adjacent Polynesian Cultural Center in 1963.

There are thousands of Latter-day Saint missionaries serving in over 170 countries around the world. They normally work in pairs, the young men wearing dark suits and ties (or white shirts and ties in warmer climates) and the young women dressing modestly all the time. Some may be seen riding bicycles between appointments.

They serve voluntarily at their own (or family's) expense, the men for two years and the women for 18 months. Depending on where they serve, they may have to learn another language. They usually spend a half-day a week taking care of personal affairs, including laundry and letter-writing, and another half-day rendering organized community service. The rest of the time they attempt to share their beliefs with those who wish to listen.

"Senior missionaries"

You may be less familiar, however, with the Church's program for "senior missionaries" -- older, retired couples and individuals who also serve voluntarily (i.e. non-paid) at their own expense around the world for periods ranging from six months to two years. Like their younger counterparts, there are thousands of senior Latter-day Saint missionaries currently serving.

Some teach and share their Latter-day Saint beliefs, but many are more appropriately called "service missionaries" because they lend their professional expertise and work experience to a wide variety of Church-affiliated activities, including health care, retired military relations, auditing, education, family history (or genealogy), security, farm management, music, materials management, physical facilities and construction, public affairs, temples, family services, humanitarian services, employment resources, and welfare.

Unlike their younger counterparts, senior service missionaries usually have assigned responsibilities and schedules, with days off in which they are free to enjoy themselves and pursue personal activities.

Senior Missionaries at PCC

There are currently over 30 full-time Latter-day Saint service missionaries at the Polynesian Cultural Center. They are involved in helping with:

There are also about 24 "educational missionaries" and volunteers serving at BYU-Hawaii. For example retired professors teach classes, while others work as administrators, counselors, career placement, office and in other staff positions. There are also service missionaries at the Laie Hawaii Temple, the Laie Hawaii Temple Visitors Center, and the Laie Family History Center. For a list of most of the service missionaries and volunteers in Laie...

A tremendous contribution, a rich heritage

In short, LDS service missionaries make a tremendous contribution wherever they are assigned.

"They add an immense value here at the Polynesian Cultural Center," says President & CEO Von D. Orgill. "These faithful men and women have left behind comfortable retirement and homes, children and grandchildren, so they can come at their own expense and freely share their time and talents with us."

"Is it a sacrifice? Of course, but all of them feel like they've gained much more in return," President Orgill continues. "For example, Polynesians in general revere their kupuna or elders, so our senior missionaries quickly become important members of our larger, extended family and are enveloped in the aloha spirit of our young employees. They often become mentors to these young people, plus they enjoy each other's company and at least weekly meet with all the other senior missionaries in the area."

"Our current service missionaries are continuing a rich tradition at the Polynesian Cultural Center, that started in the South Pacific in the 1950s when our Church called 'labor missionaries' to help build chapels, schools and temples. LDS labor missionaries from throughout the Pacific and the U.S. mainland built BYU-Hawaii [which was called Church College of Hawaii from 1955-74] in two phases from 1955-1961, and then went on to build the Polynesian Cultural Center, which opened in October 1963. Many community members also volunteered their time to help build the PCC."

"We love our service missionaries and warmly appreciate all they do. Many of them tell me they feel this love every day while they're with us, so I know it's a special time and opportunity for them to serve here," President Orgill says. "We're very grateful for all they bring."

Current PCC service missionaries

LDS service missionaries currently at the Polynesian Cultural Center include:

Elder David and Sister Bonnie Adams From St. George, Utah. They are assigned to the Hawaii Mission Settlement. Elder Adams recently retired after more than 40 years in his own real estate, construction and property management company. He also spent five years serving in the Utah governor's cabinet. Sister Adams worked in the family business and has been a homemaker.
Elder Larry and Sister Nancy Briscoe From Huntington Beach, California. He is assigned to Maintenance and she divides her time between Physical Facilities and the Hawaii Mission Settlement. Elder Briscoe, who first visited the PCC when his grandfather was helping to build it, recently retired as a plumber.
Elder Gil and Sister Sherrie Craig From Ogden, Utah. He is assigned to in-Center marketing, and she divides her time between the administrative offices and the Hawaii Mission Settlement. The Craigs, owners of the international Taco Maker, Inc. Mexican fast food chain, retired in 2006. In addition to working in the family business, Sister Craig was a homemaker to their six children.
Elder Earl and Sister Shirley Denos From Mission Viejo, California. Elder Denos, a retired physical facilities capital needs analyst, who subsequently worked part-time in Dana Point sports fishing, is assigned to the PCC's Physical Facilities area; and Sister Denos, a homemaker, divides her time between the Executive and Food Services offices. They previously served a mission in the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Elder Gary and Sister Maren Dixon From Brigham City, Utah. They are assigned to Human Resources. A chemist by degree, Elder Dixon recently retired as a rocket scientist working on  NASA space shuttle quality engineering. Sister Dixon was primarily a homemaker, but she also worked in office management and accounting-related fields.
Elder Roger and Sister Beverly Eggett From Bountiful, Utah. He is assigned to Physical Facilities as a carpenter, and she works in the Hawaii Mission Settlement. Elder Eggett worked for 41 years at the Salt Lake City International Airport as a construction manager, and in addition to homemaking, Sister Eggett worked in teaching, hospitality and at the Utah State Legislature.
Elder George and Sister Lynne Florence From Caldwell, Idaho. Elder Florence is a small engines repair specialist assigned to the Motor Pool, who taught trade and industrial arts at the high school and university level. Sister Florence, who divides her time between Guest Services and the Hawaii Mission Settlement, previously owned wall covering and wedding decor businesses.
Elder John and Sister Carol Hansen From Bluffdale, Utah (near Salt Lake City). The couple is assigned to the Hawaii Mission Settlement. Elder Hansen and Sister Hansen are both retired from Latter-day Saint Physical Facilities work. They previously served a one-year records preservation mission in Alabama, and he also served as a young man in southern Australia.
Elder Boyd and Sister Elaine Hobbs From Franklin, Idaho. They are assigned to the Warehouse. The couple ran a family mink ranch and farm for many years, and previously owned a share in a Laie-based vacation home which brought them to the PCC over 20 times. They said they're glad they can now stay longer than two weeks.
Elder Jeffrey and Sister Joan McDonald From Huntington Beach, California. Elder McDonald is assigned to Maintenance and she divides her time between teaching English to international students at BYU-Hawaii and the Hawaii Mission Settlement. Before retiring, Elder McDonald worked in construction, and Sister McDonald was an elementary school teacher for 30 years.
Elder Warren and Sister Delia Naillon From Clatskanie, Oregon. Elder Naillon is assigned to Physical Facilities maintenance, and Sister Naillon is at the Hawaii Mission Settlement. The couple have volunteer to serve for 12 months. This is their first mission.
Elder Delbert and Sister Sharlene Nebeker From San Diego, California. Elder Nebeker served in Quality Assurance, and Sister Nebeker is in the Business Office. He recently retired as a professor of industrial psychology, and she worked as an elementary school teacher's aid and also in retail book sales. This is their first mission together, but he previously served in New Zealand as a young man.
Elder Steven and Sister Linda Ord From Cottage Grove, Oregon. He works in accounting, and she divides her time between Wardrobe and the Hawaii Mission Settlement. Elder Ord has primarily worked in the health care industry, the last seven years as a CFO before retiring in 2008.
Elder Stephen and Sister Cynthia Pulley From Idaho Falls, Idaho. Both are assigned to serve in the Hawaii Mission Settlement. Elder Pulley retired about four years ago after working for the U.S. Department of Energy for 35 years as an accountant. He served in the French East Mission as a young man. In addition to being a homemaker, Sister Pulley recently taught Title I elementary education for 10 years.
Elder Robert and Sister Vickie Remund From Midway, Utah. Elder Remund works with air conditioning and refrigeration, and Sister Remund divides her time between the Islands Office and First Aid. He retired five years ago after working at BYU in auxiliary maintenance for 40 years, and she retired as a surgery and home care nurse. They served a senior mission at Temple Square in Salt Lake City before coming to the PCC.
Elder Kenneth and Sister Deena Rex From Bellflower, California. Elder Rex serves in Physical Facilities, and Sister Rex — who is part-Hawaiian — divides her time between the Islands Office in the morning, and the Hawaii Mission Settlement in the afternoon. He retired about three years ago as a general contractor; she owned a florist business for 15 years and was a homemaker.
Elder Donald and Sister Leah Rieske From Orem, Utah. He is assigned to Safety Compliance and she works in Human Resources. Elder Rieske retired recently as a fire department battalion chief after more than 30 years. Sister Rieske has primarily been a homemaker and recently worked for BYU Bookstore for eight years. He served a mission as a young man in Great Britain.

Current PCC Service Volunteers

In addition to the fulltime service missionaries, the following volunteers are currently serving at the PCC:

• John and Tillie Andrade from Laie: They both serve at the Hale Aloha Ali'i Luau
  
• Keawe and Milly Enos from Laie: They are assigned to the Alii Luau, and Keawe also assists the carvers.

• Larry and Ronnell Jones from Monroe, Utah: They are assigned to the Physical Plant 
• Earl and Lily Kahalahili from Kailua: They are assigned to the Hawaii Mission Settlement
• Stuart and Emily Wolthuis from Makakilo: They are assigned to the Hawaii Mission Settlement

Current Openings for Service Missionaries at PCC

Openings for voluntary (non-paid) service missionaries at the Polynesian Cultural Center change from time to time. If you're interested, but don't see anything that fits your qualifications, you may want to check this site occasionally, or contact: John Muaina, Vice President of Human Resource, who coordinates the missionary efforts, phone 808-293-3005.

We currently have no openings: When openings exist, the spouse will be assigned to clerical or hosting duties at the PCC. The service period for each position is 12-18 months. Living expenses per couple are estimated between $2,000-$2,500 per month.

Missionary Archives

For information on missionaries who have completed their service with PCC, please visit our missionary archives.

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How else can I help?

First, everyone who purchases an admission and show or meal ticket, or anything from our online gift shop, is already helping the Polynesian Cultural Center fulfill our nonprofit purposes of supporting educational opportunities for students at Brigham Young University Hawaii.

Besides being a full-time service missionary, there are also several other possible ways you can help:

Full-time and/or Part-time "Volunteers"

In addition to full-time service missionaries, a number of LDS couples and single women serve at the PCC (or BYU-Hawaii) as either full-time or part-time "volunteers" (and are technically labeled as such, even though all service and other missionaries as well as "volunteers" voluntarily give their time and serve at no pay). While these volunteers are locally treated the same as service missionaries, there are several important distinctions:

If you have particular skills you are willing to share, and you are interested in possibly becoming a "volunteer" at the Polynesian Cultural Center, contact: Leslie Steward, Assistant to the President and Missionary Coordinator, ph. 808-293-3021, for further information.

Make a Financial Contribution

Please consider making a financial contribution of any size to the Polynesian Cultural Center, The PCC is U.S. nonprofit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt institution, and those who file U.S. income tax returns may claim charitable deductions to the Center.

LDS Philanthropies is the LDS Church-affiliated organization that oversees collecting contributions to both the Polynesian Cultural Center and Brigham Young University Hawaii. You can make a contribution online, or work with their staff on special arrangements or programmed giving.

Word-of-Mouth Promotion

If you have enjoyed the Polynesian Cultural Center experience, please recommend us to your friends and relatives who might be planning a vacation to Hawaii. Mahalo (thanks).

Additional information