Powerful Polynesian symbolism you can se...

  Polynesians use symbols to represent ideas, emotions, states of mind, phrases, movements, memories, loved ones and much more. The symbols can be embodied in words, names, carvings, lei, designs, dance, music, and so on. Hawaiians say many such representations have kaona, expressions with deeper meanings, concealed references or inuendos. The kaona might be beautiful or romantic, others sarcastic or pejorative. Many might appreciate an island song for its surface meaning, not realizing those who understand the kaona get a different meaning from the metaphorical...

Presidents Council Achieving Results at ...

  Leadership by the numbers Imagine an organization dedicated to portraying the best of ancient cultures in a modern environment. Add in executive leadership who must thoroughly understand both sides of that equation, and you begin to define the Polynesian Cultural Center’s seven-person President’s Council: They cumulatively tally an impressive 150-plus years of experience at the Center. All are college graduates, five from Brigham Young University-Hawaii. Five represent the cultures of Tonga, Samoa, Aotearoa and Fiji. All have strong ties to Polynesia. Five...

Carver inspired to share Polynesian carv...

      Doug Christy, a 37-year veteran Maori wood carver for the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) in Laie, Hawaii, learned his craft from his father, who also worked at the PCC for many years. Now he and the other senior carvers at the Center teach those same skills to a new generation of student workers. Christy explained that before hiring any of them, the department manager and senior carvers usually meet first with new student worker applicants to determine if they have the potential to learn carving. One thing stood out to Christy. He said, “For the...

Doug Christy carries on father’s wood ca...

      Doug Christy, a Maori carver at the Polynesian Cultural Center for the past 37 years, is continuing the legacy of his father, the late Epanaia Whaanga Christy. The senior Christy, or “Uncle Barney”, worked at the Center until just a few months before he passed away at age 83 in 2004. Master carver ‘Uncle Barney’ Christy Uncle Barney was already a skilled carver in New Zealand in the early 1960s when he joined the team that created the original carvings for the PCC’s Maori Village. Doug, who was born about that time in Hamilton,...

13 kids’ activities for the whole ...

        For those of you with kids, planning out a vacation can be stressful. We feel you! At the Polynesian Cultural Center, we try to make sure that every member of our ‘ohana (family) is taken care of. Out of the many activities and shows at the Polynesian Cultural Center, we know what’s fun for your keiki (kids). We gladly offer suggestions to entertain and educate both adults and their little ones:   1. Learn dancing in Hawaii and Tahiti If you and your kids are inspired to learn Polynesian dancing, Hawaii and Tahiti have short lessons to...

2019 inductees enshrined in Polynesian F...

    The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame (PFHOF) enshrined the Class of 2019 in their permanent display at the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) on January 19, 2019 and recognized several other honorees. PCC president and CEO Alfred Grace welcomed all the honorees to the Center and pointed out our partnership with the PFHOF has been a natural fit since the inaugural Class of 2014. “Congratulations to all of you,” he said. “In acknowledging you, I acknowledge all of our Polynesian people who excel in every worthy endeavor they take on. “For 55 years we...

Tua Tagovailoa honors his Polynesian roo...

      The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame honored University of Alabama national championship sophomore quarterback Tua Tagovailoa as the College Football Player of the Year during the annual enshrinement program at the Polynesian Cultural Center on January 19, 2019. The young Samoan quarterback from Ewa Beach, Oahu  has already accumulated an impressive record of football achievements, including leading the St. Louis High School Crusaders to the Hawaii state football championship over nearby Kahuku High a few years earlier before reporting to the Crimson...

PCC, PFHOF to honor Class of 2019

Sign up for our Polynesian Cultural Center newsletters:  Email Sign Up     As we have since the inaugural Class of 2014, the Polynesian Cultural Center is partnering with the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame on January 19 to honor: The Class of 2019, The 2018 Pro Player of the Year, The 2018 Kupono award for Excellence The 2018 College Football Player of the Year, And the 2018 High School Football Player of the Year.   Meet the Class of 2019 After a lengthy selection process, the PFHOF announced its Class of 2019 inductees chosen from a list of 12...