29th Annual Moanikeala coming Sept. 2-7,...

Come join us September 3 – 7, 2019 for the 29th Annual Moanikeala Hula Festival. Enjoy a week-long celebration, to perpetuate Hawaii’s Culture, Language, Art, and Practices through workshops, concerts and activities dedicated to the memory of Aunty Sally Moanikeala Woods.   2019 brings expansion to the Moanikeala 2019 is the beginning of a new format, which continues the grand tradition of the Moanikeala event, bringing the highest caliber of hula performance to the stage. The extended week-long festivities include daily hula, ukulele and Nihau shell lei...

Why Mauna Kea protectors are supported b...

Many of our visitors wonder what the Ku Kia’i Mauna demonstrations on Mauna Kea are about and what the Polynesian Cultural Center’s position is on this issue. President and CEO Alfred Grace met with PCC employees on July 25, 2019, in the Hawaiian Journey Theater to explain why the Center is supporting Hawaiians who are currently and peacefully demonstrating near the summit of Mauna Kea against building a new 30-meter astronomical telescope there. Because of the significance of this issue, the Center’s Ha: Breath of Life (night show) cast members share a brief...

5 ways to keep cool at the Polynesian Cu...

We’ve all been there – running for the shade and trying to avoid the endless summer heat while vacationing, struggling to enjoy the sights while steering clear of the sun’s piercing rays. However, there’s no reason to let the high temperatures stop you from making the most of your visit to the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) and the opportunity to explore the rich heritage of the Pacific Islands. Here are five tips to beat the heat while on your trip to one of Hawai’i’s most popular attractions:   1. Dress to the Nines (and for 90 °F weather)    ...

Tongan proverbs shows family devotion

Throughout history people all over the world have used proverbs — a general statement of truth or advice drawn from observations of surroundings or actions. For example, one of the best-known English-language proverbs, “a picture is worth a thousand words,” means images usually help a person understand emotions and/or messages better than written or spoken explanations. Well, it turns out Polynesians also particularly love proverbs using their own respective languages and references. Here is an example from Tonga that you might find interesting: Tonga: ‘The almond tree...

Top 5 North Shore Hikes on Oahu

Looking for a great way to burn some calories before spending the day at the Polynesian Cultural Center? The North Shore of Oahu provides amazing trails that allow you to see the beautiful island and sneak another delicious açaí bowl or serving of kalua pork. From breathtaking waterfalls, sprawling forests, and rugged mountain ranges, the island of Oahu is home to breathtaking natural scenery and well-kept hiking trails. Because of its unique geographic location, the famed North Shore of Oahu hosts a diversity of flora and fauna entirely unique to this corner of the...

The Polynesian Cultural Center’s most sy...

The Maori whare tupuna or ancestral meeting house that dominates the Aotearoa Village is perhaps the most symbolic structure in the entire Polynesian Cultural Center. ‘These buildings memorialize great leaders’ Kim Makekau, Aotearoa Village manager, recently explained several key points he hopes all Polynesian Cultural Center visitors learn about the whare tupuna: ■ “Each ancestral meeting house, in the main, is named after a significant common ancestor of that particular tribal area. That’s where you want to start from. These buildings memorialize great leaders. Their...

Hawai’i students keep Samoan tradi...

  ‘We Are Samoa’  Hundreds of Hawai’i high school students practiced for months to learn traditional Samoan customs, songs, dances and household chores so they could share them with several thousand parents and fans on Saturday, May 11, 2019, during the Polynesian Cultural Center’s 27th annual We Are Samoa festival. The festival is held each year in conjunction with the PCC’s World Fireknife Championships, which has its own tradition of being a don’t-miss event. As in years past, the entire Pacific Theater was sold out. Many more people from around...

2019 Fireknife: Women, junior, and inter...

Along with the men’s championship, the Polynesian Cultural Center’s annual World Fireknife Championships includes three other divisions of competition — the women’s open, juniors (ages 6-11), and intermediates (ages 12-17), were held in conjunction with the We Are Samoa high school cultural arts festival. All these events were held this year from May 8-11, 2019, in La’ie, Hawaii. Here are the winners in the other three fireknife divisions: Congratulations to our 2019 women’s World Fireknife Champion Jeralee Galea’i of Laie, Oahu. Judges selected her as one of...