Island Villages

What does the day experience include? 

Step inside our gates and enter a world of discovery and adventure. As you visit each village, immerse yourself in their distinct and beautiful culture. Meet the people, taste the food, play, sing and dance. See why our guests call this the “best cultural experience on the island”. You will watch cultural presentation for each island, practice hula dancing, tiki stick games, weave palm fronds, make fires, learn the poi weapons, and create tattoos.

What happens if it rains? 

In the event of inclement weather, events and indoor shows will continue to operate, including all Island presentations, the Aliʻi Lūʻau, Gateway Buffet and the HĀ: Breath of Life evening show. For the safety and comfort of our guests and staff, some outdoor events and presentations may temporarily close until weather improves and it is safe to resume activities.

What do I experience in the Hawaiʻi island? 

Your time in our host village will introduce you to a people rich in tradition, art and a love of the Earth. Hawaiians are master story tellers, eager to share not only the beauty of their islands, but the beauty of their culture as well. Try hula dancing, the loop and ball game, Hawaiian bowling and more. Come and be enchanted!

What do I experience in the Aotearoa island? 

Aotearoa (The Land of the Long White Cloud) is the home of the Māori, the indigenous people of New Zealand, known for their elaborately carved meeting houses, musical harmonies, and dance, including, the awe-inspiring Haka chant. Your visit to Aotearoa will inspire and strengthen your awareness and appreciation for family, past and present.

What do I experience in the Fiji island? 

Fijians may be most famous for their skills in battle, but this is only part of their story. They are also fine singers and makers of clay pottery. A visit to the Fijian Village is an engaging learning and participating experience. 

What do I experience in the Samoa island? 

Fun-spirited and with a love for life, the Samoans are known throughout Polynesia as the “happy people”. Samoans are famous for both their cooking skills and their breath-taking fire knife dances. Your visit to this village will be filled with laughter and excitement.

What do I experience in the Tahiti island? 

You will learn about the Tahiti wedding ceremony, dance movements and what they mean, fishing, and cooking skills. 

What do I experience in the Tonga island? 

The beat of the drum calls you before you even arrive to the village of Tonga. Whether throwing spears, paddling canoes or watching the action-packed Tongan drum presentation, your visit will be filled with laughter and fun.

What do I learn in the Rapa Nui island?

This island exhibit in the center of our villages features seven hand-carved Māori or stone statues created onsite by artisans from Rapa Nui.

What do I learn in the Mission Settlement?

Every day from noon to 5:30 pm. The 1850s Hawaiian Mission Settlement is comprised of a small non-denominational chapel, complete with a pulpit and a newly refurbished antique foot-pump organ, an open-sided Polynesian-style school house representing the considerable contributions of early Christian missionaries in western-style educational programs and a rock-walled missionary home with a wide lanai (shaded veranda) circling the building which features many handmade and quilted items for sale. The settlement offers free lessons in Polynesian weaving, ukulele playing and a fascinating history of early Christian missionaries on the Islands.

What do I at the Huki: A Canoe Celebration?

Every day at 12:40 p.m. The Polynesian Cultural Center holds a one-of-a-kind pageant on the water! Watch as each island puts on a beautiful representation of their dance and music on large, double-hulled, platform canoes as you watch from various viewing areas along the lagoon.

What do Canoe Tours include? 

Don’t know where to go first? Jump onto one of our 20 seat canoes and have a personalized tour of our 16-acre facility via our beautiful lagoon. Or catch a ride sometime during the day, while you relax and let someone else do the work, namely one of our strong and knowledgeable canoe paddlers.

What is the Iosepa? 

At the centerpiece of the Iosepa: Voyage of Discovery display is the Iosepa, an all-wood, double-hulled Hawaiian voyaging canoe, originally carved and launched in Lā‘ie, Hawai‘i. Daily interactive activities are coupled with videos explaining the construction, purpose and history of the Iosepa and the ancient Hawaiian sailing ships it is modeled after.

Should I make time for the movie? 

Yes. Relax, enjoy the air conditioning, and watch the show! With an exterior depicting a dormant volcano, Hawaiian Journey is a 12-minute immersive cinematic experience, projected on one of the largest screens in the state. The journey transports guests into the gorgeous imagery on screen as they experience crashing waves, mystic valleys and powerful eruptions through interactive special effects that engage their senses.

Is the tram tour free and what does it include?

The tram tour is free and includes tour through Brigham Young University – Hawaiʻi and the town of Lāʻie on your way to the Lāʻie Hawaiʻi Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, all located near the Polynesian Cultural Center. 

The escorted tours leave the Center every 20 minutes between 3:05 – 6:40 p.m. and lasts 35 minutes. Learn about the BYU-Hawaiʻi mission to support, educate and enrich students from more than 70 countries. BYU-H provides the majority of Polynesian Cultural Center employees and adds to the cultural diversity of the community. As the tour proceeds, the escort will recount the unique history of Lāʻie through its history of entertaining visitors since their first commercial hukilau — a traditional fishing festival and lūʻau — almost 60 years ago. You will then have a 20-minute stop at Laʻie Hawaiʻi Temple Visitors Center where you are welcome to stroll the beautiful temple grounds with its magnificent fountains, turn of the century architecture, and lush landscaping. The serene and beautiful Visitors Center features a ten-foot marble replica of Thorvaldsen’s famous Christus sculpture as well as special displays and exhibits explaining the basic beliefs of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints including the blessings of temples within their faith.

*Please note, shuttle seating can be limited. All tram passengers are asked to de-board at the temple grounds so that waiting passengers can re-board for their trip back to the Polynesian Cultural Center.