Mixed Feelings on This Top Hawaiian Attraction

• September 1, 2009
• Rated 2 of 5 by MilwVon from Milwaukee, Wisconsin

The Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) is often on the "must do" lists when you come to Hawaii, and especially for Honolulu and/or Oahu. Having been to this island a couple of times in the past and having never done it, we felt we owed it to ourselves to plan a day around exploring the PCC.

Without wanting to sound like a Hawaiian tourist snob, I must say that having been to Hawaii some six or eight times over the past decade, we felt this "top attraction" fell short of our expectations given all the hype it gets. It took me a while to figure out why, but once I did, it seemed more rationale than writing them off as just another tourist trap.

They will tell you that first and foremost, the PCC is here to further the studies and education on the cultures of the Polynesian Islands . . . six to be exact: Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, Tahiti, Hawaii and Aotearoa (I had never heard of that last one). The park is set up as islands divided by several water channels. The effect is quite nice and the grounds lush. Each island features cultural displays and demonstrations. Some are hands on, encouraging audience participation. Learn to shuck a coconut in Samoa or do the hula in Hawaii . . . you can also learn about more uses and cooking with coconuts in Tahiti.

In addition to the six islands, there are other cultural exhibits including several hand carved canoes. The most impressive is the Iosepa which was built here recently (2000) as part of their discovery and learning program. A large 56' double hulled canoe, the craftsmanship is exquisite. As you enter the exhibit area, there is a DVD on continuous play to show the building and first sail of this beautiful vessel.

The theme of six islands is also the backdrop to the "Rainbow of Paradise" canoe pageant. Each canoe tours through a viewing area, highlighting the music and dance of the various island people. Not unlike much of the show that you would see at a traditional luau, it was interesting and entertaining . . . providing a nice 30 minute break from the walk around the grounds.

Speaking of canoes, if you would like to take a ride from one end of the park to the other, they do this via 25 person canoes. It is a nice way to see the various islands and get a good lay of the land. We rode to the far end and then enjoyed our leisurely stroll back to the main entrance area. Unfortunately, at least on our boat trip, the guides were full of cheesy lame jokes making it difficult to really enjoy the ride.

We also enjoyed the 50 minute IMAX feature movie "Coral Reef Adventure" which chronicles the studies of the reef in the South Pacific. The photography is wonderful and the film educational. While global warming is one of the contributing factors to the death of reefs around the world, it was nice to not have to hear that it is the sole cause for the problems in the ocean.

After a full afternoon of visiting the islands and seeing the shows of interest, we headed for our 5:00pm dinner at The Gateway. The buffet dinner was included in the admission package we purchased and wasn't much to write home about. There was a vast assortment of items to choose from, and it all had decent flavor. It just seemed that everything being served here was a notch below what diners would have enjoyed at the additional (optional) fee luau. An example is the fried chicken. Plenty of it and if you like thighs, you'd be very happy . . . but there were no other pieces offered . . . not even a drumstick or wing.

After dinner we decided to take the Laie Tram Tour, which was also included in our admission package. Billed as a 35 minute tour to the Brigham Young University - Hawaii campus and the Hawaiian temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (the Mormons), we felt that it was little more than an effort to proselytize to visitors. A big turn-off in my book, especially on vacation! The "tour" was given by two "sisters" of the church; young women who were providing service for an 18 month period as volunteers at the PCC.

It was on this tour that we learned that the number one reason that the PCC was created was to provide jobs for the students coming to Hawaii to study at BYU-Hawaii. I suppose creating an attraction that also serves the student body is a benevolent cause.

Our admission package also include the evening show "HA - The Breath of Life" which was scheduled for 7:30pm. By this time, however, we were tired and not really interested in a 90 minute story that furthered their agenda or possibly religious beliefs . . . so we opted out. Part of what played into our decision was the fact that while the marketing literature promotes the PCC as just 35 minutes from Honolulu, we found it to be just over an hour to where we were staying. I know Honolulu is a big place, so I suppose it depends on where you are coming from, but we were both too tired to stay for a show until 9:00pm and then have the hour plus drive back to Waikiki.

The PCC is really feeling the pinch of the US economy. While there seemed to be a lot of Japanese visitors, it seemed Americans were outnumbered 10:1. I had read somewhere that the attendance at the PCC was down some 30-50% and based on what we saw, I would believe it. The place really seemed empty when you think about it in the context of being the number one attraction on Oahu.

There are a number of tour companies that feature the Polynesian Cultural Center including Roberts Hawaii. You can also pick up tickets online, which is what we did. Our package including admissions to all activities, dinner at the Gateway Buffet and the show, was $60 per person. The package that excludes dinner is $45 and the first basic package that includes the luau is $88. More information on ticket package options may be found on their web site: http://www.polynesia.com/.

Here's my bottom line on this attraction . . .

If you have never been to Hawaii and may never come again, this is probably a "must do" attraction for you. It will provide you with the best overall cultural experience and education on the people of the islands. At $60 including the basic dinner buffet, the price provides good value.

If however, you have been to Hawaii before and taken in a luau or two in the past, you will probably find this attraction a bit remedial and not a very good value for your precious vacation time and money.

From journal Oahu - Enjoying Our Return

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Don't Miss This!

• February 23, 2009
• Rated 5 of 5 by laurienotscout from New York, New York

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WELL Worth the Money

• March 19, 2008
• Rated 5 of 5 by Konala3 from coppell, Texas

Bought the Super Ambassador package. If you're looking to save money, this is NOT the package for you. If you're looking for the absolute BEST package for your money, this is it! You get the best seats at all attractions and villages. You get your own personal tour guide. You get all kinds of freebies when you leave. Plus, you get free pictures (which can cost $15 a piece). The dining experience was first class. You can get in on the luau or you can have your own private dining experience. Seats at the Horizons show were first row and right in the middle section of the show area. Memories will last a lifetime with this. I advise anyone to visit and spend the money on the Super Ambassador package. It's well worth it!

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Polynesian Cultural Center

• May 4, 2007
• Rated 4 of 5 by AgedToPerfection from Irvine, California

When I last visited Oahu at age 7, I remember my mother wanting to visit the Polynesian Cultural Center. I wondered why we would want to go anywhere that wasn’t Disneyland. I am now the same age as my mother was way back then and I finally discovered what it was that she wanted to see. The Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) is run by Brigham Young University, Hawaii. The university students benefit from the center proceeds, and they also staff the park. In 2007, the PCC celebrates its 40th Anniversary.

Located on the east side of Oahu, the PCC opens at 11am, which seems late. However, this allowed us to explore the northeast part of the island beforehand. We made our way to the PCC by 2pm, and unfortunately, we did not have time to see the IMAX show, nor fully explore the park.

We purchased tickets for the Ali’i Luau package, which included seats to the Horizons show, the Ali’i Luau dinner, the IMAX show, and admission to all 7 villages in the PCC. Normally, tickets for this package run $80 per adult/$56 for children 3 to 12. But we saved 5% by booking online.

We strolled around the villages featuring cultures from Hawaii, the Marquesas, Fiji, Samoa, Aotearoa (Maori New Zealand), Tahiti, and Tonga. At the Aotearoan village, we learned how to twirl poi balls, (much harder than it looks). Afterward, we joined the interesting presentation in the Maori meeting house. In the Samoan village, we learned how to make firestarting-kindling out of rubbing two sticks (of the same wood) together very quickly.

Later in the afternoon, we sat along the banks of the river to watch the fascinating Rainbows of Paradise canoe pageant. Flat barges with a steerer, propelled the vessels out in front of us. Performers sang and danced as the barges glided past us. At one point, a livelier barge rocked back and forth, eventually toppling over its steerer and sending him splashing into the water.

After the show, we continued to explore the villages. We participated in a weaving class, where we made palm leaf fishes. This activity will delight children and the young at heart.

Finally, we caught a boat tour of the center. Starting at the dock by the Marquesas, we sailed past a few villages while our guide steered us along. For Japanese visitors, the PCC has boat tours conducted in Japanese. We disembarked by the PCC entrance, which fit in perfectly with our plans as we had to make our way to the Ali’i Luau for dinner.

As we reluctantly halted our tour of the PCC, I realized what attracted my mother to this place. An educational and entertaining park allowed us to immerse ourselves in the island cultures of Polynesia. What better way to enhance a vacation in Oahu, an island paradise in itself?

From journal A Haole Hanging in Oahu...With Locals

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Polynesian Cultural Center

• August 21, 2006
• Rated 4 of 5 by SarahQSpano from Dundas, Ontario

The Polynesian Cultural Centre is a strange but intriguing concept and is touted as Hawaii's most popular paid attraction.

It was founded in the '60s by the missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, who also found a nearby university, Bringham Young Hawaii. The Centre is almost like a theme park, with seven mock ‘villages’ set on 42 acres of lush landscaped parkland. About 80% of the employees of the Centre are from one of the seven Polynesian cultures represented (Hawaiian, Samoan, Tongan, Fijian, Tahitian, Marquesan, and Maori) and are working at the park to subsidize their schooling at the university.

We took a bus tour from Waikiki to the PCC (on the North Shore), which took about an hour and passed through the mountains and past some beautiful ocean views. Our ticket package included a Luau dinner and the Horizons evening show. There are many ticket options and packages available - the best bet is to check out the PCC's very informative website at http://www.polynesia.com.

Due to the late departure of our tour, we were only able to spend about 3 hours visiting all the villages and attending some of the cultural presentations that go on every hour. We saw the New Zealand presentation (which was about the Maori way of life and included song and dance, even the well-known haka performed by the All Black Rugby team), the Fiji presentation (about tribal Fijian village life, which included song and dance as well), and the Marquesas presentation (including a mock pig hunt and song and dance about the creation of the Marquesan Islands). To truly enjoy all of the villages and presentations, you'll require 5 to 6 hours, but it is definitely worth it.

At 5pm, it was time for the Luau – yes, the typical Hawaiian feast. We arrived and immediate got leid - with orchids, natch. Then it was on to the food and entertainment. Of course, because the PCC is run by Mormons, no alcohol (or even caffeinated beverages) is allowed, so it was decaf pop and Gatorade for everyone. The meal itself was fairly traditional and featured roasted pig and some small samples of some more ‘interesting’ Hawaiian dishes. During dinner, there was traditional Hawaiian songs and hula dancing. Overall, the Luau was good, but not excellent - not a "don't miss" experience.

After the Luau, we made our way over to the amphitheatre for the "Horizons" evening show – a 90-minute tribute to the Polynesian cultures represented at the PCC. Horizons showcases the music and dance of the various Polynesian cultures (including a spectacular finale featuring Hawaiian fire dancers!), and we thought it was excellent and thoroughly entertaining. Definitely worth the additional cost!

Overall, the Polynesian Cultural Center was an excellent way to spend the day, great for couples or families, and a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the warm, friendly, and beautiful Polynesian people.

From journal Hawaiian Interlude in Honolulu

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