Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu
The Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) is located in the North Shore of Oahu in the little town of Laie. The PCC on Oahu is about an hour drive, 38 miles (60 kilometers) away from Waikiki. It is one of Oahu’s main attractions, drawing nearly one million visitors every year.
The purpose of the PCC is to show tourists the different cultures in Polynesia. Polynesia is a subregion of Oceania with more than 1,000 islands scattered all over the Pacific Ocean.
The Polynesian Cultural Center is a 42-acre theme park, owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It first opened in 1963, mainly for students at the adjacent Brigham Young University Hawaii, to raise money for their education. With every ticket sold, the guests of the PCC help to pay for the students education.
3 Things you MUST do at the Polynesian Cultural Center
Want to know our TOP 3 things that you MUST do while at the PCC? Watch our short Video!
What to expect at the PCC
The PCC has six different islands and villages to explore:
The Village of Hawaii
In the Hawaiian Village, you can have hula lessons, taste freshly prepared poi and discover the art of tapa weaving.
The Village of Fiji
Fijian warriors greet you while women entertain you with a traditional dance. In the Fijian Village, you can learn how to make coconut oil, get a temporary tattoo and see a six story-high temple.
The Village of Aotearoa (New Zealand)
In this village, you will experience the power of love within a family. You can watch the Haka, a Maori war dance and see how skilled artisans carve some weapons.
The Village of Samoa
The people of Samoa know how to have fun and if you like to laugh a lot, this is the place to be. You will also learn how to crack open a coconut using a small rock and watch young men climbing up a 50-foot coconut trees. Here, you can also learn how to twirl a fire knife, weave a fish and cook bananas.
The Village of Tahiti
Don’t miss the special wedding ceremony at the Tahitian village, where you can also eat coconut bread. In this village, you can try to catch a fish from a little pier as well as throwing a spear at a coconut. After that, you can visit the marae, a holy Tahitian temple
The Village of Tonga
At the Tongan village, you can paddle a canoe like the islanders used to do centuries ago, play the Tongan shuffleboard game, called lafo and test your skills throwing spears.
Polynesian Cultural Center Opening Hours
The PCC is open Monday through Saturday from 11:45am to 9pm and closed on Sundays, Christmas and Thanksgiving Day.
However, you can visit the island villages only from noon until 5:30pm because that’s when the award-winning Ali’i Luau dinner starts, followed by an amazing evening show, “Ha: Breath of Life,” which runs from 7:30 to 9pm.
Night Show at the Polynesian Cultural Center – Ha, Breath of Life
Over 100 Polynesian dancers with blazing fire knives along with traditional music tell you the Pacific island saga of Mana and his beloved Lani – a story about birth, death, love, family, tragedy and triumph. This 90-minute, world-famous, award-winning show is definitely an unforgettable experience.
The show and entrance fees to the villages are $67 and for kids $54, including the Luau dinner the fees are $119 and for kids $95.
Please note: There is no alcohol served or allowed on the premises at the PCC.