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Thomas on Islands | profile | all galleries >> == Oahu Albums == >> Polynesian Cultural Center, Laie, Oahu tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Polynesian Cultural Center, Laie, Oahu

Polynesian Cultural Center, Laie, Oahu (Oct 2002, Aug 2009)
Polynesian Cultural Center was opened October 12, 1963 and is ever since a unique attraction for new and returning visitors alike. It is both admired and criticized (partly by native Hawaiians) for its commercialism. What successful organization doesn't face such criticism? Visit the Center and decide for yourself! We've been there 3 times and will go again. A recent addition is the Rapa Nui (Easter Island) exhibition. The Marquesas Show seem to be discontinued currently in year 2009. The village seem abandoned. It's a pity, we liked this show...

The Center is supported by the Mormon Church. Many performers are students from Brigham Young University in Laie. Even though some of the performers don't really come from the islands they represent, the Center provides a genuine connection to native Polynesian and Melanesian cultures.

There are fascinating exhibits, in-depth lectures, funny and educational "show and tells", and staff always willing to take the time to answer questions. Each culture has it's own "village" and it's absolutely worth your time to look at all of them. On our last visit we were most impressed by (and laughed the hardest at) the Samoan demonstration.

We recommend that you plan at least 2 visits to the Center. There's just too much to see and to do for one day (not to mention the incredible main show!). The admission price will let you come back within a few days. Prices vary depending on whether you include a Luau, and the main evening show called Horizons: Where the Sea Meets the Sky. We recommend to see both!




n8880 A sight of a paradise
n8880 A sight of a paradise
23C-16 Rainbows of Paradise Show
23C-16 "Rainbows of Paradise" Show
23C-17-Polynesian Pageant (Hawaii)
23C-17-Polynesian Pageant (Hawaii)
23C-18-Polynesian Pageant (Aotearoa)
23C-18-Polynesian Pageant (Aotearoa)
22C-28 Samoan Village
22C-28 Samoan Village
23C-25 Samoan Show
23C-25 Samoan Show
23C-19 Samoan Show
23C-19 Samoan Show
23C-20 Making Fire
23C-20 Making Fire
23C-21 Making Fire
23C-21 Making Fire
23C-23 See the flames?
23C-23 See the flames?
23C-24 Opening Coconut
23C-24 Opening Coconut
23C-26 Opening Coconut
23C-26 Opening Coconut
23C-27 Coco Milk
23C-27 Coco Milk
23C-28 Most hugged man on the planet
23C-28 Most hugged man on the planet
23C-29 Most hugged man on the planet
23C-29 Most hugged man on the planet
23C-30 Chief Warrior and a confused husband...
23C-30 Chief Warrior and a confused husband...
23C-31 Traditional skills
23C-31 Traditional skills
23C-32 Up and high
23C-32 Up and high
23C-33 Showmanship in the air
23C-33 Showmanship in the air
24N-03-Samoan Cooking
24N-03-Samoan Cooking
24N-04 Traditional Ingredients
24N-04 Traditional Ingredients
23C-36 Ingredients
23C-36 Ingredients
22C-26 Explaining origin of native products
22C-26 Explaining origin of native products
22C-27 From Coconut tree to a rope
22C-27 From Coconut tree to a rope
22C-29 Processing Coconuts
22C-29 Processing Coconuts
22C-30 Store with Samoan Crafts
22C-30 Store with Samoan Crafts
n8887 Rapa Nui
n8887 Rapa Nui
n8890 Rapa Nui
n8890 Rapa Nui
n8895 Rapa Nui
n8895 Rapa Nui
n8896 Rapa Nui
n8896 Rapa Nui
22C-31 Drums of Tonga
22C-31 Drums of Tonga
22C-32 Tongan Crafts
22C-32 Tongan Crafts
22C-33 Making of Tongan products
22C-33 Making of Tongan products
25C-01 Tongan Fale, images of Royal Family
25C-01 Tongan Fale, images of Royal Family
25C-08 Marquesan Village
25C-08 Marquesan Village
25C-15 Marquesan show
25C-15 Marquesan show
25C-16 Marquesas
25C-16 Marquesas
25C-18-Marquesas
25C-18-Marquesas
24N-08 Marquesas
24N-08 Marquesas
25C-10 Like a Gauguin painting (Marquesas)
25C-10 Like a Gauguin painting (Marquesas)
25C-11 Getting a Hivu Tatoo
25C-11 Getting a Hivu Tatoo
24N-10 Fiji (Melanesia)
24N-10 Fiji (Melanesia)
25C-21 Fijian Bura (House)
25C-21 Fijian Bura (House)
25C-23 Fijian Show
25C-23 Fijian Show
25C-24 Fijian Show
25C-24 Fijian Show
25C-03 Banana Tree
25C-03 Banana Tree
25C-04 One of the Lagoons
25C-04 One of the Lagoons
25C-06 Tahiti exhibition and show room
25C-06 Tahiti exhibition and show room
25C-28 Heliconia
25C-28 Heliconia
25C-30 Torch Ginger
25C-30 Torch Ginger
39C-19 Aotearoa (New Zealand)
39C-19 Aotearoa (New Zealand)
39C-20 Aotearoa
39C-20 Aotearoa
39C-24 Hm... Hukilau, a local tradition of Laie they say...
39C-24 Hm... Hukilau, a local tradition of Laie they say...