The Polynesian Cultural Center Opens in 1963
The Polynesian Cultural Center opened to the public on October 12, 1963. In the early years, Saturday was the only night villagers at the Center could draw a big enough crowd to fill the 750-seat amphitheater.Following the tremendous boom in Hawaii's tourism industry, however, and promotional appearances at the Hollywood Bowl and on TV's "Ed Sullivan Show," the Center began to thrive. In 1966, the Center was featured in the Elvis Presley film "Paradise, Hawaiian Style."
By the late 1960s, the amphitheater had been expanded to almost 1,300 seats. Villagers staged the evening show every night (except Sundays) and sometimes twice a night to accommodate peak season crowds.
Expansion of the PCC
A major expansion in 1975 relocated and enlarged the Hawaiian village and added a Marquesan tohua or ceremonial compound. The following year a new amphitheater, which now seats almost 2,800 guests, was opened and several other buildings were added to the grounds, including the 1,000-seat Gateway Restaurant in 1979. In 1977, the Center became Hawaii's top-paid visitor attraction according to annual state government surveys.Many other additions followed in the 1980s: an 1850s-era Christian missionary compound; a 70-foot bure kalou, or Fijian worship structure, that dominates the northern end of the Center; The Migrations Museum; Yoshimura Store, a 1920s-style shop with island treats; and totally re-landscaped villages.
"Horizons" and IMAX™
The 1990s saw a new wave of important PCC products, all intended to ensure that each return visit is a totally new experience. In 1995, the Center introduced a new and exciting night show, "Horizons, Where the Sea Meets the Sky;" a breathtaking IMAX™ film, "The Living Sea;" and Treasures of Polynesia, a $1.4 million shopping plaza featuring a large collection of authentic island merchandise.
Ali'i Lu'au Opens and Earns Universal Praise
In 1996, the Center created the Ali'i Lu'au, which takes guests on a nostalgic trip through Polynesia while they enjoy traditional Hawaiian luau food and entertainment. The lu'au was awarded the Hawai'i Visitors & Convention Bureau's "Keep It Hawai'i Award" for the most authentic Hawaiian luau. In 1997, the Center was awarded the O'ihana Maika'i Award by the State of Hawai'i for excellence in service and productivity.
2000 and Beyond
The turn of the millennium brought more changes to the Center including the addition of the IMAX™ film "Dolphins", improvements to the front entrance, modifications to the retail sales areas to create a more authentic shopping experience and more.The Aloha Theater was renovated to handle special group functions of 1,000 or more. In response to visitor satisfaction surveys, cultural presentations were lengthened to an hour each to give the visitors more to experience. And, to give them more time to experience it all, the PCC introduced "Free within Three" that lets a guest purchase a ticket for a package and then come back again for two additional days to fit in all that they may have missed the first day.
The year 2001 brought the start of many changes to the face of the Center, with more than $1 million in improvements to the front entrance landscaping.
40th Anniversary Brings More Changes
In honor of the PCC's 40th anniversary in 2003, even more changes occurred to enhance the beauty, culture and learning guests of all ages and backgrounds.A new front entrance now features mini-museum displays of artifacts from each of the islands represented at the PCC, as well as hand-carved replicas of the various voyaging canoes used in Polynesia. An exhibit featuring the moai statues of Easter Island has opened to round out representation of the Polynesian Triangle.
And, an all-new venue and show have been added for the award-winning Ali'i Lu'au. The show returns home to the start of the PCC shows in the Hale Aloha Theater and features songs and dances that take guests on a journey around the Hawaiian Islands and into the heart of Hawaii's people.
Imagine what Matthew Cowley would think if he could see how popular his "little villages" are today. He was right in assuming that the Aloha Spirit as practiced by the people of Polynesia would prove to be infectious and that their culture and traditions would endure if they were shared with others.
For More Information
If you'd like to find out more about the PCC, can check out these other related features:- A Brief Introduction to the Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie, Oahu
- Polynesian Cultural Center Villages Photos with pictures of each of the Polynesian Villages at the Polynesian Cultural Center
- Polynesian Cultural Center Canoe Pageant Photos with pictures of the Rainbows of Paradise Canoe Pageant at the Polynesian Cultural Center
