Things to do nearPolynesian Cultural Center
The Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie, Hawaii, is a landmark living museum celebrating the traditions, arts, and peoples of six Pacific Island nations.
Founded in 1963 and operated in connection with Brigham Young University Hawaii, the Polynesian Cultural Center has grown into one of Hawaii's most visited cultural attractions, drawing visitors from across the world to the north shore town of Laie on Oahu. The center was established with a dual mission: to preserve and share the living traditions of Polynesia while providing employment and scholarship opportunities for Pacific Islander students studying at the adjacent university. Today those students serve as the heart of the experience, acting as cultural ambassadors in the six island villages that represent Hawaii, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Tahiti, and Aotearoa New Zealand.
Each village is designed with architectural detail and landscaping specific to its region, and demonstrations throughout the day cover traditional crafts, navigation techniques, agricultural practices, and performance arts. The lagoon at the center of the grounds serves as a gathering point for the afternoon canoe pageant, where performers from each village travel by water in a celebration of shared Pacific heritage.
Dining options range from a broad buffet featuring dishes from across Polynesia to the more immersive Ali'i Luau, where a traditional underground imu oven is central to the meal. The evening culminates in Ha: Breath of Life, a large-scale theatrical production tracing the journey of a Polynesian family across generations, performed with live music, elaborate costuming, and fire dance.
The Polynesian Cultural Center stands as one of the most thorough and respectfully presented introductions to Pacific Island cultures available anywhere in the world.
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Chance of rainTips for visiting Polynesian Cultural Center
Visit on a weekday afternoon to experience the village demonstrations with smaller crowds and more personal interaction with the cultural guides.
Try the traditional Samoan coconut candy and Hawaiian poi at the dining pavilion for an authentic taste of Pacific staple foods.
Bring reef-safe sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes, as the grounds are expansive and much of the experience takes place outdoors under the Hawaiian sun.
Stay for the evening luau and the Ha: Breath of Life night show, which together offer a full arc of Polynesian storytelling through music and dance.
Arrive at least thirty minutes before the afternoon canoe pageant to secure a shaded spot along the lagoon for the best view of the procession.
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