Polynesian Culture Center
Polynesian Culture Center and Surrounding Area
The Polynesian Culture Center (PCC) is perhaps the best known institution at Lā’ie. First opened in 1964, PCC offers a variety of Polynesian stage shows, cultural tours, and dining experiences. The shows and seven villages of Polynesia give visitors a taste of Polynesian life.
The Polynesian Cultural Center is Mormon owned, and its performers and employees are students and faculty at BYU-H from Hawai’i, Aotearoa, Fiji, Sāmoa, Tahiti, Nu’uhiwa (Marquesas), Tonga and else where around the world. By working at The Polynesian Culture Center, these students have the chance to earn money for their tuition and other expenses that naturally occur while attending any university.
Brigham Young University – Hawai’i (BYUH) — formerly called Church College of Hawai’i — enrolls thousands of students, many of them from Pacific Island nations. Its Polynesian Institute studies and helps to preserve the native cultures of Polynesia, of which Hawai’i is a part. The Church College of Hawai’i was founded by the Mormon Church in 1955 and is accredited by the Western College Association.
The Mormon Temple at Lā’ie was built in 1919 and dedicated in 1920. While only high-ranking Mormons are permitted in the Temple’s interior, anyone may visit the gardens and courtyard.
The Temple’s site was a pu’uhonua (place of refuge) in ancient times. According to ancient Hawaiian law, any person, whether innocent or guilty, could take asylum there and the individual’s adversary could not enter to harm him. The pu’uhonua was administered by members of the powerful kāhuna (priesthood) who interceded for the gods.
Polynesian Culture Center – More Info
As you can see above, The Polynesian Culture Center, Brigham Young University, and the Mormon Temple are basically one large entity. They each serve one another and provide a positive environment for everyone. There are many other Web sites devoted specifically to each of these and if you’d like to learn more you can. This has been a quick look at The Polynesian Culture Center where you can find a great Polynesian/Hawaiian experience.
Next we’ll start a series around Pearl Harbor.
[…] This was our look at the Waimea Area. Next down the road, we’ll explore some more places of interest like The Polynesian Culture Center. […]
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