Polynesian Cultural Center
add photosA variety of packages are available, including an all-day pass with dinner buffet and evening show. Transportation is also available to and from Waikiki hotels.
If you purchase tickets to the Polynesian Cultural Center, the PCC "Free within Three" offer allows you to visit again within three days.
21 Reviews for Polynesian Cultural Center
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"The PCC is an Owahu MUST! "
There are several different packages you can choose from. I highly recommend getting a package that includes dinner and the fire show. You can pay a little more for better seating at dinner and at the show if you'd like, but just know that all of the seating is pretty great at the show and the only advantage at dinner is you get to get in the buffet line first (but the line moves very quickly. (The dinner doesn't phenominal, but it is a traditional Luau and if you haven't been to one, it's a must!)
We love all the different villages and learning about each of the unique cultures. There are so many fun activities for the whole family.
Tip #1 Find a BYU-H student to purchase your tickets for you. They get 50% off face value!
Tip #2 There is a $6 charge to park at the PCC (or you can find a parking space just outside of the PCC on off the side of Kam Highway if you don't mind walking a little more)
Tip #3 They do have strollers for rent (with GREAT sunshades) and its only a couple dollars for the day. But there are only a couple so plan on getting there early to ensure getting one
Tip #4 Don't buy any of the overpriced souvenirs at the PCC. Save your money for the Hawaiian swap meet (most of what you will see at the PCC will also be at the swap meet and you can haggle for much lower prices.) OR better yet, get a free MaiKai discount card at the Foodland next to the PCC and buy the Mona Loa chocolate covered macadamia nuts (they are only a couple dollars/box with your Maikai discount and are great inexpensive gifts to take back home to friends and family)
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"Pretty and Pricey"
We went here with our 10 month old. It was a great place to walk around outdoors and see all the beautiful flowers and cultural representations. What I liked about this place is that my son could toddle around and I didn't have to worry about him breaking anything! With two more kids now, I think it would be too expensive for us.
1 family found this helpful
"Our Favorite Place on Oahu"
The Polynesian Cultural Center is our family's favorite place on Oahu. Not only is it fun, but it is extremely educational. The PCC is broken into different "villages," each representing a different country, including Samoa, Tonga, New Zealand, etc. You get to learn all about the different cultures of each country via different activities, such as performances, food samples, games, crafts, etc. Your kids will love all of the hands-on activities! If you pay extra, you can attend a luau in the evening. We thought that the food was pretty good, but the luau isn't a "must." The night show, however, is a definite must! There are dancers from all of the different areas, including Samoan fire dancers! It's truly a spectacular show. Make sure the kids are well-rested, though, because it runs kind of late. The show is outdoors, so they wait until dark to start it.
1 family found this helpful
"A little expensive, but nice place"
We visited here on a half day with our 2 and 4 year olds, I definitely recommend making sure you arrive earlier so you can take advantage of the whole center. The center is comprised of many "villages" representing the Polynesian islands. Each village has some display of the culture of that island, whether it's a craft, show, exhibit, etc. Many shows repeat at different times during the day, so prioritize when you get there. Also some "hidden" finds, e.g. in Fiji my 4yo son and I were standing around waiting and a man offered to take us out on a sort of Fijian raft ride on the water, they use a long stick to guide the flat through the waters. Son enjoyed it. Kids will be interested in the shows and crafts. Save some time and $ and SKIP THE LUAU - Trust me. It's overpriced for what it is, food is so-so and the real show is the stage production after dinner, which is a separate ticket anyway. Kids will not be interested in the luau either. If you have the money and can make it to the PCC early I recommend it.
1 family found this helpful
"So Much To See And Do!"
You could spend the entire day at the Polynesian Cultural Center. We only had a couple hours to walk through all of the villages and we really needed a lot more time. I hope to go back in the future and spend a lot more time interacting at each of the villages. There really are a ton of activities to do and things to learn, you just have to walk up to the workers and find out what they are offering in each village.
The luau was fun and had neat entertainment. It was our first luau and I was glad we tried it, but if we go back I think we will skip the luau and just do the Villages and the evening show. The evening show (Ha Breath of Life) was phenomenal! There were so many different dances and performers, it was outstanding. It rained all day before our show, but that didn't stop us from having a great time.
Definitely go visit the Polynesian Cultural Center. Give your family plenty of time to enjoy it and I'm sure you won't be disappointed.
0 families found this helpful
"Lots to do"
This was so much fun. It can take all day to see everything too. We enjoyed seeing all the different cultural displays and "mini shows" that each nation did. It was fun and interactive and the workers had so much fun energy and involved as many people as they could. We saw the "Ha: Breath of Life" show and it was amazing. Just so much fun and relaxing. You can choose what you want to see. And the LUAU was awesome and the food great.
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"Loved it!"
We lived in Hawaii and went here every time we had family come to visit. It is a little pricey and you have to prepare for a long day but it's very worth it. It's in the afternoon so if your kids don't do well without naps I would think twice. The luau is DELICIOUS and the evening show is amazing. Samoa and Tonga have the most entertaining shows during the day, and the Rainbows of Paradise boat show lets you get a nice rest. Just make sure to get there early and find a seat with shade!They also have classes in the villages that teach music and dancing that kids can participate in. You can even get "tattooed" in some of the villages.
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"PCC is great to do once "
It's a great place for kids to learn about the Polynesian culture. They have demonstrations for each island. It's a great place because almost all of the workers are students from BYU. The luau is definitely pricey, but the evening show is typically worth the money. Be prepared for it to be hot, especially in the summer time.
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"Polynesian Cultural Center Hawaii"
We visited the Polynesian Cultural Center in October 2006. The whole place is very beautiful. They flowers, plants, and walkways have been so well kept and it is really a beautiful place. This activity was highly recommended by so many people, so we thought we would enjoy it, but we didn't. It is quite expensive. We got a package that included the show and luau and I wish we would have spent our money on something else. The whole place is centered around joining in activities and I just don't think that is our families cup of tea. We also watched the show and the parade which was a lot of the same thing. The luau had a lot of good food but was nothing special. I wish we would have spent our money on excursions rather than this.
0 families found this helpful
"Fun but hard with the stroller"
This wa a avery fun stop but it was a very long day, it was very hard to get from show to show and bring the stroller with us. We were constantly being stpped over and walked around. I think the fact that is was 95 degres outside did not help. However the Samoa show made the day a total success! I highly recommend watching this show and getting there earlry for shady seats!
0 families found this helpful
"Exploring the Pacific Islands From One Location"
This place was great! We spent a little over half the day here exploring the culture and customs of many islands, not just Hawaii. There was a pageant of boats representing different islands (Hawaii, Tonga, Fiji, Samoa, etc) and their dress, dance, music, language.
The center was broken up into different islands and upon each respective island you could see the different villages, do different crafts, participate in demonstrations, hear various sorts of music, buy souvenirs representative of those islands.
There were boats you could ride throughout the center whic we all really enjoyed.
The Luau was okay. I was hoping for somehting more authentic in terms of environment. You know, the bonfire on the beach, within a small group of people and many natives. But I suppose that sort of luau is difficult to find. This particular luau acted out the digging up of the boar...there was a show about the tribal people, along with some singing.
The food was eerved as a buffet and was delicious and enough food so that you could get seconds.
A great place to go to have family fun and get some cultural insight. And if you've never had Mochi Ball Ice Cream, you have to buy some here in one of the gift shops...I was in love instantly!
1 family found this helpful
"very entertaining"
I actually only went twice since this place is very far from town, but I really enjoy their main show with eating rainbow icecream : ) You can feel the roots of Hawaiian there and learn a lot of things you never seen before. Weaving, to make a fire, getting a coconut tree . Oh, the fire dancing is exciting too. You also can experience Hawaiian food there like poi, imu etc. You should go at least once.
0 families found this helpful
"A must see"
this was such a wonderful experience for my family and i. We have three children ages 11 months, 3yrs, and 4yrs, and they all had such a great time. There are a few didn't packages you can get, from just a day pass to the park, to a personal guided tour with special seating, and special food. We chose the second to highest package, that included a group tour, good seats at the show, and a luau. Children under 5 are free. This also included a free ticket to come back and visit the park an extra day to see all the things you missed. All in all i would say this was a wonderful experience, with lots to do, great food, and something for the whole family.
3 families found this helpful
"The Best Way To Learn About Old Hawaii"
If you want to learn about the history of Hawaii and other Polynesian cultures, a stop to PCC is a must. Here you'll be able to visit different authentic villages and experience their food, art, language, and culture.
The Alii Luau is a must! You'll dine on kalua pig, chicken long rice, poi, haupia, sweet potato, and other ono Hawaiian food. You'll also be entertained by hula dancers and local musicians.
When you're done with your meal, catch a showing of HA: The Breath of Life. The story of Ha is about a couple who gives birth to their son, Mana. We follow along in his journey to manhood as he visits various Polynesian islands and experiences the different cultures through music and dance. Through his odyssey, he encounters the love of his life, invading warriors, a death in the family, and the birth of his own son. The storyline kind of reminded me of The Circle of Life from The Lion King where a new generation is born.
For me, it was a very powerful performance. I’ve seen other PCC productions before but Ha is definitely the best one so far. I liked how they used the entire theater as part of their show which included an erupting volcano, waterfalls, special effects, and surround sound.
0 families found this helpful
"A great place for the whole family to have fun and learn something"
I really enjoyed the Polynesian Cultural Center but than again I am a sucker for anything that involves cultural or historical reinactment villages. It was very interesting to learn about different Polynesian cultures. My husband loved testing his athletic skills at all the games and I loved all the cultural performances. I certainly will be bringing my kids when they come with us to Hawaii.
1 family found this helpful
"Not to Miss!"
This was one of my favorite things during my trip to Hawaii. It was great to see the other cultures and there was so much to do! If you are able to join in a luau and make sure to get in on all the demos and great shows. And if they are still serving the ice cream in the pineapple get one or two, you won't be sorry!
1 family found this helpful
"Get a guide and learn OR Have fun"
We got a guide. It cost a little extra, but you're guaranteed to see a lot. They put on shows in the different villages, and it's hard to time them if you don't know your way around. Going with a guide means that you'll see the shows.
If you don't go with a guide, you can take your time and do different crafts and classes within the different villages. You may not see many shows, though. When the luau starts in the evening, the rest of the place closes down shop.
The luau is entertaining and good food, but it's not very authentic. They narrate a description of how what they do relates traditionally, but they don't really walk the walk. The evening show is similar, in that it is beautiful but not very authentic.
1 family found this helpful
"What a fun place"
This place is so much fun and very informative. It has really developed over the years into something spectacular. If you can, try to time your walk around the center so that you can see the shows of each island. And be sure not to skip the big show in the evening! It's truly spectacular! You can also plan to watch one of the big dance/music shows while eating a Hawaiian meal with other visitors.
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"Fun with the Family"
Along with Pearl Harbor and Punchbowl, this is among the most-visited sites on the island. The center provides a glimpse into the lifestyles and cultures of the South Pacific Islands. Here you’ll be greeted by islanders representing the seven different Polynesian groups: Fiji, Hawaii, New Zealand, Tahiti, Samoa, the Marquesas, and Tonga. Visitors are led through the villages either along waterways in a canoe or on a walking tour. Everyone is given the chance to explore the villages, learn the songs and dances, taste the foods, and watch demonstrations of ethnic arts and crafts. A Polynesian extravaganza, complete with hula dancers, fire dancers, and Hawaiian food, is held every night.
A big allure is the IMAX theater, a five-story wraparound movie screen that will make viewers feel as if they’re actually paddling a canoe around the sands of Samoa or tromping over trails in the hills of New Zealand.
1 family found this helpful
"fun and unique"
I thought it was fun and different to see the vast array of different Polynesian cultural traditions, dances, songs, dress, and food. I give it only four stars because it seems a bit commercialized and it's not something that most of the locals would go to. I don't think it's inauthentic, it's very lavish but very expensive. I'd recommend it for children who are 5+. Also, know that it's mission is to support the educational objectives of the students at the nearby Brigham Young University, so you may see a number of Mormon service missionaries at the center.
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