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FOOTBALL LEGENDS INDUCTED INTO 2016 POLYNESIAN FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME

For Immediate Release

FOOTBALL LEGENDS INDUCTED INTO 2016 POLYNESIAN FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME EXHIBIT AT THE POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER

Lā‘ie, Hawai‘i – January 30, 2016 – The Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) welcomed the newest additions into the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame (PFHOF) by honoring the Class of 2016 inductees, today at the Enshrinement Ceremony.
The Enshrinement Ceremony began with a presentation of diverse cultural traditions including the sound of the pū (triton conch shell), a hula kahiko (ancient style of hula) performance, and haka (New Zealand war dance). In addition, the warriors representing the PCC’s six island villages – Hawai‘i, Samoa, Aotearoa, Tahiti, Tonga, and Fiji – welcomed today’s guests and inductees.

Steve Wyche, NFL Network reporter and senior writer for NFL.com, introduced today’s special guests of honor Rockne Crowningburg Freitas, Troy Polamalu and Vai Sikahema as well as Ronnie Stanley and Mike Iupati. Family and friends represented the late inductees, Charles Teetai Ane, Jr. and Albert Lolotai.

As a tribute to Polynesia’s greatest football players, coaches and contributors, the PFHOF exhibit now showcases the achievements of the three classes and 18 inductees with plaques, photos, mementos, interactive displays and more. The Polynesian College Football Player of the Year and Polynesian Pro Football Player of the Year winners are also honored in the exhibit.

In collaboration between the PCC and the PFHOF, which was established by Super Bowl Champions Jesse Sapolu and Ma’a Tanuvasa, the exhibit serves as a permanent resource to preserve and promote Polynesian Football history. As a non-profit organization, the PFHOF also provides college scholarships designated for student-athletes of Polynesian ancestry to be awarded to the alma mater of each PFHOF Inductee, educational programs focusing on character and teamwork for youth within the Polynesian community, and other initiatives positively benefiting Polynesian culture and heritage. To support these efforts, the PFHOF also donated a total of 100 Enshrinement Ceremony tickets to local high school football teams.

The Hall of Fame exhibit is located in PCC’s guest orientation center adjacent to the Hukilau Marketplace. Admission is free and open to the public during regular operational hours.

For more information about the PCC, visit Polynesia.com or call (808) 293-3333. For more information about the PHFOF, visit PolynesianFootballHOF.org.

To view today’s press conference, please visit the following link: http://livestream.com/polynesia-live-event/2016pfhof-press.

To view the Class of 2016’s Enshrinement Ceremony, please visit the following link: http://livestream.com/polynesia-live-event/events/4755654.

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