Polynesian Cultural Center Selected “Best Family Attraction”
Readers Select PCC as Part of Honolulu Magazine’s “Best of Honolulu” Awards
Laie, HI – March 1, 2012 –– Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) has been selected “Best Family Attraction,” a distinguished honor, as chosen by readers in Honolulu magazine’s annual “Best of Honolulu” edition. This is the third time PCC has been honored with a “Best of Honolulu” award.
“PCC is extremely honored to be recognized as Honolulu magazine’s ‘Best Family Attraction,’ especially since winners are chosen based on kamaaina (Hawaii residents) readers’ picks,” said Raymond Magalei, PCC’s director of marketing. “It’s very important to us that ohana (families) who come to PCC, whether they are visitors or kamaaina, repeat or first-time visitors, enjoy themselves, so we’re always working to ensure that their experience is not only fun, but also rich with new and exciting activities. It is our hope that PCC remains Hawaii’s top attraction for many years to come.”
Each year, Honolulu magazine compiles a comprehensive list of the best that Oahu has to offer and readers vote to determine the winners in a variety of categories, including food, shopping, entertainment, services, fitness, and celebrations.
PCC has previously been recognized with two “Best of” awards, including “Best Place to Take Visitors” in 2010 and 2011. In addition, Hawaii’s No. 1 entertainment critic, Wayne Harada of the Honolulu Advertiser, awarded Ha: Breath of Life the “Best show, public” in his annual Waynie Awards for 2009.
PCC offers a variety of experiences, activities, and fun for the entire family. Guests can start off the day exploring PCC’s six island villages and two
exhibits and also try their hands at the new “Go Native!” activities. The “Go Native!” activities offer exciting hands-on opportunties to do as natives do, whether it’s scaling coconut trees in the Samoan Village, paddling outrigger canoes in the lagoon, cooking in an umu (Samoan above-ground oven), or spear throwing in the Tahitian Village.
For those in the mood for a more relaxing experience, the PCC offers guided canoe tours on a tranquil fresh water lagoon that weaves throughout the Center. The lagoon also hosts Hawaii’s only waterborne pageant, Rainbows of Paradise, which features colorful song and dance from Hawaii, Tonga, Tahiti, Samoa, Fiji and Aotearoa — all performed aboard double-hulled canoes.
In the evening, families can dine at the PCC’s newly rennovated Gateway restaurant buffet, with its ono (delicious) cosmopolitan spread, or upgrade to the Alii Luau, Hawaii’s most authentic luau, before closing out the day at the critically acclaimed evening show, Ha: Breath of Life.
Since opening in summer 2009, Ha: Breath of Life has entertained more than one million guests, receiving rave reviews from locals and visitors alike. With a cast of more than 100 performers, Ha captivates audiences with the story of its central character, Mana, who they follow through the universal life themes of boyhood, love, loss and responsibility. From the apprehension of youth, to the stirrings of young love, to even the sorrow of death, Ha takes the audience on an exhilarating and emotion-filled experience through the sights, sounds and dances of Polynesia.
To add to PCC’s already impressive list of offerings, within the next year the Center plans to unveil many new and exciting enhancements, events and attractions.
For more information or to make reservations, visit Polynesia.com or call the PCC ticket office at (800) 1-844-572-2347 . On Oahu call (808) 293-3333.
Founded in 1963 as a non-profit organization, the PCC has entertained more the 36 million visitors, while preserving and portraying the culture, arts, and crafts of Polynesia to the rest of the world. In addition, the PCC has provided financial assistance to 17,000 young people from over 70 different countries while they attend Brigham Young University-Hawaii. As a non-profit organization, 100 percent of PCC’s revenue is used for daily operations and to support education.