[Story and photo by Mike Foley shared from the CCH/BYUH Alumni eNewsletter during Big Joe’s first and only “return” in 2002 to BYU–Hawaii and the Polynesian Cultural Center since he left in 1974; reprinted in pcc50.com on September 14, 2012.]
Introduction: The late Josaia “Big Joe” Vakalalavanua — who went by the shortened name of Vakalala in his PCC days — returned to Laie in 2002 as a protocol and cultural spokesman for the Fijian National Team in BYU-Hawaii’s Asia-Pacific Basketball Classic tournament that year.
Vakalala’s memories of the PCC: Vakala recalled the Polynesian Cultural Center’s first Fijian cultural instructor, the late Ratu Isireli Racule, recruited him to come to Laie in July 1964 as an entertainer.
After graduating from CCH (where he played on the 1967 national rugby championship team), he worked at the PCC until 1974, spent a year playing rugby for BYU (in Provo), then returned to Fiji where he taught physical education and Fijian culture.
In 1975 he married Dorothy Logovatu Tuidrakulu, who worked at the PCC in 1972. The couple had five children.
Asked if he was surprised at the changes since he was last in Laie,
Vakalala said, “It has changed tremendously, naturally for the better. The Cannon Activities Center is now sitting on the old rugby ground where I used to play. Also, I’m very thankful that the Cultural Center and BYU–Hawaii now have a central administration building” [at that time].
“The PCC has also grown tremendously. To me, as a performer, it’s still the number-one entertainment center throughout the world.
Mind you, I took a group in 2000 to Disney World, so I can compare. The Cultural Center not only teaches employees to entertain, it imbues values and discipline, and satisfies the cultural thirst of anyone who comes here.”
“The PCC has what Fijians call vude: When people hear the music, they want to stand up and dance.”
Vakalala, who was also a lay minister for the Methodist Church in Fiji, said he still greatly respected the Latter-day Saints:
“They’re tremendous. Ratu Isireli, who was also a Methodist, told me when I first came, ‘I want you to uplift the name of the Church and the Cultural Center.’
I was very thankful, and I trained myself to represent BYU–Hawaii and the Cultural Center. I still relate to the PCC cast and all
those I’ve been talking to since I’ve been back,” Vakalala said.
“I’m thankful for the Church standards, for being a guiding light to me,” Vakalala continued. “Somehow, the people here, especially in the Physical Education department, really turned me around.”
“Thank you, BYU–Hawaii and PCC. You made me and prepared me very well to tackle challenges in education. I’ve also continued to be the model that Ratu Isireli hoped for the LDS Church and the Cultural Center.”
P.S. We all called him “Big Joe” back in the day because, #1, he was an outstanding athlete, and #2 to distinguish him from a shorter Fijian, “Little Joe” Natoko Tavaiqui.
[Update: Sadly, Vakalalavanua passed away in Fiji on January 12, 2004.]
