Growing up in one of Suva’s toughest neighborhoods, Timoci (Jimmy) Keen learned that “We love to compete” wasn’t just about basketball—it was about life. Facing poverty and constant temptation, Jimmy found strength through faith, education, and opportunity. His journey from Raiwaqa to BYU–Hawaii and the Polynesian Cultural Center is a powerful story of resilience and transformation.
Tahitian dancer Atea Lee Chip Sao turned every challenge into a stepping stone. From his first lūʻau performance to earning a spot in HĀ: Breath of Life at the Polynesian Cultural Center, his journey reflects determination and faith. Inspired by his mission in Fiji, Atea rediscovered pride in his Tahitian roots and culture. Today, he continues to tell stories through dance and photography, sharing the same passion, expression, and connection that shaped his path.
In the early 2000s, PCC reclaimed control of its transportation—and its guest experience. After decades of Waikīkī tour operators consolidating ticket sales, dictating schedules, and siphoning retail and dining, President & CEO Alfred Grace and strategist J. Alan Walker led a 2002 reset: no more consolidation, direct sales incentives, and PCC-managed charters and dispatch. Buses arrived earlier, NPS rose, margins improved, and partnerships professionalized (eventually with Roberts Hawai‘i and camera-based quality scoring). The shift remains a strategic victory for PCC.
When 22-year-old Josephine St. John left her home in Labasa, Fiji, to begin her studies at BYU–Hawaiʻi, she thought she was simply chasing a dream of higher education. What she didn’t know was that her arrival would be captured on camera and later featured in Sharing Aloha—a 95-minute documentary unveiling the behind-the-scenes world of the Polynesian Cultural Center.
From her family in Fiji selling palusami and root crops cooked in a traditional lovo to raise her airfare, to learning how to balance studies with PCC work, Josephine’s story embodies sacrifice, resilience, and the power of shared culture. Sharing Aloha not only follows her journey but also shines a light on how the PCC preserves Polynesian traditions while providing life-changing opportunities for students like Josephine.
In 2024, BYU–Hawaii alumnus Mark Ellis became the Polynesian Cultural Center’s first director of voyaging experiences, leading the Iosepa on its first open-ocean journey in eight years. The 57-foot double-hulled canoe joined 26 traditional vessels at FestPAC in Kualoa, then circumnavigated O‘ahu before returning to Lā‘ie. Ellis, inspired as a boy by the Hōkūle‘a’s historic voyages, continues the renaissance of Pacific wayfinding traditions, strengthening Hawaiian identity and honoring ancestral knowledge preserved through generations of navigators.
Blazing blades slice through the night as fire knife warriors take the stage, their every thrust, twirl, and daring toss igniting the crowd’s awe. Rooted in ancient Samoan tradition, the nifo ‘oti—the “tooth of death”—was once a fearsome weapon of war. Today, it burns bright in the hands of modern competitors who have trained for years to master its dangerous beauty. With real knives and real fire, contestants must blend raw athleticism, technical precision, and cultural authenticity. As legendary emcee Kap Tafiti quips, “We’re the only culture that gives a kid a knife and fire and tells them to go play.” What began in 1993 on the Polynesian Cultural Center stage has since become the world’s most electrifying display of courage, skill, and living tradition.
At 83, Elder Bob Palmer brings faith and craftsmanship to life at the Polynesian Cultural Center in Lāʻie, Hawaiʻi. A lifelong woodcarver, former teacher, and senior missionary, Bob creates intricate works that reflect both spiritual depth and cultural respect. From marine sculptures to sacred symbols, his carvings tell stories of devotion, heritage, and the joy of creating with purpose.
In 1960, Matte Te‘o traveled with fellow labor missionaries from Sāmoa and Tonga to build the Church College of Hawai‘i, the Lāʻie Temple additions, and the Polynesian Cultural Center. Despite injury and long days of work, he stayed committed to his calling. Each day began with prayer and purpose. From singing hymns on the flight to helping with chapels at night, he served with heart. “See, this our fathers did for us,” he says—a lasting legacy of faith and sacrifice.
The 2025 Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the Polynesian Cultural Center honored three remarkable figures whose achievements reflect the strength, spirit, and legacy of Polynesia. Jim Nicholson, Chris Kemoeatu, and Kalani Sitake were celebrated for their contributions to football and culture, inspiring future generations with their dedication, humility, and deep roots in the Polynesian community.
