Vern Hardisty: One of his first PCC impressions
“Colonel” Vern Hardisty was the Cultural Center general manager from 1969–’75.
“Colonel” Vern Hardisty was the Cultural Center general manager from 1969–’75.
Tupu Tiave was the first of seven siblings to work at the Polynesian Cultural Center, starting in 1972.
Huiariki “Riki” Wātene, a Maori from Hastings, New Zealand, parlayed his PCC experience into a career back home.
Haunani Kaanaanā attended Church College of Hawaii in 1956, but didn’t join the PCC until 10 years later. She soon become one of the Center’s first female managers.
Malolo grew up in a small village on the Samoan island of Savai’i, and went to school in the capital and near Wellington, New Zealand, before attending BYU–Hawaii and working at the Polynesian Cultural Center.
Bobby Akoi, who worked at the Center for 42 years, retired as our director of protocol in July 2019.
It’s safe to say Silina Turaga Aina grew up as one of a small group of keiki at the Polynesian Cultural Center when her parents — Meleki and Sophia Turaga — were among the earliest people in the 1960s to work in the Fijian Village . . . and she’s still here, displaying and sharing her skills as a long-time weaver in the Hawaiian Village.
