‘Mr. Aloha,’ host to kings and VIPs, retires
Bobby Akoi, who worked at the Center for 42 years, retired as our director of protocol in July 2019.
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.
Long before being inducted into the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame, Junior Ah You made a name for himself not just on the field, but through decades of quiet, consistent service to the Laie community. From humble beginnings and a spiritual blessing that foretold his athletic success, to fire-knife dancing at halftime shows and feeding hundreds at community gatherings, Ah You’s legacy is deeply rooted in aloha, faith, and family. This heartwarming story reflects how true greatness is often found in serving others — with no spotlight needed.
