FEELING THE SPIRIT

May 28th, 2013

 
While walking toward my office to close things up for the night, I overheard a Japanese woman asking the Customer Service clerk from Cambodia if she spoke Japanese. I knew the clerk didn’t speak the language. I walked up behind the guest and asked in Japanese if I could be of any help. Her eyes doubled in size and her jaw dropped nearly to the ground when she turned around and saw this gigantic Samoan standing there. (Haha—I’m used to it by now. Japanese people are always surprised not only by my size, but that I can also kinda’ speak their language.)
 
The woman asked if I could speak Japanese. I answered, “A little.” She said she had only one question: “Whose wonderful idea was it to build this place?” She explained that her family had spent the day at the Polynesian Cultural Center and really enjoyed themselves, and had just returned from the tram tour that goes to the Lāʻie Hawaiʻi Temple.
 
On the way back, the tour group stopped at Brigham Young University–Hawaiʻi, where they learned about students from more than 70 countries and the education they receive—most of it at little or no cost to the students. She once again asked whose inspired idea it was to create a place where students from around the world could work at a place like the PCC to earn their education while, at the same time, deepening their faith—all in one place!
 
I gave her the super-condensed version of the history of Lāʻie, then waited for her to say the magic words… and she didn’t disappoint. The next words out of her mouth were, “Wow! The LDS Church? (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) I’d like to learn more.”
 
There are no sweeter words to the ears of a missionary. While I am no longer a full-time proclaimer of the gospel, those words were no less sweet to me. The Polynesian Cultural Center is truly one of the Lord’s more unique missionary tools. 😉 And I’m grateful to be a small part of it.
 
Boss Jimmy Mapu served in the Japan Tokyo South Mission 
 
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Picture of Jimmy Mapu - The Governor

Jimmy Mapu - The Governor

Jimmy Mapu is the beloved Governor of the Polynesian Cultural Center, a title earned through decades of dedicated service and genuine care for people. He currently serves as Director of Guest Services, where he provides steady leadership and mentorship to the Center’s tour guides and frontline employees who bring Polynesian culture to life each day.

Known for his warmth, humor, and gift for storytelling, Jimmy’s reflections speak not only to guests but especially to the employees he leads—capturing the heart, history, and values that define the Polynesian Cultural Center.