[This is an expanded version of an article and photos by Mike Foley, Church News Hawaii contributor since 1977, that appeared in CHURCH NEWS online on October 14, 2023.]
The Polynesian Cultural Center has not only been one of Hawaii’s most popular visitor attractions, but many thousands of former employees and senior missionaries also know a secret: It’s an enriching place to work and serve, where they often get more out of the experience than visitors.
That’s why several thousand alumni return here each decade, most recently from October 7–12, 2023, to celebrate the Center’s 60th anniversary.
President Hugh B. Brown, then First Counselor in the First Presidency, dedicated the Center — primarily built by labor missionaries, including 50-or-more from the South Pacific — on October 12, 1963.
That sunny Saturday afternoon, he cut a traditional lei, signifying the Center was open, in front of a group of VIPs onstage and an overflowing audience in what is now called the Hale Aloha.
Te Aroha Nui o Te Iwi Maori, a group of almost 200 volunteers from New Zealand, many of them also former labor missionaries there, sang majestically during the program. They came about two weeks early to help put the finishing touches on the Center, perform in the new Maori Village, and
double the Laie-based cast of the Center’s very first night show.
The 60th reunion devotional: For the Polynesian Cultural Center’s sixtieth anniversary, current Center leaders put together a mix of spiritual, cultural, and social activities, starting with a devotional on October 8 in the BYU–Hawaii Cannon Activities Center.
As with most 60th reunion activities, the devotional was live-streamed to alumni around the world, and the broadcast was then posted to pcc60.com.
It began with a slideshow of PCC pictures from over the years. Three exceptional choirs provided music: The Kahuku Third Ward Tongan choir (of the Laie Hawaii North Stake) under the direction of PCC alumnus Tevita Toafa, an alumni choir from Laie led by Esther Dela Rosa Macy, and a virtual alumni choir with members from around the world.
The virtual choir sang Voyage of Faith, an original song composed by Kiwi alumni Adele Wirihana WiRepa, who worked with PCC musician Milton Kaka, a skilled video editor, to put together the virtual video performance, which played on the CAC’s large screen and moved many in the audience to tears.
Matuauto Steve Lā’ulu, Director of Islands for the Center, conducted the devotional, announcing the following speakers:
In his keynote address, which came later in the program, Bishop L. Todd Budge, Second Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric, reminded the devotional audience that at the Center’s 40th anniversary in 2003, President Gordon B. Hinckley said of Laie, “This place is unique in all the world,” referring to the “triad” of the Laie Hawaii Temple, BYU–Hawaii, and the Polynesian Cultural Center.
Referring to an earlier speaker, Bishop Budge added the “three entities…are places where one can feel and see the light of Jesus Christ, and the peace and joy that emulates from them.”
“You’re unique in ways that really matter…. The PCC and BYU–Hawaii are certainly working together in the exact ways the Lord and His prophets intended….”
Center president and CEO P. Alfred Grace thanked all for coming and expressed gratitude the alumni were a part of making the prophetic vision of BYU–Hawaii come true. “Thank you for making the sacrifices for being here.”
“We know that our mission has always been to share the culture, diversity, and spirit of Polynesia with all who visit the Polynesian Cultural Center in a unique, uplifting, and inspirational way,” he said, noting this is how the Center provides educational opportunities for the students.
Then President Grace stressed, “Our vision going forward is to spread [the spirit of Aloha] around the world,” which is why several years ago the Center
adopted the motto, “One ‘ohana sharing aloha.”
“I hope you’re able to renew your friendships and again take joy, as the sons of Mosiah and Alma did” when they met again as missionaries.
Next, Fraser Bullock, chairman of the Center’s board of directors, said, “I feel so blessed to have been adopted into the PCC ‘ohana about 10 years ago. I have loved every minute of it, and I want to give a big mahalo to everyone who has helped build the PCC over the years.”
“As I look at you, I had this spiritual impression from our Father that He and His Son are so pleased with the work you have done over the decades. They love that you love the work that you do,” Brother Bullock said.
“We’ve enhanced the principles, the foundation, to share aloha around the world; and when you do that, we have tens of millions of visitors that have been here that you’ve welcomed,” he continued. “We have exemplified the spirit of aloha by living the values taught by Jesus Christ. The two are symbiotic. They work together…. Each interaction gives us the opportunity to uplift others.”
Brother Bullock concluded his remarks by saying, “The PCC is special in the entire world. You have an impact. It’s touched the lives of tens of billions of people, and continues to do so today.”
Other devotional speakers included Fifita Unga, retired vice president of Food Services; Bobby Akoi, retired Director of Protocol; and Alan Walker,
