SHARING ALOHA
We have a rich history of Sharing Aloha:
The Polynesian Cultural Center’s motto — One ‘ohana sharing aloha — is the perfect introduction to this section of Legacy. Sharing aloha is part of the Center’s historical heritage. For example, did you know:
- Some early Hawaiian residents of Laie include revered kūpuna [elders or ancestors] hula masters [kumu] who helped keep those traditions alive at a time when they were fading elsewhere.
- When a group of Hawaiians, primarily from Laie, migrated to a remote location in Iosepa, Utah, in the 1880s, their performing group of musicians and dancers soon became popular throughout the area.
- When the predominantly Hawaiian and Samoan residents of Laie needed to raise money in the late 1940s to replace their chapel which accidentally burned down in 1940, they started a successful Hawaiian hukilau event on a beautiful beach with the same name.
- Soon after the Church College of Hawaii (renamed Brigham Young University–Hawaii in 1974) opened here in 1955, faculty and cultural leaders organized Polynesian students into a hālau or learning group to study authentic island songs and dances. Before long, they were being asked to perform in Waikiki.
- And when university leaders decided the students needed a close place where they could work and raise money for their education, to this day the adjacent Polynesian Cultural Center provides a unique work-study program which guarantees their schooling without years of stifling loan repayment debt.
Learn more about how we share our aloha at the Polynesian Cultural Center:
![laie-Hukilau-group-1950s](https://legacy.polynesia.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/laie-Hukilau-group-1950s.jpg)
![Scan 297](https://legacy.polynesia.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Scan-297-scaled.jpeg)
![Scan 298](https://legacy.polynesia.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Scan-298-scaled.jpeg)
![185241_1466791406287_4831713_n](https://legacy.polynesia.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/185241_1466791406287_4831713_n.jpg)
CANOE PAGEANTS
We built platforms onto canoes, launched them onto our lagoon, threw in a live band and created something special!
NIGHT SHOWS
After opening in October 1963, PCC sometimes put on a new night show every a year before settling into a pattern where the latest award-winning productions might run for years and thousands of performances.
![Tahitian section of the PCC night show, 1998; submitted by Don Hayman of Arvada, Colorado](https://legacy.polynesia.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/donhayman2_tahitian98.jpg)
![Tongan section dancers, PCC night show 1970s: That's Efalame Wolfgramm on the left and Suliasi Vea on the right (with Star Lotulelei behind him).](https://legacy.polynesia.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/tongan_men70s.jpg)
![The Samoan section of the night show, mid-1970s.](https://legacy.polynesia.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/samoan_section_mid_70s.jpg)
![Night show finale, 1976s.](https://legacy.polynesia.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/night_show_finale_76s.jpg)
![night-show_performers_promotional_photo](https://legacy.polynesia.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/night-show_performers_promotional_photo-scaled.jpg)
![Luau_2](https://legacy.polynesia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Luau_2.jpg)
![Alii Luau in the Hale Aloha amphitheater, April 28, 2003.](https://legacy.polynesia.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/alii_luau_hale_aloha.jpg)
![Royal court, Alii Luau, present; submitted by Edinalva Rasmussen](https://legacy.polynesia.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/rasmussen_alii_luau_court11.jpg)
![1960s-luau-1](https://legacy.polynesia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/1960s-luau-1.jpeg)
Luau Shows
Sharing the true essence of Aloha through the beauty of a traditional Hawaiian lūʻau.
Matinee shows, daytime activities, & special events
Remembering the many ways we have honored our Polynesian cultures.
![The PCC Promo Team marches in the 1999 Laie Days parade; photo by Mike Foley](https://legacy.polynesia.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/pcc_laie_parade99.jpg)
![PCC Promo Team members, September 1985: (1st row, left-right) Sielu Avea, Varen Berryman, Vini Purcell, John Maka Cummings, Kennan Kanahele, Benny Kai, Lamar Benevides, _______; (2nd row, l-r) Kaleo Requilman...](https://legacy.polynesia.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/promo_team9-85.jpg)
![Promo Team in Tokyo](https://legacy.polynesia.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Promo-Team-in-Tokyo.jpg)
![Maori-night-show-cast-promotional](https://legacy.polynesia.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Maori-night-show-cast-promotional-scaled.jpg)
![The Waikiki Promo Team (left-right): Kim Kaimana, Bernie Toyama, Pi'ilani Johnson and Eliza Kahawaii](https://legacy.polynesia.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/waikiki_promo80s.jpg)
![Promo Team in Tokyo](https://legacy.polynesia.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Promo-Team-in-Tokyo.jpg)
![The PCC Promo Team marches in the 1999 Laie Days parade; photo by Mike Foley](https://legacy.polynesia.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/pcc_laie_parade99.jpg)
![Maori-night-show-cast-promotional](https://legacy.polynesia.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Maori-night-show-cast-promotional-scaled.jpg)
Promo Teams take the PCC to the world
Recognizing how we brought Polynesia to the world in spectacular ways.