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Camakau gets new ‘home’ in Fijian Village
[Reprinted from a 2004 story and photo by Mike Foley] Over 20 years ago the Polynesian Cultural Center commissioned the people of Kabara in Fiji’s Lau Islands archipelago to make a traditional ocean-voyaging canoe. Using only indigenous materials, they handcrafted
Sister Bateman kept quilting for PCC
Sister Helen Ream Bateman, who passed away in 2023 at age 101, started serving as a senior missionary at the Polynesian Cultural Center at age 86 with special permission.
Sione Milford got ‘immersed’ in Tongan culture
[Reprinted from a 2017 PCC blog story and photo by Mike Foley] Sione Milford is currently the Samoan Village “chief,” but when he first came to Laie he worked in the Tongan Village — and some native Tongans didn’t realize
Samoan ‘ambassador’ joins East Coast media blitz
Creasepaul Tofa, a PCC Samoan Village culture “ambassador” learned his skills growing up on the island of Savage.
PCC Executive Chef Tai puts on NFL luau
Felix Tai, who is originally from Malaysia where he first learned to cook from his mother, attended BYU–Hawaii and worked in the Samoa Village before becoming PCC’s executive chef.
‘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.
The “Soul of the Seafarer” and Mark Lee
Everyone knows about the BYU–Hawaii Iosepa canoe in the PCC’s Hawaiian Village . . . but did you know there’s a new 24-foot training canoe patterned after the Iosepa that’s recently been added to the “fleet.”
Center hosts Sāmoa Head of State
[Reprinted from Church News, September 27, 2011] LAIE, Hawaii — The Polynesian Cultural Center hosted the Head of State of Samoa, His Highness Tuiatua Tupua Tamasese Efi, his wife the Masiofo Filifilia Tamasese and traveling party on September 21, 2011, with traditional
Silina Turaga Aina: Growing up at the Center
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.
