TALK STORY

Larry G. Nielson, the Polynesian Cultural Center’s very first stage manager in what is now the Hale Aloha, brought an impressive list of talents with him when he became one of the PCC’s earliest employees in 1962.

Tekura Tamatoa Traill, a proud Cook Islander raised in Auckland, New Zealand, recently graduated from BYU–Hawaii and returned home after four transformative years working at the Polynesian Cultural Center. From learning Māori dance for the first time to meeting global friends—and even her husband—her journey reflects the deep cultural and personal growth made possible through the IWES program.

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.