I need objective advice about the Polynesian Cultural Center.

It's true, the PCC was not developed to teach the locals how to make poi. It was developed to provide a financial subsidy to the nearby Mormon missionary college.

I've always enjoyed the PCC. The tours of the different countries are fun and informative. The luau is cheesey, but entertaining. If you've never been to one, you need do it at least once. At the end of each demo, they do thank the audience for supporting their education - a BYU branch next to PCC. No one has ever asked for donations (admission covers that) and never felt obligated to donate or listen to a spiel. That said, there is a "temple" that I've heard, if you go for the tour, is a full on lesson on the Mormon religion.

Read the Fodors thread about the biggest tourist ripoffs. I have never been but many seem to agree that PCC is one of the biggest.

We went both to Waimea Falls and the PCC on a recent trip to Oahu. They are very different places. Waimea Falls is an arboretum and bird sanctuary where you could wander almost alone, whereas the PCC is a theme park with tons of people everywhere. It depends on your taste. If you like Disney parks, you probably will like the PCC. If found it somewhat contrived and I don't like standing in lines and being herded in groups. The nighttime show is good, but doesn't stand out in my mind as one of the highlights of our trip.

wtgirl I am confused here, are you thinking that anyone who does not like the Polynesian Cultural center is not being Objective? I will top my last post. I have been twice, once because it is widely advertised in Hawaii, I gave it a shot and a second time because I thought I had been too hard on it in here. Felt bad about taking business away from Hawaii with rants against. I would not tell someone without children to go to PCC, to be quite honest. When I had my own nieces and nephews on the island I would not take them. I did not want fire walkers puting out fires on their butts to be the impression they were left with about Samoa. You could take kids but talk to them about inappropriate skits. Skits that make the islander a clown. The skits are better now then they were when I went 10 years ago. I Loved the presention in the Maori building and the guide on sight was very informative (July 2003). But they still had the idiot firewalker in the evening show. I was very disappointed I thought it was a dated approach. Takes credibility away from the park if you ask me. Its a theme park though not really a cultural center and there are better examples of hula for free in Waikiki.

If you know what you are getting than sure you can still learn something at PCC. Asking the representatives and guides questions is another way to learn about the respective cultures. I found the representatives on the specific island sights were more informative than the student guide assigned to walk around with us. I got a lot of "I don't know" when asking her very basic historical questions about her home country. I agree with the Waimea falls idea only I think it no longer offers cultural exhibits. I was last there in July03 and that was the case.

You really want to read "the concise history of the Hawaiian Islands". The Hawaii story by Queen Liloukilani. In doing so you will read about historical sights that your travel agent will not refer you too. It won't be fire twirlers and celophan hula skirts but you will be touching Hawaii's past. You will see locals at these sights and where ever reverent exhibits/demonstrations of ancient Hawaii can be found (Bishop Museum).

Hi, I was the one that visited as a 10 year old (see the biggest rip off posts.)

I completely agree with Sarah about the "clownish" feel of some of the activities and shows.

Even at 10, I had the feeling many of the performers were going through the motions and weren't that interested. While I did learn something about Polynesian culture, I felt the skits and shows were more exploitative than cultural. However, having said that, there seem to be many others who have enjoyed this place.

I was surprised at how much it cost reading the intitial post in the "rip off" thread, and I have to say OBJECTIVELY that I don't think what I saw there was worth it.

I did go to Waemea Falls during the same trip and I got much more out of that than the PCC, even though there wasn't as much "information" there.

"I found the representatives on the specific island sights were more informative than the student guide assigned to walk around with us. I got a lot of "I don't know" when asking her very basic historical questions about her home country."

IMHO, this is objective evidence that the place exists primarily as a fundriser rather than for cultural preservation -- even the guides don't know their own country's basic history.

We went last fall (2003) and enjoyed PCC. We saw plenty of other cheesy things in Oahu, but this was a refreshing change. A friend of mine who is Hawaiian had a high opinion of it and urged us to make sure and visit. We found it interesting & a hands-on way to learn about the many different cultures in the islands. We didn't do the meals - just a walk around the grounds one day.

Ok, for one I am not Mormon and didn't realize until all these posts that what I had seen was helping to fund a Mormon educational program. So that certainly isn't a factor when visiting. Obviously I don't pay attention (according to my wife) at my own Lutheran church either (so that is a factor too!

I thought it was similar style to most "touristy" places that are created solely for income, among them DisneyWorld. We did do the luau and thought it was fun, since we had never been to one. Would I go again.... no, not unless going with someone who hadn't been there. Would I recommend going? I don't think its going to knock your socks off... but it had educational value and and some of the "islands" that you visit had some fun shows or programs.

I've actually been surprised to read all the negative reaction to the PCC. I took my 2 children a few years ago (they were about 14 & 11 at the time) and we all enjoyed it. As a matter of fact, my kids wanted to go back again, so we went a 2nd day (free return admission within a certain number of days included in the initial ticket price). We didn't do the luau because my daughter is a very picky eater and I knew I'd just be throwing money away for her meal (plus, she'd be hungry). We did, however, go to the show later and really enjoyed that as well. As far as the complaints about the center benefitting the Mormon religion, I didn't have a problem with that at all. If I hadn't known, in advance, that it was connected to the Mormons, I wouldn't have known from our visit. I understand that there is a tram tour that stops at the Mormon temple, but I chose not to do that, so no problem for me.

btw, ever since we went to PCC, my daughter has got Samoa as one of her top places that she'd like to visit.

Thank you so much! I think I did receive some great objective responses. Sarah, I sure don't think in order to be objective you have to be positive. I just wanted negative views to be supported with facts rather than being an opinionated "it sucked" remark. I have come to the conclusion that I would probably enjoy it. I like Disney.I also like cruise line entertainment everytime they sing "Hot, Hot, Hot" in dining room even after 15 cruises! (ha, a child at heart) But, I also like getting into real culture off the beaten track. I suppose if I take the PCC for what it is then I will have fun. I would love to hear more insight. I think this will be a more informative thread for those thinking of a visit.

I'm not Mormon but have friends who are. As I understand it from them, the PCC had two goals. First, and most important, was creating funding for many of the students from Pacific islands to get an education they would not otherwise get. Second was to preserve and publicise some of the customs and traditions of Pacific islands that were in danger of being lost.

I have not been to the PCC in many years so I cannot comment on the experience now. I do have friends who went this spring and they were impressed by it and by the geniouness of the student actors and guides.

As for the negative comments about it being in business to make a profit, when I took economics in college, I gained the impression that with very few exceptions, EVERY business in the US has as it's primary purpose, profit for its owners.

LOL, dwooddon, your college economics course forgot to mention that as 501(c)3 corporations, churches are forbidden from turning a profit.

There really can't be any doubt that the PCC helps fund the Mormon church in some fashion.

But what really got me was the blatantly prostelitizing we were FORCED to endure when we took that tram tour to the temple. No mention was made of such a thing. We just thought we were going to get a history of the place.

Instead we saw what I can only call an indoctination film into the mormon religion. We were even told to fill out a card at the end of the presentation.

Yes, we could have walked out, but the Temple is so far from the PCC main area, we didn't want to walk.

Anonymous: I, too, am ROTFLMAO. The operations of a 503(c) cannot make a reportable profit; however, 503(c)'s can and do invest in other businesses or their own subsidiaries that are profit making entities as a method of raising funds for their core reason for being.

I don't know if they still hold an ownership position but the Mormon church saved Walt Disney from bankruptcy when he was building Disneyland and owned a 10% interest in it for several years after it opened. That may have been the church itself or it may have been a financial subsidiary. In any event, it was church money.

I also know that many non-profits are only non-profit because they plow what would otherwise be profits back into the purpose for which they are chartered (i.e. education).

I still see nothing wrong with creating a "profit making" attraction to serve a noble purpose such as the PCC. Otherwise, there would not be the many research organizations making profits to benefit universities nor would there be something as simple as my favorite ice cream store at Utah State which plows their profits back into agricultural education programs.

We seem to be hijacking the original poster's question. Maybe we should get back to the tourism value of the PCC.

Yes, you're right, we should. I guess the bottom line is that it's mostly for entertainment and providing employment for the students, rather than for transmitting actual history lessons to the guides. Since wtggirl has already reported-in that she enjoys Disney and cruises, I think she's all set here.

I visited Oahu about 30 years ago and loved the PCC. Since then I have visited the other islands and have seen many wonderful authentic presentations - With that said I visited the island again this summer with my family. I was anxious to take my daughter to the PCC - she's about the same age I was when I first went - she loved it. Parts may seem hokey to some, but there are many authentic presentations that are wonderful to watch - especially if you are visiting with kids. And I never felt like it was a "church" thing. The students always were appreciative - I never saw anyone accept a donation or tip during the day programs. Go and enjoy! Then go visit the North Shore and enjoy the beach!!

If I were taking children, I'd go no earlier than 3 PM, see the Villages, etc., and do the luau or buffet dinner and the wonderful evening show. Just adults? Then I'd go about 5 or so, talk a walk around, have dinner or the luau, and see the show. A whole day there would be way too much, IMO, but the evening show is magnificent!

I've enjoyed the Polynesian Cultural Center. I would love to go again. I loved the luau shows, food, tours, etc.. I'd definitely go again. Surprised there were negative reviews?

I plan on taking my daughter over next week. It's one of those things you may want to see once. Very show like though.

I was curious about the negative comments about the PCC and Mormon proselytizing. I looked up the PCC website and the only thing that I could see that was obviously Mormon related in their offerings was the visit to the BYU Hawaii campus and the Mormon temple. This tour (Laie tour) is one offering among several included in various packages and, I would imagine, you could opt to skip this particular tour if you wished.

I am not Mormon, but I've had several friends (including boyfriends) who have been Mormon. I've never been pressured to convert or to even consider converting. As a matter of fact, it's one of their religious beliefs that you must decide for yourself if you want to learn more and if you belief -- someone can't convince/convert you. Based on that, I would have had serious doubts that they would have forced proselytizing on anyone -- maybe an informational video about the religion with an invitation to fill out a card if you want more info, but nothing more. If you don't want to do that, then don't go on the Laie tour. Personally, I'd skip it and spend more time wandering the grounds.

Our experience with the PCC and the prostelization of Mormon religion disagrees with the above. Ostensibly we were on a tram from one village to another when it detoured to the temple and we were ushered in w/o telling us aforehand what this was all about. we then were shown a film about the Mormon faith and asked to fill out forms leaving our home addresses and phone #'s. Hard to skip this one given the way it was presented. Maybe things have changed since then. I hope so. JM2C.

Our experience was the same as jacketwatch's. It is my one lasting impression of PCC.

Visited the PCC in September of 2003. We opted for the day pass without luau. With the entertainment book discount it cost us $18 for two people, hardley a rip-off.
Even though the PCC is run by the Mormon Church I found the expeirence to be enjoyable. Tell me of any other group that is trying to preserve the polynesian culture on the island. We chose to not do a luau there because it is dry(no alcohol), instead we went to Paradise Cove Luau and enjoyed ourselves with their gitzy entertaiment and yes Mai Tai's.

Mike there are groups all over the islands trying to preserve Hawaiian culture. You need only visit the Bishop Museum, phone up the Hawaii Cultural Foundation, branches all over Hawaii and the continental U.S. Countless others also, schools, churches, communities, Halaus (hula schools).Its been an important development in contemporary Hawaiian culture since 1970's. This preservation of Hawaii's past. Senator Daniel Innouye just opened the national american indian museum in Washington D.C. last week. He was one of the first senators to back the museum, native Hawaiians were his impetus. Just an FYI there are many groups working to preserve Hawaiian culture.

My sister-in-law is Mormon and went to BYU Laie AND worked at PCC. As did another friend of mine who is not Mormon.

PCC is one of the biggest money making tourist attractions on Oahu. I live here and I love it. I take all visiting friends and family as we all feel the night show is THE BEST on any of the islands. All of my family agrees - even those that go off and do other shows on other islands.

Also, while I may not personally like all the villages - those visiting from the mainland get to see and learn a lot about the different polynesian cultures. Keep in mind that a very large part of the people that work at PCC (the actors, not the guides) are from these areas that they represent. Many of the performers are the best at what they do. And are highly sought after in different parts of the world.

I've done a few TV interviews with some of the dancer, carvers and others and these are genuine, honest, hard working people that seem to truely be interested in educating people about their culture.

The friends I know that work there are usually tour guides or work in the gift shop, etc. The performers are mostly professionals - some are students...but not that many.

As for the religious side of it. I've taken a total of 6 different groups to PCC over the last 4 years and have NEVER heard of a tram being mysteriously taken to the temple. I've been on the trams my self! I don't know what tour you folks took, but I'm sure it was noted that a stop would be made at the temple.

I am not an LDS member, but I have been to many LDS places and ya know what - when they ask to send the book of Mormon to your house - guess what? All you have to do is smile and say no thank you. It's that easy folks!

I don't know if PCC changed their policies in the last 5 years or so, but I have never seen anyone try to get names or numbers in the park or have that involved with the park. If you opt to take a tour of the temple, well, guess what - you are fair game at that point!

Sorry to be so angry about this. But having lived on Oahu and dealt with many of the other tourist traps out there, I feel that the majority of the people at PCC are honest, friendly and go way out of their way to make you feel welcome.

Denise

I've never been preached to there either. And believe me I wouldn't go if it was like that. The only reason you notice it's Mormon is you can't get a real Coke.

on the bus there we passed the pineapple maze. we always regretted wasting the money at the pcc and not doing the maze instead...

ps. mormon thing didn't seem to be an issue - only thing you noticed the lack of caffeine. i'm kind of anti-religion (not particular to any individual one), so i would have noticed.

I guess this all comes down to "taste" in activities. For all those we've taken to PCC and the Pineapple maze, without fail, every one of them come out of the maze shaking their heads and saying "this was the dumbest thing I've ever been to."

So there ya go! Just a matter of taste.

Denise

To Denise: The temple stop was not, I say again pre-noted. The tram was simply taking a group from one place to another. Maybe they don't do that anymore, maybe it was atypical but it did happen just that way. There was 6 of us and we all felt like this was a religious sales pitch. Glad things have appaently changed.

Happened to me too jacketwatch but 9 years ago. Wrote about it in the fodors activities section.

Interesting Sarah. It was 9 yrs. ago for us as well. Maybe it was more routine then. Larry

Larry they told us we were going to a Historical Hawaiian Temple. I think we pushed people out of the way trying to secure a seat. LOL I was showing the park to someone from Britain. I get fierce when I am the tour guide LOL. It was a crack up because we were left at the sight with no option to return for 15 minutes. Suffer the Sun/heat or listen to a mormon history lecture in air-conditioning. EVERYONE WAS GRUMPY ABOUT THIS. I suspect they got a fair number of complaints and considered a new strategy.

I went to the PCC years ago and think that once is enough. It's artificial and contrived, but so is Disneyland.

A couple of years ago, I went to an evening show put on by the Samoan community in Los Angeles. The performance was at the Getty Center. I found this performance much, much more authentic and therefore far more enjoyable than the PCC.

IMHO, the PCC scratches only the surface of Polynesian culture.

I have been going back/forth now for weeks trying to decide if we will actually go. I am the type to spend extra money to get a good show seat, so I know we will be spending over $100.00 a piece to go- therefore it is a big decision. With all these great view points I now feel I HAVE to go just to see for myself who's view I will be taking. So, stay tuned and check back at the end of October to see what I thought! I should mention that I am a pretty open minded person and can reason that tourist attractions are not meant to appeal to everyone- so I will have as non-biased of a review as possible. Thanks again for all the input!

Sarah: A "Historical Hawaiian Temple" eh. . It sounds like what happened with us except our time was in the evening and cooler. Was this a practice cancelled due to complaints as you have surmised? Could very well be. Some yrs. back I complained to Apple vacations about the aggressive, hawkish timeshare sales persons at the hotel we stayed in in Puerto Vallarta. I actually complained to the hotel manager who pleaded with me to complain to the hotel corporate office and Apple because of all the complaints he was receiving. Apple apparently had received plenty of complaints and sent me a letter they drafted to be sent to all their clients going to Mexico to be wary of these types. Sometimes complaints do help. Cheers, Larry.

IMO, there is no need to spend extra to get preferred seating at the show. We did sit right in front and I believe we would have had a better view sitting higher up. All the seats are fine. The show is set up so that all sides in the U-shape get the same view.

The PCC is, no doubt, commercialized and sometimes cheesy, but it is also informative and entertaining. We found it a great introduction to the islands, having known very little about Polynesia beforehand. I would definitely recommend it to first time visitors, with the following caveats: don't take the tram tour to campus; there are better places to see a luau; the native food buffet option is not good. Do visit the villages (except the missionary compound, if you're short on time); watch the canoe pageant; and see the night show. Finally, don't get a tour guide; just talk with the people in each of the villages who are very knowledgable and interesting.

Okay! I am back from my trip and I have posted a full review of my trip under a thread titled "oahu report". Below is my a review of my day at the PCC.

Day 4- Polynesian Cultural Center
On this day, we had the only full day of rain during our trip! We paid to take the bus transportation thank goodness. The bus trip up the windward side of the island was not as scenic as I had hoped so we vowed to drive back when we received our car rental. We purchased the Ambassadors package with the deluxe meal rather than the luau. I have seen the Old Lahaina Luau in Maui and I decided I did not need to see another one since the Horizons show was directly after anyway. We were given upgraded leis which were nice and then placed front row for the canoe pageant. The rain actually stopped during the show and it was really pretty nice. Then it was a good thing we had a guide because with the downpours our guide timed us just right to arrive at the different islands at the right time to see the shows under cover! I actually did learn a few things. Did you know that Tonga is the only Polynesian nation still under dictatorship of a king? Dinner time seemed to come around rather quick. The buffet was really good! We had unlimited prime rib and snow crab legs. I skipped dessert because our package included the pineapple delight during the show. The show was good, and our seats in the 7th row center perfect. The show was Broadway quality of course, but I would give it a B on set, sound and performance. Our return to the hotel was smooth and timely. I recommend purchasing the transfers if you don?t have a car.

Sooooo, as you can see my day went well and although it was not the highlight of my trip I would recommend it for someone with a week or more in Oahu. I would not recommend it for someone with just a few days there. Thanks again for all the feedback on this subject!!!

OOPS- I meant to say the show was NOT broadway quality of course!

Sorry, but the "upgraded leis" really cracked me up! That pretty much sums it up for me why I would not recommend the PCC - it's a moneymaking deal for them, pure and simple. You can go to the Bishop Museum just outside of downtown Honolulu (Kalihi area) and learn just as much about the Polynesian people. I don't know what it costs now, but certainly nowhere near PCC's cost.

When I lived in Oahu and was writing for a newspaper there, I was given a free day at PCC to write an article about it. It was FREE and it was a big waste of time in my opinion.