Polynesian Cultural Center- Honolulu, HI

The Polynesian Cultural Center is located in Laie. This is a small town of just over 4,500 people in the northeast corner of the Hawaiian island of Oahu, in the county of Honolulu. One hour's drive south from Laie, along the Kamehameha Highway and past some of the most beautiful coastal scenery you are likely to find anywhere, will take you to the world famous beach at Waikiki.

The Polynesian Cultural Center is the top attraction in Honolulu, and in fact, in all of Hawaii. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, popularly known as the Mormons, built the center. It first opened on 12th October 1963. Over 32 million people have already visited this theme park dedicated to the people of Polynesia and their culture.

The park covers an area of 42 acres and is a showcase for the seven distinct Polynesian regions of Hawaii, Fiji, New Zealand (Aotearoa), Tahiti, Samoa, the Marquesas, and Tonga. You can enjoy daily staged performances of ancient Polynesian life.

You can also see demonstrations of craftwork and games, dancing and fire-making. You will be amazed to witness men rapidly climbing up impossibly tall trees, four stories or more in height, with nothing but their bare feet to propel them upwards.

Each Polynesian region is represented by its own village. There is much to see and take in, so don't try to rush it. Take your time and savour the rich culture and native history, the lifestyle and habitats, as well as the renowned warm hospitality of the wonderful people that make up Polynesia.

In addition to the expected cultural displays and performances, there is a thoroughly modern IMAX Theater. One of its features is the spectacular Coral Reef Adventure projected on to a screen 65 feet high and 93 feet wide. This is one movie show that should definitely not be missed. It plays daily at various times between 12.30pm and 5pm.

A less demanding, but no less enjoyable feature will have you relaxing in a leisurely canoe ride along the river that winds through this tropical paradise.

Another feature to be included is the walking tour of Laie. Here you will see the "Taj Mahal of the Pacific," the LDS Hawaii Temple, one of only three worldwide to be modeled exactly from the dimensions of the biblical Solomon's original temple. It was dedicated on Thanksgiving Day in 1919. And if you don't want to walk, you can just hop on a free tram and ride from the Polynesian Cultural Center to the Temple Visitors Center. One runs every 20 minutes.

Also on the walking tour you will see the Brigham Young University of Hawaii. This center of learning educates 2,400 students every year who come from over 70 countries around the world.

The Pageant of the Long Canoes is a story in action of over 5,000 years of Polynesia's history. The pageant takes place every afternoon at 2.30pm on the central lagoon where huge floating platforms drift slowly along carrying fifty or more Polynesian performers who act out their region's history and myths in song and dance.

Getting to this Honolulu attraction is easier than you might think. If you are arriving at Waikiki and you hire a car, you can head north some 35 miles along the Kamehameha Highway until you reach the town of Laie. If you do not have your own transport, there are buses available for a small charge, courtesy of the Polynesian Cultural Center. They have two pickups; one at 10am and the other at 12 noon. The bus ride includes a scenic tour with appropriate narration.