Polynesian Cultural Center
Polynesian Cultural Center
4.5
12:45 PM - 8:45 PM
Monday
12:45 PM - 8:45 PM
Tuesday
12:45 PM - 8:45 PM
Thursday
12:45 PM - 8:45 PM
Friday
12:45 PM - 8:45 PM
Saturday
12:45 PM - 8:45 PM
About
The Polynesian Cultural Center, voted the #1 attraction in Hawaiʻi by USA Today, is located along the famous North Shore of Oʻahu. Explore 42 acres of tropical splendor featuring 6 authentic villages representing the island cultures of Hawaiʻi, Fiji, Aotearoa (New Zealand), Samoa, Tahiti, and Tonga. Mingle with Pacific Islanders as they share the majesty of their culture through music, dance and traditional hands-on activities. Our most popular dining option is the award-winning Aliʻi Lūʻau. This royal feast blends a delicious array of island themed dishes with the excitement of authentic Hawaiian entertainment. Finish your adventure though the power of “HĀ: Breath of Life,” an action-packed evening show. Ignited by fire, song and dance featuring over 100 Polynesian performers, this story of passion will make your day a truly unforgettable experience. The Polynesian Cultural Center: all of Polynesia in one exciting place.
Suggested duration
More than 3 hours
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See what travelers are saying
- Asgar LemafaAuckland, New Zealand16 contributions🤙🏾🤙🏾🤙🏾Was a awesome day at PCC with the family. Was great to get amongst the different cultures and learn something new from each village. We purchased the Ambassador pass/package which provided us with a tour guide and a late dinner. Ambassador package isn’t necessary as you could explore the different villages on your own and move around on your own terms. The breathe of life show at the end of the day was just 👌🏽 Definitely a great place to spend the day with the family/friends to explore the different villages and just to get amongst the aloha and family spirit that the PCC students offer. Our bus tour guide to PCC was really entertaining and made the 1 hour 1/2 trip feel like 10 minutes, shout out to him 👏🏽 Highly recommend PCC! Mahalo 🤙🏾Visited March 2020Traveled with familyWritten April 18, 2020
- nimeriaYardley, Pennsylvania44 contributionsSuper ambassador package- completely worth it!Worth every cent!! I decided to splurg a little and upgraded our family to the super ambassador package when I heard that the PCC is similar to Disneyland. My son has special needs and I definitely didn’t want to make a plan/strategy to maneuver 42 acres of the PCCC. It’s my vacation too, right? We were blessed to have Emilio has our personal guide. He was wonderful! He made sure we had the best seats for the shows, engaged all of us to activities in between walking to the different villages (we can now play the ukulele, make fire with bamboo/coconut husk and clumsily dance with poi balls!). He made sure to never make us wait for more than 5min for a show. Most importantly, he was incredibly kind and patient to my son. Who knew an 11yr old boy could love learning about Polynesian cultures for 9hours straight? We even loved the Ali’i luau & Ha breath of life (front and center!). The seats Emilio got us was amazing and we definitely felt the Aloha spirit all day. Perfect day!Visited February 2020Traveled with familyWritten February 9, 2020
- Cara M10 contributionsCircle Island Tour guide was awful but the experience made it worth itThe Ha: Breath of Life show was spectacular and made up for the awful tour guide we had that day. Instead of the Circle Island Tour I would recommend renting a car and going to the centre on your own so you don’t have to deal with time limits on stops and the potential of having a horrible guide. At the start of the tour the guide yelled at us to get our party of 8 together but we were all lined up separately because we had to move from one bus to another bus. The drivers had several stops to make at different hotels and so our first driver said he was meeting our actual driver and helping him with pick ups. The guide talked all the way but we couldn’t understand him because of the awful sound system. He also didn’t provide much information as he just talked about his life before in Vegas. On the other hand our guide at the centre was great she made sure we made it on time to the villages for the performances. I would say that I didn’t realize the centre was owned by Mormon’s until after we went to the centre so I am glad the religion wasn’t pushed on us at all. Again the evening show with the fire was amazing so if nothing else go to that show!Visited January 2020Traveled with familyWritten January 5, 2020
- Qoss143 contributionsBoomer Beefcake ReviewI brought my mom & mother-in-law (both mid 70's) on a breezy, sunny, Valentine's Day, arriving at 2:30 for the canoe parade and staying through the included buffet dinner and the "Ha" show. We had a delightful time together, but I was grateful I left my teens and husband behind at the beach to boogie board. There is a cringey 1950's sense of humor prevalent in the shows that undermined anything "culturally educational" about the place for me. (Visit the excellent Bishop Museum for that instead!) On the plus side, the food was yummy, the fire sequence at the end of "Ha" was impressive, the place is immaculately clean and compact, and there were a lot of buff, barechested male performers working very hard to keep us entertained. This being a Mormon enterprise, the female performers (also hard working) were relatively covered up, and I found that quite refreshing. No alcohol is served, so the crowd is very well behaved. The staff was friendly and earnest, if sometimes clueless when giving directions. Initially, I almost couldn't bring myself to buy tickets online because it gets quite complicated and pricey once you entertain the various Luau options. But thank you to the TA posters who said the basic admission is all you really need or want. If you are staying on the North Shore, just call and ask about a late entry ticket. In short, bring the grandparents and/or the kids under 7. Not a good bet for tweens/teens/young adults.Visited February 2020Written March 3, 2020
- Traveler M74 contributionsWell worth a visit to learn more about Polynesian cultureIt was wonderful to be able to experience the culture of various Polynesian islands through the center's activities. It might seem like a steep price tag for admission at first, but the ticket gains you access to various mini-shows, presentations, and stands where staff explain the culture to you in a kind of open-air museum format. All luaus throughout the Hawaiian islands seemed to be booked during our visit, so visiting the center was a great chance to learn more about Polynesian cultures, and since many of the staff perform at local luaus we perhaps got a taste of what we would have experienced. We especially enjoyed renewing our vows at a traditional Tahitian ceremony, the boat ride through the park with our guide Alex from the island of California(!) and the Samoan presentation.Visited June 2021Written June 27, 2021
- Emily I79 contributionsGreat day full of history and cultureOn a trip mostly made up of diving and hiking, this was a great break the day before I left. Traffic was absolutely HORRIBLE getting there, but once we arrived we had a great time. By far the things I enjoyed most during the day were the presentation at Fiji, the Carver's workshop, and the Iosepa presentation/activity. The night show was really great as well! The presentation of all the history of the polynesian islands and their culture was amazing. If you book a package that does not have a tour guide, I HIGHLY recommend downloading the PCC app. They have a lot more information available at various QR codes around each of the islands. We had originally booked the Ail'i Luau package with the 4pm Luau but ended up skipping the Luau to explore more of the islands. We did not regret this decision at all. If I was to go back, which I 100% would, I would book either the basic admission and night show package or the ambassador package to have the 6pm Luau and a guide throughout the day.Visited February 2020Traveled with friendsWritten February 18, 2020
- bosoxpride101Fremont, California249 contributionsA Must visit for new Hawaiian visitorsYes it's a tourist trap and it's over priced, yet I still found the experience enjoyable on my 3rd visit to this theme park. The bus ride (80-90 min) was quite pleasant as we caught a glimpse of the natural beauties of Hawaii, from majestic mountain ridges (Jurassic Park) to pristine and tourists-free beaches in North Shores, it was a great getaway from the bustles of Waikiki main strip. We got the day pass which included dinner buffet, the luau dinner show were sold out long ago. We managed to survive the brutal sun and made our way around the park, visited all the theme Islands (Fuji, Tonga, Somoa, etc...) and enjoyed most of the shows and interactive activities. Our favorite was def the Somoans: climbing coconut trees, fire stick juggling, the incredibly entertaining show put on by the Kap and his crew. other cool activities included the gondola ride, the ukulele lesson, as well as the spear throwing experience in Tonga. Buffet dinner was better than we expected, highlights being the pork and the panna cotta dessert....haha. Guests were allowed to go directly to each station to get their refills, as long as they don a pair of paper thin plastic gloves. The evening show (Breath of Life) was adequate albeit slow and boring until the end when all the fire dancers came out and put on a dazzling spectacle. Social distance was adequately enforced as sections and rows were blocked off. It was pleasant and we were comfy wearing only shorts, we had to fend off some marauding mosquitos but they managed to score some direct hits. The directions for pick up was simple and straight forward, but the return leg was chaotic and reminiscent of the idiocy we saw for Hawaiian Airline. We were not assigned the same bus nor the same driver on the way back. After the evening show hundreds of people streamed out of the park and swarmed into the parking lot where the buses awaited. Unfortunately all the buses looked the same, they had no marks that distinguished one from another, nor any signs that indicated their respective route/drop off points. Each driver basically had a list of names that were supposed to pick up. We literally went from bus to bus asking each driver if we are on their list. It was so inefficient and ill-conceived, the same genius who schemed up the boarding process for Hawaiian Airline no doubt also employs here.Visited June 2021Traveled with friendsWritten June 1, 2021
- Daniel T4 contributionsA wonderful experience in a nice, clean environment with people proud to show their heritage.My wife and I have been to the Polynesian Cultural Center before and have loved it. While you can make it an afternoon and evening experience, we made it a late afternoon experience this time. Students from BYU Hawaii help to do authentic shows about the Pacific Islands, including Tonga, Samoa, Hawaii, Fiji and New Zealand. These are polished performances and presentations. The people that work there are incredibly friendly and nice, always saying hello, always ready to give you directions... The packages they offer for tickets are multiple, at multiple price ranges. Whatever you do there, staying for the night show called Ha: The Breath of Life is a must for us! It’s very well done, polished, interesting and inspiring. They have a nice luau, which is reasonably priced for what you get. Note: If you think the prices may be a little steep, remind yourself that if you were in Waikiki, doing the equivalent and visiting the same presentations and performances, a luau and an amazing night show, you would probably be spending more. They have transportation from Waikiki for a reasonable additional fee but if you’re renting a car anyway, it’s easy enough to drive there and back - and free parking! See the IMAX movie, too - it’s fun and you may opt to see it twice if it’s hot!Visited January 2020Written January 20, 2020
- ChrisHFrederick, Maryland477 contributionsInteresting place but constant upsellsTwo adults visited the PCC on a hot Tuesday in early February and enjoyed it. We combined the visit with the on-site luau and show in the evening. We used the GoOahu card for tickets but upgraded to Ambassador class for reserved seating and later mealtime (6pm versus 4pm) along with round trip transportation for about $55 per person. Debated whether to rate 4 or 5 stars, but even though the luau and show was 5 stars, couldn't give the rest of the site that high a rating. Bus pickup was on time near our hotel at 10am. Constant upsell on bus to upgrade our package to next level. Other than that, the bus tour guide was great. Funny and full of facts. Got there and turns out have over ½ hour before park opens--chance to purchase food or gifts (continues constantly all day). About $9 for a toasted tuna melt, no drinks. Ambassador tickets mean a small group guided tour of the PCC. No rhyme or reason to tour. Practically ran through 2 villages. Then had to wait 40 minutes for the main canoe show. While waiting, extremely hard sell for food and drinks. $10 for a pineapple smoothie! Feel sorry for the tour guides that are forced to do this upsell. Place was packed for this show that lasted about 25 minutes. Nice show. The Samoan village was the best with their show. No time to stop for any other activities afterwards as we had to have a 5 minute break for snacks/upsell and rest rooms. How much can people eat? The luau food was great. Some of the most tender pork we have ever had. There was a Hawaiian show during the dinner that was nice. The "Ha Breath of Life" show in the theater was just amazing. Nonstop dancing and singing. The finale fire act was mesmerizing. Well worth the admission price. BTW, the Ambassador upgrade we purchased was worth it to us for the tour, meal time and show seat location.Visited February 2020Written March 1, 2020
- Vivian44 contributionsQuite an interesting experienceWe bought the super ambassador package, though I arrived a bit late, you can hardly complete all 6 islands in one day as dinner starts about 5:30, and dinner comes with a show too. It is great to have a personal guide since you won’t have to jiggling between islands to catch up with different shows, the drum show was funny, so is the show from Fiji island. If you don’t mind to wait in the line to be seated, regular package probably is fine, the advantage of super and ambassador is you have reserved seats and your tour guide will take you right there when the show is about to begin, however each place isn’t full, even if you don’t have a front row seat, you can still watch the show without any problem. But as a super ambassador, they do take care of you though out the day by your guide. The tour guides are the international students from the university nearby(forgot the name), they are young and fun, a good choice. If I would expect more would be the dinner, the roast pork tastes ok, perhaps prime rib dinner might be a better choice. If you would like to learn the Polynesian culture, this is the place to go. The night show was quite good, especially the fire play, awesome!Visited February 2020Traveled as a coupleWritten February 22, 2020
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Qoss
Norwalk, CT143 contributions
Feb 2020
I brought my mom & mother-in-law (both mid 70's) on a breezy, sunny, Valentine's Day, arriving at 2:30 for the canoe parade and staying through the included buffet dinner and the "Ha" show. We had a delightful time together, but I was grateful I left my teens and husband behind at the beach to boogie board. There is a cringey 1950's sense of humor prevalent in the shows that undermined anything "culturally educational" about the place for me. (Visit the excellent Bishop Museum for that instead!)
On the plus side, the food was yummy, the fire sequence at the end of "Ha" was impressive, the place is immaculately clean and compact, and there were a lot of buff, barechested male performers working very hard to keep us entertained. This being a Mormon enterprise, the female performers (also hard working) were relatively covered up, and I found that quite refreshing. No alcohol is served, so the crowd is very well behaved. The staff was friendly and earnest, if sometimes clueless when giving directions.
Initially, I almost couldn't bring myself to buy tickets online because it gets quite complicated and pricey once you entertain the various Luau options. But thank you to the TA posters who said the basic admission is all you really need or want. If you are staying on the North Shore, just call and ask about a late entry ticket.
In short, bring the grandparents and/or the kids under 7. Not a good bet for tweens/teens/young adults.
On the plus side, the food was yummy, the fire sequence at the end of "Ha" was impressive, the place is immaculately clean and compact, and there were a lot of buff, barechested male performers working very hard to keep us entertained. This being a Mormon enterprise, the female performers (also hard working) were relatively covered up, and I found that quite refreshing. No alcohol is served, so the crowd is very well behaved. The staff was friendly and earnest, if sometimes clueless when giving directions.
Initially, I almost couldn't bring myself to buy tickets online because it gets quite complicated and pricey once you entertain the various Luau options. But thank you to the TA posters who said the basic admission is all you really need or want. If you are staying on the North Shore, just call and ask about a late entry ticket.
In short, bring the grandparents and/or the kids under 7. Not a good bet for tweens/teens/young adults.
Written March 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Traveler M
Capers Bend74 contributions
Jun 2021
It was wonderful to be able to experience the culture of various Polynesian islands through the center's activities. It might seem like a steep price tag for admission at first, but the ticket gains you access to various mini-shows, presentations, and stands where staff explain the culture to you in a kind of open-air museum format. All luaus throughout the Hawaiian islands seemed to be booked during our visit, so visiting the center was a great chance to learn more about Polynesian cultures, and since many of the staff perform at local luaus we perhaps got a taste of what we would have experienced. We especially enjoyed renewing our vows at a traditional Tahitian ceremony, the boat ride through the park with our guide Alex from the island of California(!) and the Samoan presentation.
Written June 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emily I
79 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
On a trip mostly made up of diving and hiking, this was a great break the day before I left. Traffic was absolutely HORRIBLE getting there, but once we arrived we had a great time.
By far the things I enjoyed most during the day were the presentation at Fiji, the Carver's workshop, and the Iosepa presentation/activity. The night show was really great as well! The presentation of all the history of the polynesian islands and their culture was amazing. If you book a package that does not have a tour guide, I HIGHLY recommend downloading the PCC app. They have a lot more information available at various QR codes around each of the islands.
We had originally booked the Ail'i Luau package with the 4pm Luau but ended up skipping the Luau to explore more of the islands. We did not regret this decision at all. If I was to go back, which I 100% would, I would book either the basic admission and night show package or the ambassador package to have the 6pm Luau and a guide throughout the day.
By far the things I enjoyed most during the day were the presentation at Fiji, the Carver's workshop, and the Iosepa presentation/activity. The night show was really great as well! The presentation of all the history of the polynesian islands and their culture was amazing. If you book a package that does not have a tour guide, I HIGHLY recommend downloading the PCC app. They have a lot more information available at various QR codes around each of the islands.
We had originally booked the Ail'i Luau package with the 4pm Luau but ended up skipping the Luau to explore more of the islands. We did not regret this decision at all. If I was to go back, which I 100% would, I would book either the basic admission and night show package or the ambassador package to have the 6pm Luau and a guide throughout the day.
Written February 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bosoxpride101
Fremont, CA249 contributions
Jun 2021 • Friends
Yes it's a tourist trap and it's over priced, yet I still found the experience enjoyable on my 3rd visit to this theme park.
The bus ride (80-90 min) was quite pleasant as we caught a glimpse of the natural beauties of Hawaii, from majestic mountain ridges (Jurassic Park) to pristine and tourists-free beaches in North Shores, it was a great getaway from the bustles of Waikiki main strip.
We got the day pass which included dinner buffet, the luau dinner show were sold out long ago. We managed to survive the brutal sun and made our way around the park, visited all the theme Islands (Fuji, Tonga, Somoa, etc...) and enjoyed most of the shows and interactive activities. Our favorite was def the Somoans: climbing coconut trees, fire stick juggling, the incredibly entertaining show put on by the Kap and his crew. other cool activities included the gondola ride, the ukulele lesson, as well as the spear throwing experience in Tonga.
Buffet dinner was better than we expected, highlights being the pork and the panna cotta dessert....haha. Guests were allowed to go directly to each station to get their refills, as long as they don a pair of paper thin plastic gloves.
The evening show (Breath of Life) was adequate albeit slow and boring until the end when all the fire dancers came out and put on a dazzling spectacle. Social distance was adequately enforced as sections and rows were blocked off. It was pleasant and we were comfy wearing only shorts, we had to fend off some marauding mosquitos but they managed to score some direct hits.
The directions for pick up was simple and straight forward, but the return leg was chaotic and reminiscent of the idiocy we saw for Hawaiian Airline. We were not assigned the same bus nor the same driver on the way back. After the evening show hundreds of people streamed out of the park and swarmed into the parking lot where the buses awaited. Unfortunately all the buses looked the same, they had no marks that distinguished one from another, nor any signs that indicated their respective route/drop off points. Each driver basically had a list of names that were supposed to pick up. We literally went from bus to bus asking each driver if we are on their list. It was so inefficient and ill-conceived, the same genius who schemed up the boarding process for Hawaiian Airline no doubt also employs here.
The bus ride (80-90 min) was quite pleasant as we caught a glimpse of the natural beauties of Hawaii, from majestic mountain ridges (Jurassic Park) to pristine and tourists-free beaches in North Shores, it was a great getaway from the bustles of Waikiki main strip.
We got the day pass which included dinner buffet, the luau dinner show were sold out long ago. We managed to survive the brutal sun and made our way around the park, visited all the theme Islands (Fuji, Tonga, Somoa, etc...) and enjoyed most of the shows and interactive activities. Our favorite was def the Somoans: climbing coconut trees, fire stick juggling, the incredibly entertaining show put on by the Kap and his crew. other cool activities included the gondola ride, the ukulele lesson, as well as the spear throwing experience in Tonga.
Buffet dinner was better than we expected, highlights being the pork and the panna cotta dessert....haha. Guests were allowed to go directly to each station to get their refills, as long as they don a pair of paper thin plastic gloves.
The evening show (Breath of Life) was adequate albeit slow and boring until the end when all the fire dancers came out and put on a dazzling spectacle. Social distance was adequately enforced as sections and rows were blocked off. It was pleasant and we were comfy wearing only shorts, we had to fend off some marauding mosquitos but they managed to score some direct hits.
The directions for pick up was simple and straight forward, but the return leg was chaotic and reminiscent of the idiocy we saw for Hawaiian Airline. We were not assigned the same bus nor the same driver on the way back. After the evening show hundreds of people streamed out of the park and swarmed into the parking lot where the buses awaited. Unfortunately all the buses looked the same, they had no marks that distinguished one from another, nor any signs that indicated their respective route/drop off points. Each driver basically had a list of names that were supposed to pick up. We literally went from bus to bus asking each driver if we are on their list. It was so inefficient and ill-conceived, the same genius who schemed up the boarding process for Hawaiian Airline no doubt also employs here.
Written June 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Daniel T
4 contributions
Jan 2020
My wife and I have been to the Polynesian Cultural Center before and have loved it. While you can make it an afternoon and evening experience, we made it a late afternoon experience this time. Students from BYU Hawaii help to do authentic shows about the Pacific Islands, including Tonga, Samoa, Hawaii, Fiji and New Zealand. These are polished performances and presentations. The people that work there are incredibly friendly and nice, always saying hello, always ready to give you directions... The packages they offer for tickets are multiple, at multiple price ranges. Whatever you do there, staying for the night show called Ha: The Breath of Life is a must for us! It’s very well done, polished, interesting and inspiring. They have a nice luau, which is reasonably priced for what you get. Note: If you think the prices may be a little steep, remind yourself that if you were in Waikiki, doing the equivalent and visiting the same presentations and performances, a luau and an amazing night show, you would probably be spending more. They have transportation from Waikiki for a reasonable additional fee but if you’re renting a car anyway, it’s easy enough to drive there and back - and free parking! See the IMAX movie, too - it’s fun and you may opt to see it twice if it’s hot!
Written January 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ChrisH
Frederick, MD477 contributions
Feb 2020
Two adults visited the PCC on a hot Tuesday in early February and enjoyed it. We combined the visit with the on-site luau and show in the evening. We used the GoOahu card for tickets but upgraded to Ambassador class for reserved seating and later mealtime (6pm versus 4pm) along with round trip transportation for about $55 per person. Debated whether to rate 4 or 5 stars, but even though the luau and show was 5 stars, couldn't give the rest of the site that high a rating.
Bus pickup was on time near our hotel at 10am. Constant upsell on bus to upgrade our package to next level. Other than that, the bus tour guide was great. Funny and full of facts.
Got there and turns out have over ½ hour before park opens--chance to purchase food or gifts (continues constantly all day). About $9 for a toasted tuna melt, no drinks.
Ambassador tickets mean a small group guided tour of the PCC. No rhyme or reason to tour. Practically ran through 2 villages. Then had to wait 40 minutes for the main canoe show. While waiting, extremely hard sell for food and drinks. $10 for a pineapple smoothie! Feel sorry for the tour guides that are forced to do this upsell. Place was packed for this show that lasted about 25 minutes. Nice show.
The Samoan village was the best with their show. No time to stop for any other activities afterwards as we had to have a 5 minute break for snacks/upsell and rest rooms. How much can people eat?
The luau food was great. Some of the most tender pork we have ever had. There was a Hawaiian show during the dinner that was nice.
The "Ha Breath of Life" show in the theater was just amazing. Nonstop dancing and singing. The finale fire act was mesmerizing. Well worth the admission price. BTW, the Ambassador upgrade we purchased was worth it to us for the tour, meal time and show seat location.
Bus pickup was on time near our hotel at 10am. Constant upsell on bus to upgrade our package to next level. Other than that, the bus tour guide was great. Funny and full of facts.
Got there and turns out have over ½ hour before park opens--chance to purchase food or gifts (continues constantly all day). About $9 for a toasted tuna melt, no drinks.
Ambassador tickets mean a small group guided tour of the PCC. No rhyme or reason to tour. Practically ran through 2 villages. Then had to wait 40 minutes for the main canoe show. While waiting, extremely hard sell for food and drinks. $10 for a pineapple smoothie! Feel sorry for the tour guides that are forced to do this upsell. Place was packed for this show that lasted about 25 minutes. Nice show.
The Samoan village was the best with their show. No time to stop for any other activities afterwards as we had to have a 5 minute break for snacks/upsell and rest rooms. How much can people eat?
The luau food was great. Some of the most tender pork we have ever had. There was a Hawaiian show during the dinner that was nice.
The "Ha Breath of Life" show in the theater was just amazing. Nonstop dancing and singing. The finale fire act was mesmerizing. Well worth the admission price. BTW, the Ambassador upgrade we purchased was worth it to us for the tour, meal time and show seat location.
Written March 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vivian
44 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
We bought the super ambassador package, though I arrived a bit late, you can hardly complete all 6 islands in one day as dinner starts about 5:30, and dinner comes with a show too. It is great to have a personal guide since you won’t have to jiggling between islands to catch up with different shows, the drum show was funny, so is the show from Fiji island. If you don’t mind to wait in the line to be seated, regular package probably is fine, the advantage of super and ambassador is you have reserved seats and your tour guide will take you right there when the show is about to begin, however each place isn’t full, even if you don’t have a front row seat, you can still watch the show without any problem. But as a super ambassador, they do take care of you though out the day by your guide. The tour guides are the international students from the university nearby(forgot the name), they are young and fun, a good choice. If I would expect more would be the dinner, the roast pork tastes ok, perhaps prime rib dinner might be a better choice. If you would like to learn the Polynesian culture, this is the place to go. The night show was quite good, especially the fire play, awesome!
Written February 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Larry M
Vancouver, Canada370 contributions
Jan 2022
First, the overview. This theme park is a series of six “villages” representing Poly and Micronesian culture. There are ½ - ¾ hour “shows” at each village scheduled intermittently over the afternoon; in addition, there are three or four “activities” at each village where you participate informally in small groups playing games, learning crafts, etc. If you wanted to absolutely everything, you’d probably want to stay two days; most people won’t. That said, if doing the one-day thing, I’d recommend being there when the venue opens early in the afternoon – there’s enough to do. Your ticket is good for three days, but note that the venue is closed Wednesday and Sunday, so plan accordingly. If staying, the Marriott Courtyard is a good choice. The PCC website pushes a number of packages; based on Trip Advisor reports, we passed on the packages in favour of the cheaper general admission, and missing the luau (or buffet) and evening activity, but eating at Pounder’s restaurant (which, like the rest of Laie, is dry - be forewarned!).
Written February 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
etohelp
Frankfort, IL119 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
We only saw 3 island shows because we arrive a little bit late from traffic... The best show that we saw was the one of Samoa. The dinner buffet is good , fairly extensive variety including salads, hot foods, desserts, fruits ice cream. The hall where they have their buffet is quite impressive ...this is a huge room very nicely decorated.. the evening show was nice but a little bit too long. The tram ride tour that goes around the property is not worth doing unless you are interested in seeing the LDS temple
Written February 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carolynne A
Oakville, Canada127 contributions
Feb 2022
Overall we had a great time at the Polynesian Cultural Center. We took a semi-private guided tour (which I recommend because the place is really big with lots to see) and our guide, like all of the guides, was a student at the BYU school next door. There's too much to see in one day, but with the guide, we were able to catch most of the better and more interesting shows/demonstrations. All of the people working in each nation are from that nation which I really liked and enjoyed.
The Ha Breath of Life show in the evening is particularly good. The dancers and the fire spinners were just amazing.
The luau with the dinner had a nice show, but the food was just okay. They did welcome us with a really delicious smoothie which made up for the fact that they don't serve alcohol.
Keep in mind, it's a full, long day experience. It doesn't open until 12 noon or so and we didn't leave until after the show around 9 PM. The ticket that they give you allows you to come back multiple days which you would need to do in order to see everything, although we just spent the one whole day and I felt satisfied with the experience.
Just wanted to mention as well that the whole place is owned or run by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints but there was no preaching or mention of that anywhere, other than all of the guides being students of the religious university next door. Not saying that's a bad thing, I'm just mentioning it in case that matters to someone.
Overall, I recommend the center and the show, but I would skip the dinner in the future.
The Ha Breath of Life show in the evening is particularly good. The dancers and the fire spinners were just amazing.
The luau with the dinner had a nice show, but the food was just okay. They did welcome us with a really delicious smoothie which made up for the fact that they don't serve alcohol.
Keep in mind, it's a full, long day experience. It doesn't open until 12 noon or so and we didn't leave until after the show around 9 PM. The ticket that they give you allows you to come back multiple days which you would need to do in order to see everything, although we just spent the one whole day and I felt satisfied with the experience.
Just wanted to mention as well that the whole place is owned or run by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints but there was no preaching or mention of that anywhere, other than all of the guides being students of the religious university next door. Not saying that's a bad thing, I'm just mentioning it in case that matters to someone.
Overall, I recommend the center and the show, but I would skip the dinner in the future.
Written March 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karen
Oxford, AL17 contributions
My ticket shows an Alii luau at 12:45 and a luau at Hale Aloha at 5pm. Are these actually two separate luaus?
Deb W
5 contributions
I am not aware of any luau that is on the afternoon. 12:45 sounds more like the arrival time for your guided tour. Call the Polynesian cultural center they are wonderful!
Feng Z
New York City, NY1 contribution
If I got the package with no buffet reservation, is there any place I could eat dinner or there will be no food options?
Carl D
Johnstown, OH232 contributions
Pounders Restaurant is right inside the entrance of the Polynesian Cultural Center. It opens at 11:00 am & close at 8:30 pm. When we arrived we ate there before going to the Isles. Good food for lunch! Their menu is online. Nice indoor place to eat.
Is it worth it to go with a 16 month old for the whole day?
Jeanette
Sacramento, CA23 contributions
No
Can you do the Ali’i Luau package but skip the guided tour? We prefer to see the villages at our leisure but still attend the luau and show.
Deb W
5 contributions
I’m sure you can but I strongly advise doing it. The first time I was there we did it on our own and the second time with the guide and we learned so much more with the guide and didn’t miss any of the shows like we did when we went on our own. When you check in just let the guide know you are going on your own.
Stephanie P
Chicago, IL
Hi! I am planning to drive my rental from Waikiki to the Polynesian Cultural Center. How is the ride back at night? Are the roads well lit?
Roads are not well lit but speeds are low and traffic was light. Light improves as you get closer to Honolulu.
We will be visiting with two small children. Waikiki transportation options say they won't return til 10 30 at night. Is there a place to rest there. Or is early transport back to hotel an option?
GuppyBerry
Toronto, Canada11 contributions
Hi, I know that early return is possible at about 6PM, it was indicated during our morning bus ride mid-March. You just have to let them know when you reach the Polynesian Cultural Center. So you will be able to enjoy the Center, but obviously won’t see the show that starts at 7:30PM. Hope this helps.
Is there coffee or tea available for purchase?
mariedesjardins
Prince George, Canada6,668 contributions
Yes, there are food trucks and restaurants to purchase tea or coffee during your visit.
We are cruising to Honolulu in February 2023. The cruise company isn't offering any excursions to the Polynesian Cultural Center which we would like to visit. Has anybody used the Circle Island bus tour that PCC offers? Will it get us back to the pier in time to catch our ship at 11PM? It says it will get you back by 10:30PM. Has anybody used this and were there any problems?
TripInsider
Southwest Gulf Coast, FL273 contributions
We are very familiar with the kind of situation you present. We have been at Honolulu cruise terminal, and we have been at PCC. We have always had rental car transportation when we stayed in Waikiki to PCC. I also think you probably should not risk this since ships do not wait! There should be some Polynesian, Hawaiian cultural activities, dining and entertainment on your cruise. If you enjoy your cruise, hopefully you can return to Oahu in the future and visit the PCC.
How do I get there and back without staying for luau or late show? Does The Bus schedule permit us to leave at any time we want?
Chido K
Dallas, TX1 contribution
There is an option for a bus that leaves before the show starts.
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Claim your listingPolynesian Cultural Center (Laie) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Polynesian Cultural Center
- Polynesian Cultural Center is open:
- Mon - Tue 12:45 PM - 8:45 PM
- Thu - Sat 12:45 PM - 8:45 PM
- We recommend booking Polynesian Cultural Center tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 30 Polynesian Cultural Center tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Polynesian Cultural Center:
- Go City: Oahu All-Inclusive Pass with 40+ Attractions and Tours (From $99.00)
- Best of Oahu: Pearl Harbor, Arizona Memorial and the Polynesian Cultural Center (From $260.00)
- Oahu Highlights, Turtles & North Shore - Small Group Circle Island Tour (From $120.00)
- Oahu Grand Circle Island Audio Driving Tour (From $19.99)
- Small Group North Shore Circle Island Tour Oahu (From $130.00)
- Hotels near Polynesian Cultural Center:
- (0.10 mi) Tiki Moon Villas
- (0.05 mi) SUN, SWIM, SURF, kid-friendly,beachfront, Yellow Passion at Coral Walk Cottages
- (0.05 mi) ON THE BEACH/kid friendly /BEACHFRONT at Coral Walk Cottages 30 days
- (0.10 mi) Papaya 2: 2bdrm/1ba at Tiki Moon Villas
- (0.10 mi) Ocean Sun: 1bdrm/1ba at Tiki Moon Villas
- Restaurants near Polynesian Cultural Center:
- (0.00 mi) Sweet As
- (0.00 mi) Guadalajara Grill Hawaii
- (0.06 mi) Tita's Grill and Catering
- (0.07 mi) Pounders Restaurant
- (0.09 mi) The Elephant Shack
- Attractions near Polynesian Cultural Center:
- (0.00 mi) Shaka Statue
- (0.00 mi) Hawaii Scoots
- (0.11 mi) Ha - Breath of Life
- (0.15 mi) Lunar Legends of Polynesia
- (0.09 mi) Tahitian Treasures
Polynesian Cultural Center Information
| Excellent Reviews | 5,864 |
|---|---|
| Very Good Reviews | 1,991 |
| Polynesian Cultural Center Photos | 6,534 |

































































































