Our New Hukilau Marketplace undergoes soft opening

Part of the Polynesian Cultural Center’s new Hukilau Marketplace underwent a “soft opening” on December 10, 2014.

More specifically:

• Goo’s Plantation Store, “which is a throw-back to Goo’s Old Plantation Store, that was a mainstay of the Laie community for many years. That store will be offering souvenirs, PCC logo wear and guest comfort lines,” says Kealii Haverly, PCC Director of In-Center Marketing. 

• Hapa Home Store, a home accent store that carries “things to brighten homes and apartments, including pillows and wall coverings, etc., with a twist of Polynesia.” Haverly explained that the “soft opening” — with a grand opening tentatively planned for the end of January 2015 — gives the PCC time to clear up the construction project, pack away the temporary tents that have been housing the gift shops, and set up new foot traffic patterns in the area. “Because the traffic flow patterns in the Center won’t change until January,” Haverly adds, “we’re not pushing the tenants to open until then.” 

This recent aerial photo by senior volunteer Jack Baxter shows

the progress on the PCC’s new Hukilau Marketplace on the left,

and the Courtyard by Marriott hotel project on the right.

The Polynesian Cultural Center to launch its last ‘Christmas Lagoon’

The Polynesian Cultural Center will stage its final “Christmas Lagoon” canoe rides — an enchanting mix of Christmas Nativity and modern traditional themes — on:

December 12-13, 15, 17, 19-20 and 23, 2014. 

The rides start at 6:45 p.m. and will run until everyone is accommodated; but please note that the PCC Box Office closes at 8 p.m.  

The cost of each ride for kamaaina (Hawaii residents, with ID proof required) is $10 for adults, $8 for keiki.  Each Kamaaina Annual Pass holder is entitled to one free ride each evening.

Polynesian Cultural Center’s Major Events Crew

William Mahoni, the PCC Director of Major Events, reported in the October e-Newsletter, “Putting on special event canoe rides really stretch our human resources, so in the future we’ll be refocusing on our core product and new additions.”

“If you’ve never experienced the Polynesian Cultural Center’s Christmas lagoon rides before, or if you want to enjoy it again, I urge you to join us in December for a delightful evening of Christmas celebrations.” For more information, please call the PCC Box Office: 808-293-3333 (or 1-800-367-7060 tollfree from the U.S. mainland and Canada.)

The Tongan Village temporarily relocates

 The PCC’s Tongan Village has temporarily relocated to the Marquesas compound and canoe landing area, while the village undergoes planned renovations. Village manager Alamoti “Moti” Taumoepeau said renovations would take approximately six months to complete.

The Hawaiian Village occupied the same area when it recently underwent renovations.

Architect renderings for Polynesian Football Hall of Fame previewed

Showcase opens January 24, 2015, to honor the first two classes of

Hall of Fame inductees; U. of Oregon QB Marcus Mariota

named Polynesian College Football Player of the Year

The Polynesian Cultural Center shared the following architectural renderings of the new Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Showcase at a press conference on December 9, 2014. During the press conference, University of Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota was also named as the inaugural Polynesian College Football Player of the Year (the 2015 inductees were listed in the October e-Newsletter). Mariota, a part-Samoan from Honolulu, has been nominated for the Heisman trophy.

Norm Harris, Principal of TBU International and a Polynesian native who was born in Tonga and raised in Honolulu, is donating his services as the lead designer for the Hall of Fame exhibit.

The public is invited to attend the dedication of the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame exhibit at the Polynesian Cultural Center on January 24, 2015.

Story by Mike Foley

Mike Foley, who has worked off-and-on

at the Polynesian Cultural Center since

1968,  has been a full-time freelance

writer and digital media specialist since

2002, and had a long career in marketing

communications and PR before that. He

learned to speak fluent Samoan as a

Mormon missionary before moving to Laie

in 1967 — still does, and he has traveled

extensively over the years throughout

Polynesia and other Pacific islands. Foley

is mostly retired now, but continues to

contribute to various PCC and other media.