NOTICE: In an effort to control the spread of COVID-19, the State of Hawaii has issued a mandate requiring that all non-essential workers shelter-at-home effective March 24 through April 30, 2020. Due to this action, we have had to close the student filled positions in order to protect our students. The following article describes our efforts for the time before this mandate. We look forward to bringing our students workers back in time to open our doors when the government gives the all clear. In the meantime, we hope that you enjoy our blog. New posts will be added regularly.     The Polynesian Cultural Center.

Positive and supportive moves at the Polynesian Cultural Center!

Difficult situations call for innovative action. We are moving ahead after the recent announcement that because we are committed to the safety and welfare of our guests, our staff and our community, we have extended our COVID-19 closure until April 30, 2020.

Even the mighty Iosepa is getting scrubbed down

During this unplanned break, the Polynesian Cultural Center is not sitting back and letting opportunities pass us by. While following the very important social distancing standards established by the Centers of Disease Control (CDC), we are addressing projects that have had to be placed on hold in the past.

Why? Yes, it is to serve you better. But there is an even deeper reason.

The purpose of the Polynesian Cultural Center is three-fold: 1) to protect and promote the beautiful cultures of Polynesia; 2) to support our student workers as they gain a degree that will assist them and their home nations to progress and thrive; and 3) to share the spirit of aloha with the world.

Getting sparkling clean in Aotearoa

One way we can do that is by helping our student workers, many of which cannot return home at this time due to flight restrictions, to feed their family, continue with online learning and expand their work experiences.

You see, here at the Polynesian Cultural Center, supporting our Ohana is the most important goal. Entering this time of renewal, it will be easy to find students normally assigned to office duties helping to ‘herd’ the fish in the lagoon as we make repairs section by section, cleaning every area of the Center top to bottom, or any number of assignments with great care and purpose.

Airing out mats in the Fiji Village at the Polynesian Cultural Center

Along with that, we have performed a quick change over for the majority of our full-time and community staff and managers as they switch from office to home-based workstations. Each department is busily preparing for the day that we can once again share the majesty and beauty of our Polynesian Culture. 

We send you our best wishes that equally exciting changes and opportunities come your way too. Mahalo nui for your prayers and support. We look forward to seeing you again soon!

Nina S Jones

Nina Jones, a mainland gal from way back, is now a transplanted Islander. With her husband of 43 years, she has lived in Laie since serving a mission at the Polynesian Cultural Center from 2014 – 2016. She now serves as the blog manager for the Center. Her hobbies include swimming, traveling, studying and writing about what she is learning from the various Polynesian cultures. Her blogs focus on their history, beliefs, practices and – as an added bonus – delicious food! To her, Polynesia is not just a place to visit, it is a way to live and she is very honored to be able to be a part of their amazing world.