We Visited the Attraction Voted #1 in Hawaii – Here Why Polynesian Cultural Center Is A Must-Do
55% of Americans said they travel to learn something new about a place, culture, or history. So perhaps it is not a surprise that over one million people visit The Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu a year, voted the top thing to do in Hawaii.
It’s a Must-Do For Every Generation of Hawaii Visitors
With travel restrictions lifted and my kids a couple of years older, we decided that 2023 was the summer to take our kids to Hawaii. And not just to experience the paradise that draws millions from all around the globe but to show them where I lived when I was their age.
We visited the Polynesian Cultural Center with every mainland visitor who came to stay with us in the 1980s and early 1990s, but I hadn’t visited it since 2006, when I took my husband on our honeymoon. I knew they had completed an expansion, re-designed their luau, and unveiled a new nighttime show, but I didn’t expect my kids to enjoy learning about Polynesian with such enthusiasm.
And yes, that’s me as a kid in the above picture!
But First, What is The Polynesian Cultural Center?
Located on Oahu’s eastern North Shore, about 1 hour from Waikiki, it is the only cultural attraction of its kind in the world. While cultural tourism is now one of the fastest-growing parts of travel, they’ve been preserving and sharing the cultures of Polynesia for 60 years, long before it was trendy.
Across 42 acres, they’ve recreated six historical villages to explore and experience – Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Tahiti, Hawaii, and Aotearoa (New Zealand). But, what really shines are the people. The performers and guides make the experience so engaging. They are from the Islands represented and share their culture with immense pride, enthusiasm, and one of the biggest surprises– humor. When in Aotearoa, I got goosebumps when each of the brilliant Māori performers introduced themselves by standing next to the tribe pillar of their ancestors.
It’s Award-Winning for a Reason
“Visiting Polynesian Cultural Center is one of our favorite things to do in Oahu,” said Karee Blunt, frequent traveler and mom to 6. “Our whole family enjoys the interactive exhibits you’ll find while exploring the different villages, and the various shows are so well done. We didn’t want to miss any of them! We even managed to get a private Island Canoe Tour, and the crew serenaded us along the way. Truly, every employee we interacted with was so professional, which made the whole experience even more enjoyable.”
Here are my six reasons why you should save time on your Hawaii itinerary for a visit.
1. It’s So Much Fun, You’ll Forget That Your Family Is Learning
This engaging, interactive celebration showcasing the people, culture, arts, and crafts of Polynesia makes the hours fly by. My young kids, who typically complain their way through historical buildings and vacation tours, absolutely had a blast. I was surprised how mesmerized my usually grouchy tween was with the performances and activities in the individual villages. He made me video them all because he was so into it.
2. It Allows You To Fit A Lot Into One Day
Whether this is your first trip to Hawaii or not, it is tough to fit everything you want to do in paradise into your vacation. At the Polynesian Cultural Center you can do a lot in one day: travel to island countries without a passport, attend a luau, and see one of the top shows, the spellbinding 90-minute Ha: Breath of Life spectacular that ties all six island cultures together.
3. This Luau Is More Than Just Music, Dancing, and Dinner
Unlike other luau options in Hawaii, The Polynesian Cultural Center’s new show shares stories from Queen Liliuokalani’s life, told through her own words, songs, and original compositions. The beautiful show tells the story of Hawaii’s last reigning monarch and tastefully touches on the dark parts. It doesn’t shy away from The Queen’s house arrest after the sovereign Hawaiian Kingdom was overthrown.
This all-Hawaiian luau is a more authentic experience and offers an introduction to the sad parts of Hawaii’s history that you might not otherwise hear about on your trip. If you or your party has a Hawaiian show with fire dancers on your bucket list, grab tickets to Ha: Breath of Life, which takes place after the luau and pairs wonderfully.
4. A Chance To Experience The Culture Through Food
A melting pot of cultures and culinary influences, Hawaiian food is a true and tasty reflection of its history. And Polynesia’s Cultural Centers two buffet dinner options allow you the chance to try traditional Hawaiian food alongside many other dishes (including kid’s meals.) But make sure to save room for dessert!
“Hawaiian food is truly traditional food native to the Hawaiian islands, such as poi, laulau, kalua pork, taro, luau leaves, sweet potatoes, and raw and cooked seafood. However, it is also a blend of Polynesian, Asian, and some Western influences,” said Felix Tai, Executive Chef Polynesian Cultural Center. The influences and blend are a result of the plantation era of Hawai’i and its people, and the cultures it brought, which certainly brings the food of its people to an evolution.”
5. Your Admission Dollars Support Student-Employees From These Polynesian Islands and Locals
As a non-profit organization, 100 percent of its revenue goes to daily operations and to support the education of its student-employees from neighboring Brigham Young University-Hawaii. During your day at the Polynesian Cultural Center, you’ll get the chance to meet and talk with Hawaiian locals and student-employees from the Polynesian countries in each of the lands.
Our family got to hear firsthand, from our fantastic tour guide (Tali from Samoa), our luau waitress, and village performers, how excited they are to have a work/study opportunity that allowed them to celebrate their Polynesian heritage, build career skills, and continue their education at an American University.
6. The Package Prices Are a Deal
If you’ve looked at top-ranked luaus in Hawaii, you know that they cost around $95 to 115 for kids and between $155 to $185 per adult. That makes the Ali’i Package at Polynesian Cultural Center a steal at $190 for adults and $152 for kids. This package includes a tour guide, all-day park admission, dinner luau, and the Ha: Breath of Life show.
And bonus, your park admission ticket is good for three days. Visitors say it is impossible to do it all in one day, so if your family wants to return another day, it is included in your purchase.
Before You Book or Visit, Here’s 4 Tips
If you’re ready to plan a visit to the Polynesian Cultural Center, here’s my best advice to make the best of the day or snag a deal.
How To Get Discount Tickets
Getting tickets on sale via an advance purchase directly on their site, AAA or Working Advantage is possible. Or, follow them on social media to keep abreast of sales, such as Black Friday or Cyber Monday, one of the best times of year to score significant travel discounts.
Take It Easy, It’s Vacation After All
If you want to explore the Polynesian Cultural Center over multiple days or spend more time in the North Shore, there is now a second hotel in this region of the island. And luckily, it on the other side of the parking lot and is across the street from the beach. Courtyard by Marriott Oahu North Shore is less than ten years old, the perfect place to crash after a long day exploring Polynesia and allows you to experience the local’s life in the country town of La’ie.
Got Picky Eaters? No Problem
If you’re the parent of a picky eater, vacation can be a challenge, to say the least. That’s why I was relieved that outside food is permitted, and there’s a McDonald’s adjacent to the Polynesian Cultural Center. So if a day out with happy kids means a 20-piece McNuggets in your park backpack like it does for ours, then make a quick stop to stock up before entering the park.
When’s The Best Time To Go?
After the Polynesian Cultural Center graciously invited my family to visit during our vacation, my next question was, “What’s the Best Day to Come to Avoid the Summer Crowds?” Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday were recommended, but check their calendar as they are closed on Wednesdays outside peak season.
Also, plan your day around their Noon open time. I wish we had arrived one hour earlier so we could be at the admission gate right as it opened. That extra hour meant we could have seen one more village before the luau, but next time!
