Polynesian Cultural Center

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"A cultural attraction designed for first-time visitors to learn about Polynesian traditions through interactive exhibits, performances, and demonstrations that showcase regional music, dance, and crafts." - Patricia Doherty Patricia Doherty Patricia Doherty is a writer who specializes in covering destinations, resorts, and cruises for Travel + Leisure and other publications. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines

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"A cultural attraction located on the island's North Shore that showcases Polynesian cultures through exhibits, performances, and immersive village experiences about an hour from the main city." - Patricia Doherty Patricia Doherty Patricia Doherty is a writer who specializes in covering destinations, resorts, and cruises for Travel + Leisure and other publications. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines

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"Visit Hawaii, Samoa, Fiji, Aotearea, Tonga, and Tahiti in a Day When you're ready to see more of Oahu than just Waikiki, spend a day at the Polynesian Cultural Center. This Mormon-owned (but non-proselytizing) cultural center employs many BYU Hawaii students (the campus is next door), and takes pride in having real dancers and performers from the island cultures they represent. It's a race to catch as many shows, activities, demos, and dances as you can, but don't miss the grand canoe pageant at 2:30 (pictured). In fact, there's so much to see that your admission allows you to come back within 3 days and check out the rest (though it's closed on Sundays). If you enjoy traditional dance, plan to see their amazing evening show, "Ha: Breath of Life," a beautifully choreographed, high-budget spectacle that stands head and shoulders above the other cheesy luaus."

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"A cultural attraction recommended for immersive experiences that highlight Polynesian traditions and performances, commonly paired with other North Shore excursions." - Annie Fitzsimmons

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/best-island-to-visit-in-hawaii-for-every-type-of-traveler

Mies N

Google

I had an amazing experience at the Polynesian Cultural Center! I visited all six islands, and joined in most the of activities from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. — it was such a full and unforgettable day. The energy and warmth from everyone were incredible, especially during the welcoming dances. I even got to join in and dance with them — so much fun! A special thank-you to my private tour guide, Jasmine (from Philippines), who was absolutely wonderful — knowledgeable, friendly, and perfectly organized. She made sure we stayed on schedule and didn’t miss a thing. Each island had its own unique charm, and I loved learning about the traditions, music, and culture of each one. The buffet dinner was delicious with plenty of great options, and the live music and dance performances during dinner made it even more special. The “Ha: Breath of Life” evening show was absolutely amazing — a breathtaking performance that shared Polynesian history and island culture through music, dance, and storytelling. I highly recommend booking the Super Ambassador Package — it’s super worth it! You get a private guide, priority seating, and a much more personal experience. This was truly one of the best things I did in Oahu.

Brendan Bravo

Google

Amazing experience! We got the Alii Luau package and had no regrets. We were worried it was going to feel like a school field trip but we had a blast. Whole day was great. Had a group tour with “Te” who was fantastic, planning our afternoon. All the shows were great, funny and the food at the Luau was incredible.

Trenton Stutz

Google

Amazing experience for our family. We loved experiencing each village/island and learning more about each culture. I wish we had more time. I recommend getting there early to ensure you can check everything out. We got the package with the gateway buffet. The buffet food wasn't amazing. Next time we come, we'll do the luau and get a tour guide. We found ourselves figuring out where to go next which made it hard catch all of the shows. The breath of life show is amazing and an excellent way to end the night. Very impressed with the quality of the show and the story told. We'll definitely come back next time we go to Oahu.

Julia Moore

Google

One of the best “tourist” experiences I’ve ever had anywhere in the world. The performers are so beautiful it made me cry. Everything is so organized, clean, well kept, gorgeous and full of joy and life. Our tour guide, Mia, was excellent. She was so friendly and knowledgeable about everything. The dinner was absolutely spectacular!!! A buffet where everything is high quality and delicious. I came with no expectations and didn’t really know what was here. And I was so blown away. Highly recommend!!

Arminta Johnson

Google

This place is a must do. It takes all day and we went back for a second with the 3-day pass. There is so much to see, do, and learn about. The buffet was great, so many choices. The show at the end was the best. Get the guided tour, Kina was the tour guide for our "family". She was so great!

Shaquillia

Google

We had such an amazing time at the Polynesian Cultural Centre. At first, we debated on which package to purchase but ended up with the Super Ambassador Package, and it was such a great choice! It started off with a tour of the Polynesian islands, and Roslyn, our guide, was fantastic! So informative and allowing us to experience each of the sites that were key for us. Getting to learn about the history of each island was really insightful! It was really sad to leave Roslyn, but thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and being with us during the time! We then went to watch the Aliʻi Lūʻau buffet and learned the story of the Queen. James, our server, was so polite and kind with us! Thank you for making us feel welcome! The food was amazing, and seeing the imu was such an experience! The Lūʻau performance as well was just wonderful to watch. We ended the night with the HĀ: Breath of Life show, and I can see why photos and videos aren’t allowed during the show. The story and entire show were simply breathtaking to see. Everyone apart of the show did an amazing job! Overall, this was a wonderful way to learn about Polynesia and get to know the history and culture of each island. Having a private guide and reserved seating really does make a difference, and it was a wonderful way to enjoy the cultural centre. Thank you so much to everyone there!

Norman Dollar

Google

I highly recommend the super ambassador tour. It is well worth the extra money and you get a wonderful experience. The entire area is wonderful as you move through the different islands and learn about each individual culture. The dinner is amazing with wonderful food and a great treat drink. After dinner you get an absolutely fantastic show. I don't want to go into too much detail as to not spoil anything. I just want to say again the whole experience is fantastic and I will be back. One piece of advice, it is doable in a single day but you get multiple days with your ticket. I would recommend at least 2 if not 3 days too be able to see everything this amazing place has to offer.

lisa livingston

Google

Spending the day at the PCC was a dream come true. We have been wanting to visit here for many years. It was such a great day. We took the guided tour with Joseph from the Philippines and he was great. The shows were amazing and the activities were fun. We really loved the Luau buffet, although the food was not great, we overlooked it for the Luau. We absolutely loved the HA breath of life show- the dancers, choreography and story were delightful. I love how you get 3 days on one ticket. We missed 2 of the demonstrations on the first day, so went back the next day to catch the 2 we missed. We really enjoyed making the weaves fish and the canoe ride. Tonga out on a great show and the Tahitian dancers are incredible. A great way to spend the day, all of the workers were so friendly. It’s a beautiful place.

Jeffrey R.

Yelp

Breath of Life show was excellent. The performers gave it everything they had! Also, the Luau was amazing! We paid for the group guided tour which had the advantage of seeing all the islands but the only downside is you are at the discretion of the guide as to what activity you go to (each island has more than one at different times). Probably do it on our own next time.

Daniel A.

Yelp

For what you can learn about so many different cultures in the same day, this is an amazing packed day full of performances and activities. Lots of it can feel geared towards a younger audience but it is equally enjoyable to all ages. There aren't that many great food options in the park itself but there are some restaurants nearby. You could spend more than 1 full day here trying to fit everything in. There is always someone around to help with any questions you have about the center. The show at night has a grand accumulation of dances from various cultures weaved into a story. It lulls at time but still has some great moments and finishes with some amazing fire dancing at the end

Annie W.

Yelp

Went to the Polynesian Cultural Center because my friend has never been to Hawaii, so I figured this is one of the places she should experience to learn a bit about the Polynesian Islands and the people and culture of the islands. We purchased the package that included a guided tour, canoe ride, Ali'i Luau, and evening show. As much as this package cost, it's good to know the price we paid helps to support the students at Brigham Young University. These students come from all over the world, so it's a wonderful opportunity for them. The PCC is huge, so there really isn't enough time to see and experience everything. After the tour it was time for dinner and then we had about an hour before the tour started. It's nice that your entry is good for 3 days, but if you're staying far from the PCC (as we are), it's difficult to return to finish seeing everything. We also booked the shuttle from Waikiki at $29 per person, round trip. For us, not liking to drive at night, it was worth it. We didn't get back to Waikiki until 10:30 p.m.

Kehn H.

Yelp

We came by after seeing so many ads on our social media while staying in Hawaii for a week. After checking out, we saw a few stores that all somewhat served the same king of things like shirts, dresses, things that tourists would wear or gift. There's plenty of good restaurants to eat from, we ate from a food truck that was serving shrimp tacos. I also had an espresso drink from the North Shore crepe shop. The whole area seemed like it had better days but, looks to be losing a lot of foot traffic and visitors or tourists. Maybe I came in during a slow season of tourists during October/November but, it really wasn't bustling enough. We bought gifts for our families from the ukulele shop and some of the gift shops but, that was pretty much it, we kept it short because we had local staff walking around asking for surveys to be filled and we've done it once but, was approached 2 more times from others who didn't know we were already approached.

Tish P.

Yelp

Worth the drive. They are closed one weekday which really wrecked my plans up so I rented a car and drove out there. It's a lovely drive, everything just seems low key in Oahu. Slower highway speeds...breathtaking views on the journey. Anyway the actual PCC, my visit was rushed but still fulfilling. I rode the boat, I toured and caught performances at 4 or 5 of the 6 island villages, talked to the people, had a drink, got tatted up, saw a wedding, fire show. The standout performance was short middle aged gentleman at Samoa, dude was hilarious. You could easily spend all day there especially if you buy the buffet and attend the Breath of Life show; which unfortunately wasn't included in my pass and they don't sell tickets to the show alone. Only downside...

Sharine d.

Yelp

Well organized. Primarily run by college students. Great way to learn about the different Polynesian cultures. Different little village areas for each culture discussed. Areas to learn a skill. Everyone was kind and helpful. This is a large park similiar to Disneyland and there is lots of walking. There are rental scooters if needed for $50. We did the great banquet hall all you can eat... it's not a much food as it appears, but we were both able to find things we liked. Last but not least was the fire show. Great show, nice way to end the evening. While I enjoyed the experience and learned a lot about different historical cultures (Hawaiian, Tonga, Somoan, New Zealand... and I think I'm missing one more). I also felt uncomfortable. The kids are primarily students from Bringham Young a Morman college. The kids have to work at this center 19hrs a week during school year and 40 hrs during breaks. I believe in spring your way through school, but these kids are doing hard physical task and then completes day going the show. It felt a 'dog&pony show'. Some kids seemed to enjoy what they were doing, but not all. Most where displaying physical depictions of their ancestors life. Maybe I'm wrong, but I felt uncomfortable.

Art K.

Yelp

Aloha ladies and gents! I'm back out to the town of Laie to visit the Polynesian Cultural Center with the ohana. We had a fun day of activities and programs geared towards the people and cultures of Polynesia. The grounds are still as beautiful as ever and the staff are friendly and welcoming. We opted for the Gateway buffet which provided a wide range of delicious food and drink. Live musicians also serenade you during dinner. To finish off the evening, the spectacular show featuring over 100 cast members, " Ha...the breath of life" is a show you won't want to miss. It's a full day of fun.

Enna J.

Yelp

There are soooo many more pictures and videos in my phone that I can't upload to Yelp...and even those don't do this place the justice it derserves. You are truly immersed in Polynesian culture. It was worth every penny. They give you a small window into their lives and history that you won't get anywhere. Our barista at our hotel said she comes every year with her family and I can see why. The buffet was massive but even if you don't do the buffet there are so many other food options. Also if nothing else SEE THE SHOW!

Nu H.

Yelp

The polynesian cultural center was lively. Its a big shopping/eatery center. I realized that they do not sale alcohol beverages. There's option to purchase guided tours or self guided thru the 6 island villages to learn about the diffrent villages and its culture. There was plenty of parking space and clean bathrooms all around the center. We purchased the Aliʻi Lūʻau Package which includes the Aliʻi Lūʻau Buffet & live entertainment and gold level seating at "HĀ:Breath of Life" show. The package information are available online and could be purchased online as we did or you can purchase on site if there's space available. The tour starts at 12:30 and ended around 5:00 giving us some time to relax and do our own thing untill dinner at 6pm then the HĀ:Breath of Life" show at 7:30pm. We were in a guided tour with 13 people total. The tour was guided by a friendly staff member who was knowledgeable of the authentic cultures of 6 pacific islands which were hawaii, Fiji, Aotearoa, Somoa, Tahiti and Tonga. We were able to experience the unique cultures and traditions of each island through interactive activities, demonstrations, and performances. It was pretty interesting and informative. Dinner time was the buffet dinner with a luau show for approximately 1 hour. We were seated right away and brought a pineapple drink thats literally in a pineapple. The waiter were attentive and friendly throughout dinner time. I wasn't fond of the main course or the poke. There was not much flavor and tasted mediocre. I ebjoyed the fruits and deserts a little more. Our last show was the breath of life show. This show is known for its choreography, costumes, and fire dancing. Pictures and videoing was not allowed. However, I loved all the dances and costume changes and storyline of this show. The polynesian center is great for tourists to enjoy and learn about the cultures.

Generous Y.

Yelp

Fantastic experience. shoutout to guide Luis for bringing us to the top experiences and keeping everything fun for our boys trip with almost 10 people! He really set us up for success on the journeys Pina colada in a pineapple while waiting for the buffet. Refreshing after a long day of activities. Buffet food was good, nothing out of this world but very solid. Overall, would highly recommend the experience (and it also helps support these students working here).

Jennifer R.

Yelp

Looking to learn about the cultures that make up Hawaii?? A broadway show? Maybe the best luau on the island. Then plan on a full day event here. Upgrade for the VIP tickets as well if you are able. That will give you a personal tour guide and reserved seats at all the shows and demonstrations, the Luau and the broadway show at the end. An interesting FYI this is run by BYU-Hawaii and many students are working there as part of their work study program. No alcohol is served on property. The Luau food was delicious and the evening show was wildly impressive. This of it as a Disneyland of Hawaii.

Noelle Y.

Yelp

Amazing! I don't actually remember ever going to PCC since I live here but I'm so glad I did!! It was such a great experience and would highly recommend to anyone coming to visit! We had a friend visiting who had never been to Hawai'i before and wanted to go to a lu'au. I researched a few and decided on this one because I feel like it's one of the most well known. I joined the Ohana Club for discounts as well! 20% discount for Kama'aina and 15% for other tickets! The only thing was that there are so many options and I didn't really know what to choose. Which is also a plus but can also be a little confusing. It it's your first time, you should get tickets that cover everything. The island are where you're going to learn about some of the culture and get do to lots of activities, see demonstrations, play games, make music, taste food. There is really so much, you could spend all day! You should also get food at the lu'au. We did the Gateway buffet and were impressed with the amount of options and variety. We really liked it. The show Ha: Breathe of Life was really good. The performers are really amazing and it's a really beautiful show. All together, it was a great time and everyone is sooooo nice. It's a beautiful place with beautiful people and I would highly recommend!

Mic V.

Yelp

We booked the Aliʻi Lūʻau Package for $210 per person. The tour guide was really nice and accommodating. However, we were about 10 min late to every event he took us to. It looked like we finished every event on time but were always late to the next event. I'm not sure why that was the case. The location is beautiful and they show case the Islands of Polynesia in a great way. The luau food was just very mediocre. I'd rate the food a 3/5. I really enjoyed the unlimited pina coladas though (non-alcoholic). The "HA: Breath of Life" show was a 5/5. The actors and actresses were amazing. The live music was very moving. I enjoyed it a lot. You can even take pics with the performers after the show.

Peter L.

Yelp

4th visit here & was still impressed by the experience. Lots to see & do, Kap is still entertaining the crowd. The bus pickup system has finally improved, more organized instead of utter chaos. The gateway buffet has not changed: lots of varieties but don't expect quality.

Emily F.

Yelp

Upon arriving on the island, this was a significant stop on our Aloha Sunshine Tour, guided by Summer (she's amazing and gave us so many tips while we were there). Highly recommend this experience near the front of your time in the island in order to grasp the energy, practices and history of this special culture. Appreciated that this venue not only educates the public but also allows Polynesian individuals to participate in maintaining their practices & heritage. Incredible venue for ALL ages and really enjoyed the live performances, interactive activities, culinary sampling, and personable & joyous energy that radiated from all staff and performers. I wish we could have spent more time here to fully engage in each area. Loved the canoe ride on the park river. Very easy to navigate the park (both signage and for those with mobility issues).

Stephanie S.

Yelp

Beautiful people and experience. The Polynesian Cultural Center has a variety of activities, food, beverages, entertainment, and breathtaking views.

Sallie R.

Yelp

If you are looking for a fun activity to do with your kids, this is quite entertaining for the whole entire family. This place offers an immersive and engaging experience that celebrates the rich cultures of Polynesia. We explored six island villages representing Hawaii, Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, Tahiti, and New Zealand each showcasing traditional dances, crafts, music, and customs. So much to see and do all in one day. The boat ride was the highlight for us with a humorous narrative. He guided us with his extensive knowledge of each island. Make sure you go straight to the boat ride first as it will get busy throughout the day. The staff and performers are warm, knowledgeable, and passionate, adding depth to the experience. Admission can be a bit pricey, but worth it to spend the day learning about all the Polynesian cultures. Don't forget to add this to your itinerary for the next O'ahu trip.

Angela T.

Yelp

Great place to eat , shop & learn some history of the island. Lots of food , snacks, drinks, ice cream & gift shops surrounding the center .

Clint A.

Yelp

This was a great family experience that we thoroughly enjoyed. I would highly recommend spending an afternoon and evening learning about most of the island nations. I also learned 80% of the workers are students of BYU-H and our ticket cost helps them with scholarships. The customer service was excellent, our guide was knowledgeable and helpful. I would highly recommend make this part of your Hawaii adventure

Desirae C.

Yelp

Everything about this experience is wonderful! The cultural significance is remarkable. The villages, canoe rides, luau and night show were a full day's events. Beautiful atmosphere, happy employees who beautifully depicted their native histories. The music was lovely as well as the full immersion experiences. Poi balls, juggling and watching coconut tree climbers made for a fun time for all ages! Plan on all day and have good shoes. Hats help as well. Lots of different options for snacks and drinks. Strict time guidelines for presentations. All the student staff were amazing.

Angela D.

Yelp

everything was amazing! From the dancers to the people giving out information, the food and the activities, everything was extremely professional and well executed. When you go, you can take a canoe ride down to the end of the park and walk your way back to the front, which is what we did. It was great because there were different areas of Polynesia on the tour. For instance, one section of the center was Tahiti, one was Samoa, and many many others that I can't remember. I don't even remember taking pictures because I was so in the moment. It was one of the best experiences I've had. we got a package with a buffet and a show to see ha and I'll review those separately, but I will say I was satisfied with everything .

OG R.

Yelp

WOW! WOW! WOW! I visited Oahu for a softball tournament. When doing my research, visiting the PCC was a must do! It looked interesting and I paid a visit. I booked online and got the package that allowed me to have my own private tour guide, TOARAI. It was an amazing experience! TOARAI showed me around and gave me do some of the activities, which were enjoyable! He also saved me front row seats at the shows he took me to! Worth it! AMAZING! FANTASTIC! The buffet with the Luau was also soooo delicious! The luau was amazing! The dancers were sooooo good! The show in the main theater was AMAZING! Got to sit front and center! What a production! What a great way to help the employees pay for their college tuition!

Amy L.

Yelp

PCC is a full day event. We took a PCC coach from Ross (pick up area) and got there before the islands open. We opted to go a self guided tour with gateway buffet and viewing of Ha, the breath of life. Our day started off with watching Huki, boat celebrations. Each island presented their performance on the boats in the river. It was very cool to watch. Before Huki began, we reviewed the map and realized there was no way to fit all the islands in one day. The tickets do allow you to come back within the next 3 days to check out the rest of the islands and activities but we had plans and it's over an hour drive to PCC. We decided to mark down the main showings and events we wanted to partake. We visited Samoa, Hawaii, Tonga, and Tahiti. Some activities we did were weaving fish, fishing using bamboo sticks, taste poi, taste coconut bread, taste sweet potato cooked with onion and coconut, and got temporary washable tattoos. Some events we saw were Samoa fire knife demonstration, Tonga drumming performance, and a Tahitian wedding. The PCC area is very large, almost like akin to a small amusement park. It was beautiful and scenic. The Gateway Buffet was huge. There was so much variety of food and the food is pretty decent. My favorites would be the huge Hawaiian longan, the crispy coconut shrimp and fresh sliced (you see it being cut in front of you) ahi. You do have in and out privileges for the buffet, just make sure you get stamped before leaving. It's open from 4:30pm to 7pm. The Breath of Life show was spectacular. Every seat is a good seat. We sat in aisle S in section 3 and had a great view. The show is essentially a coming of age story starting from birth and weaves different islands' traditions and concepts. There was also a fire knife performance too. Overall, PCC was really fun. I felt entertained while being educated. From my novice point of view, I felt this production was top notch. Highly recommend if you want to get an introductory immersive experience of Polynesian culture.

Ambar C.

Yelp

Had an amazing time here. We opted for one of the higher tier packages and we are glad that we did. Our tour guide was awesome and she took our kids to do activities while we watched some of the entertainment. I would break this day up into multiple visits as there is so much to see and do. We purchased the luau reservation and everything was delicious! Watched the breath of life show and it was mesmerizing!

Michael C.

Yelp

Attended the World Fireknife competition last night to watch the women's competition! Booked our tickets way in advance (actually so far in advance that I forgot I booked it, but luckily PCC sent me a text reminder couple of days before). The performance was A-W-E-S-O-M-E!! With all of the competitors doing such a great job. Will definitely be back next year. To PCC: Please consider bringing out more tables and chairs. Also maybe have the special food booths open a little bit more early so that people can eat before going inside to watch the performance.

Sam O.

Yelp

Really fun, there is SO much to see, read, and do. If you are limited, start with the tour of the islands. The cultural talks are 20min each (the Samoa one is amazing!) The canoe ride is fun if you have time. Easily a full day if you do the luau and Hā: Breath of Life evening show.

B. O.

Yelp

This was a fantastic experience. I am grateful to have been admitted during the kama'aina-free-admission month of October. I was wondering if this experience was going to be tacky, per se, but I found the villages very interesting. Each offered its own compelling bits of knowledge about their unique islands, and the people working there seemed genuinely happy to share their culture. I did not get the impression that they were performing in a sort Mammy show. I was particularly surprised by their night-show "Hā: Breath of Life." My family and I were, again, given free admission to this show, and afterwards, I realized that I would have actually paid to see this - something I would very rarely be willing to do. It was a fantastically produced show that certainly beat the experience of the luau I attended on the island. The story told was truly touching, and I know it brought people to tears watching it. Lastly, the only thing you should be wary of is that the Polynesian Cultural Center is run by the LDS / Mormon Church, and I believe each of the workers here is a member of that organization. Aloha & Mahalo!

Ruby K.

Yelp

Great immersive experience. Will recommend with visiting family. All personel are in character and you can see the effort they put on the entire experience. Food was great in Ali'i Luau. Charging stations available while eating. Arrive earlier and eat in the market before you go in so you're not starving during the tour. Plus not crowded shopping experience. After dinner i recommend going back to the islands for crowd free photo opportunities per island. Bring a phone tripod. Buildings and hut will be closed (please respect that) but you'll have the outside area for yourself. Then head to the main amphitheater for the Ha Breath of Life show. Amazing show. NO PHONES ALLOWED.

Eddie L.

Yelp

Recently visited the Polynesian Cultural Center at 55-370 Kamehameha Hwy, Laie, Hawaii on 5/31/25 Saturday. Partook in the complete tour package ~ Polynesian Village Tour, Luau and Hula Show, Tram Tour to LDS Mormon Temple, and Ha Breath of Life Show. Our Polynesian Cultural Center tour group guide "Savannah C", a student attending BYU-HI from her native state of Nevada, made our 'Ohana Club' party of five so welcome. She was so enthusiastic, respectful, and very friendly in making our day long adventure a very memorable experience. Our tour of PCC promptly began at 12:45pm and lasted until 9pm that night. The reason for our recent visit was to celebrate the UH graduations of my two wonderful nieces, Maddie and Cecilia, from Sterling VA. Without Savannah's cheerful ebullient and exuberant personality, our joyful PCC journey would not have been more memorable. Much Mahalo to this amazing PCC team member.

Kenny C.

Yelp

To much fun it's like Disneyland of the Polynesian islands. Dancing boat shows individual live music talk about each place restaurant cute little villages. The luau was amazing !! Love there great food options. The fire show wow was awesome. Makes for a super long day get plenty of rest and find some shade !!

Leah H.

Yelp

This is a staple for this island. It is made for the whole family and everyone always enjoys it. I have been a couple times now and have learned something new every time. Make sure you make time to go at least once in your time here. Your heart will leave full and with a new respect for this land and those that call it home.

Jessica L.

Yelp

Straight out 5/5 ! The island was absolutely beautiful and the shows were amazing to see. I learned a lot about Hawaiin culture. My favorite class was the wedding class where you learned some of the dances. It was very interesting. As for the buffet, there were so many options to choose from. I definitely filled myself up. There was also a nice promotion on Groupon, so definitely look into it for a great experience.

Jennifer G.H. W.

Yelp

Not what I expected...expected to be more cultural, not as touristy...more family friendly. We still had a lot of fun here. It still has lot of history and it was great to learn. The shows were entertaining to watch and you could spend several hours there. Be prepared. There's activities for people to try.

Renay R.

Yelp

The story and lessons that you will get from the Polynesians. The way they live and honor their family. They are really some beautiful people such as their personality. They put on shows and they give demonstrations of climbing trees for coconuts and what they make from the leaves as you really begin to grasp their culture. There will also be areas where you can participate in things such as sphere throwing, hula dancing and receiving a tribal tattoo that last a couple days. Now, I could give five stars but some of the food was not for me.

Molly M.

Yelp

This review is solely on the nighttime paddle boarding they offer after hours at the PCC. We had an awesome guide. They were only 4 in our party. We had a great time! It was super safe if you fell in it was only waist deep and you never had to worry about any scary sea life! Bc it was done in the parks water canals. We didn't have to contend with any waves in the open ocean. So much easier! Your board has lights underneath and so you can't ever be lost. And the guide takes so many pictures! This was a fun experience:)

Jacky C.

Yelp

This place is like going to Disneyworld. There are six different regions to learn about the culture and the history. There's a show or demonstration that's for everyone. The most entertaining one is in Samoa as the presenter acts as a comedian. They also have a boat ride that is a nice general overview of the entire center. Besides the cultural part, we also got tickets for the buffet, which was amazing. You can read more on that in the Gateway Buffet review. The part that everyone comes here for is the luau, which may be the best luau you can see in Hawaii as it's performed in an amphitheater. Although I have to admit that the show at the beginning was making me fall asleep, the story progresses and gets better. The fire knife dance happens at the end and it was intense. Highly recommend and it's worth spending half the day here.

Catherine D.

Yelp

There is tons to do. I brought two toddlers and an infant and everyone, including the adult adults were entertained to the whole time we were there. The luau was beautiful. The food was wonderful. We plan to come back when the kids are older.

Eri K.

Yelp

Even though the trek out to Laie is quite far from town, it is worth it. We previously had an annual pass, but let it expire as life got in the way. Parking: ample, private lot, convenient. They do have a few electric car chargers in their lot. Location: Located in Laie right next to BYU We love their Ali'i luau especially because of the Vaifala smoothie (Samoan pineapple drink), which isn't too overly sweet and soooo good. Bonus tip: you can ask for more even if you finish the one in the pineapple itself. The Ali'i luau is outdoors (but covered) and includes a music/dance show about Queen Liliukolani's life. They also give you a fresh flower lei upon entering and they take a picture of your party (which you have to pay for later as a souvenir). Buffet food includes Hawaiian food. I would definitely recommend the poke and the items in the carving station, which include the pork. We have also tried the Gateway buffet, but this does not include a show and it is indoors. I am unsure whether this was a one-time occurrence, but when we went to the Gateway buffet, it was VERY hot inside despite all the open doors and fans. We were very uncomfortable.. and therefore, we have never gone back to this buffet but opted for the more expensive Ali'i buffet package instead. We also love the Islands of Polynesia villages because you can experience the cultures of each place (Samoa, Tahiti, Fiji, etc) and they have different exhibits, dances, and activities that you can participate in. We love seeing how the different cultures are displayed. Everyone is super nice and willing to help if you are lost as well. The HA: Breath of Life show is in the evening so we haven't stayed for it lately as it is beyond our little one's bed time, but we have enjoyed it many times in the past. The participants really put on a great show and we love it.

Ally A.

Yelp

I visited the Polynesian Cultural Center [PCC] last Friday 8/29/2025 with my mom + sister; and we had a wonderful experience. We chose the "Super Ambassador Luau" package - which costs a little bit more, but a good investment (I think so, anyway!) From their website: *Package Details* -Private guided tour through 6 island villages -Enjoy our award winning Aliʻi Lūʻau buffet with live entertainment -Platinum level seating at "HĀ: Breath of Life" show What made this package worth it, imo was- #1- The *front row* / *VIP* seating at each of the villages, buffet & HĀ show #2- Private guided tour: my family and I were able to explore at *our own pace*; 'pick & choose' activities; take as many pix as we wanted lol; etc.- all without having to worry about other PCC guests #3- our Personal Tour Guide We had the amazing, lovely *Moehani*. She was extremely knowledgeable about the history and culture of all villages; an excellent communicator - engaging and entertaining; passionate and enthusiastic; flexible and adaptable; organized and punctual. But ultimately I felt that Moehani cared deeply about making sure this was a fun, enjoyable & memorable experience for my family and I. :0) Thank you Moehani for making our visit to PCC absolutely unforgettable!

Ricky M.

Yelp

The Polynesian Cultural Center is like a mini-theme park in the North Shore of Oahu with different areas representing different islands like Hawaii, Samoa, Tahiti, Fiji, and more. Some highlights include this cool canoe ride exploring the different "islands." Another cool aspect is the Passport to Polynesia where you can collect four or more stamps to redeem a free kids souvenir prize, free kid's Dole Whip (with the purchase of an adult size Dole Whip for $6), and/or 15% savings online at the Hawaii store. First, bring your passport to Goo's Plantation store in the Hukilau Marketplace to get the final stamp and then feel free to get your Dole Whip treat. It was so much fun to do as a family lolol. Also, the ticket we got is good for three days, so we will definitely be going back!

Vivian C.

Yelp

We had the good time ever at the Polynesian Cultural Center . It was a day filled with activities, food tasting, entertainment .Discover the rich history and traditions of the Pacific Islands at the Polynesian Cultural Center in Oahu. Attend energetic performances, admire skilled artisans, and enjoy authentic island cuisine. It's a must-visit for anyone looking to learn more about Pacific Islander heritage. I like The Polynesian Cultural Center's six villages . It's nice experience. If you made an advance reservation, you can skip the line and show your pass at the Will Call (prepaid) line at the admission counter. If you do not have a reservation, you must queue at any of the general admission lines and present your pass to enter (based on availability).

Jeannie N.

Yelp

Review of Ali'i Lu'au Buffet and Ha: Breath of Life--Worth it, worth it, worth it. 10/10 would experience this again without hesitation. Everything from the lu'au to the Breath of Life was excellently executed. All the lu'au food was delicious and authentic. We even got to see them prepare and take out the roasted pig. The staff is very attentive and all the performers did such an amazing job at the lu'au. It's safe to say we enjoyed every bit of the lu'au (getting lei'd, the food was great, and the performances were amazing/choreographed so well). Ha: Breath of Life is 500000% worth your money and time. If you've never been, this is your sign. We splurged a bit on better seats and it was worth every penny. The storyline, the choreography, all of it was so well-executed. I was invested from the beginning til the end. Don't take my word for it-- go experience all of this and see for yourself!

Stephen W.

Yelp

We went here in 2021 and only did the villages, which was great as attested by my 5 star review. In 2024, we returned and did the villages again, this time adding the buffet and the show at night. I not only think the Polynesian Cultural Center is a 5 star experience, it is a 10 on 5 point scale. If you go, you will not be disappointed. You can tour villages from six of the islands of Polynesia: Fiji, Tahiti, Samoa, Hawaii, Tonga, and Aotearoa. Each has demonstrations and information about culture, way of life, food, and games. Each stop also has a presentation of some kind to demonstrate some meaningful cultural activity. It all is very fascinating and one can easily spend an entire day just on a few villages. We spent almost 3 hours just on Hawaii and did not do everything. In 2024, we added the buffet to our experience. We did not do the Lua, but the buffet. They two are different. The buffet was huge with stations for seafood, chicken, pork and beef, vegetables, salad, and dessert. The food was good. Some things were better than others, of course, but overall it was a good buffet and we enjoyed it. Of course we overate (especially shrimp). Then the show. Wow. We added the show in 2024 and I highly recommend it. It started at 7:30 and went until 8:45. The fire juggling at the end is worth the price admission alone. It was beyond impressive. The whole show was not nothing short of spectacular and told a story of a boy who reaches manhood. The dancers do such a great job. Very entertaining. The entire package is not inexpensive, but it is worth the money. Plus you can return for free to do the villages within 3 days of your original entry. To me, a trip to Oahu would not be complete with a stop at the Polynesian Cultural Center.

Rebecca C.

Yelp

Full disclosure to those who don't know, before you purchase tickets, this cultural center is owned by the Mormon temple, and they have students from the BYU Campus working there. The students are all polite and nice! However, when we purchased the tickets through a vendor, the ownership of the PCC was not disclosed to us. Nor is it on the brochure? This time it takes to tour the whole grounds is approximately 5 hours long of self guided tours, wandering through Polynesian culture, explanations, shows, demonstrations, and the lovely representation of the different islands. We had the silver seating package, which came with the gateway buffet. The buffet itself was fantastic! If you love seafood, the quality of the seafood is stellar! Fresh tuna, tableside appetizer service, drinks, ice cream bar, dole whip, coffee! The show was amazing and the dancers performed extremely well. Loved the explanation and breath of life show! Would've like a better view since we were seated completely on the side.

Kevin H.

Yelp

The Polynesian Cultural Center Honolulu Hawaii Ticketing: Take the "Super Ambassador" tour... you will be greeted by a personal guide, taken to a private bungalow and offered water and snacks while you wait for the tour to begin. Once the tour begins you'll be escorted to several Polynesians countries; Tongan, Hawaii, Māori, Samoan, Tahitian, Fijian. Reservations: You can plan your experience online at www.polynesia.com and www.habreathoflife.com. Plan on an all day adventure, being immersed in Polynesian culture. Your tour will begin with lectures, cultural events specific to each island nation and activities... a total cultural experience! Experience: Once you've finished the island nation tour you're escorted to a full blown "traditional Luau" the food is plentiful exotic and delicious (buffet style). I loved that table are feed in an orderly manner to prevent bottle necks however you are welcome to return as many times as you like. Note: This whole experience is operated by university students, the servers, escorts, performers, and staff. The proceeds all go to their education i.e room, board, books etc. "unbelievable "!!!

Nguyen O.

Yelp

Joseph was an amazing tour guide .He was knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and made the tour so much fun. His passion for the area's history and culture was contagious, and he shared interesting stories and insights that really brought the experience to life. He was also super friendly and accommodating, making sure everyone in the group was comfortable and happy. Thank you and all the wonderful villages's team members made our family's first trip unforgettable.

Jenner B.

Yelp

Let me start off by saying I know Luau's are a touristy thing to do. But hey, we are tourist and I highly recommend you do one. The Polynesian Cultural Center offers a very professional and very well organized tour of the islands. They give a lot of history and cultural information about the Polynesian culture in a way that's fun. It's very immersive with a lot of hands on activities and crowd participation. We bought a package that included a tour guide for the first 2 hours and the luau that had performers and the Breath of Ha. Our tour guide Stephen (who's Filipino like us) was very knowledgeable and a great tour guide. He was very personable and funny. He made us feel like he was a close friend giving us a look around his backyard. I feel bad that I didn't get to say a formal bye to him because the end of the tour he guided us to the luau and disappeared. Everything was amazing. Well groomed plants and grassy areas. Building and huts were all well maintained. An awesome venue. The Luau its self was amazing. Hula dancers and performers entertained us while we ate food buffet style. The poke, kalua pork and pina coladas were definitely the stars of the buffet. Overall a great experience. A little pricey but well worth it.

Kelly D.

Yelp

1. They should tell you there's no alcohol. 2. It was like Kings Dominion without rides (or alcohol, see #1 3. The sales people at the kiosk were pushy. 4. It just felt off - artificial. Especially jarring juxtaposed against the stunning views of nature on the way in and genuine kindness of the Hawaiians. However, the staff were kind and funny. If it weren't for them it would be 0 stars.

Vanessa H.

Yelp

This place was fun learning about the different cultures and they had stations to learn to craft and be like an islander. The only this is I had the impression I'd be relaxing and drinking during a luau. There's NO DRINKING here, it's Mormon ran so keep that in mind that this is more family friendly.

@cntraveler

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"A cultural attraction recommended for immersive experiences that highlight Polynesian traditions and performances, commonly paired with other North Shore excursions." - Annie Fitzsimmons