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Oahu Activities On Land ON LAND Bicycles Golf/Tennis Guided Tours Hiking/Camping Horseback Riding Hunting/Shooting Luaus Motorcycles/ATVs Museums (or View All Listings)
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Exploring: Oahu > Activities > On Land > Guided Tours
The images, history and hospitality of seven Pacific cultures come alive at the Polynesian Cultural Center. Set on 42 acres of beautifully landscaped North Shore property in the idyllic community of Laie, the Center provides firsthand exposure to the people and heritage of seven island nations-Fiji, Hawaii, New Zealand, Samoa, Tahiti, Tonga and Marquesas. Each of the island peoples are represented in their own faithfully recreated village where guests may view exciting demonstrations such as making fire from coconut husks, climbing 60-foot coconut trees and making clothing out of plants. Here, guests can feast on melt-in-your-mouth pork and other traditional fares at Oahu's most authentic luau, the royal Ali'i Lu'au. Each guest is personally greeted by natives with a traditional fresh flower lei. In the secluded backdrop of a beautiful tropical lagoon, including a 15-foot waterfall and an imu (Hawaiian for underground oven), the show opens with the blowing of a conch shell, announcing the arrival of the Hawaiian royalty. The Luau introduces guests to traditional old style foods, such as the fire pit-cooked kalua pork and other delicacies, and to the entertainment of the Islands, including hula dancers performing the ancient dances that tell the stories of old Hawaii. This award-winning attraction begins promptly at 5:00 p.m. each evening. The Rainbows of Paradise canoe pageant happening each afternoon is staged on the Polynesian Cultural Center's freshwater lagoon that meanders through the Center's 42 tropical acres. Hawaii's only waterborne review, Rainbows of Paradise features performers atop twin-hulled canoes who tell through rousing dance and music how the respective islands brought the color of the rainbow into their lives. The Horizons evening show features over 100 performers from all over the Pacific, representing the native dance and music of the islands. Dressed in native attire, Polynesians share their history, traditions and spirit in the way of their ancestors. Spinning fire-knives, Tongan drums and Samoan firewalkers are all part of the largest Polynesian entertainment spectacle in the world. This 90-minute show, held in the dramatic 2,800-seat Pacific Theater, has been performed at the Center since its opening more than 40 years ago and remains the crowning moment of a Polynesian Cultural Center visit. Hawaii's only IMAX theater offers a choice of two films: the Academy Award-nominated "The Living Sea" and "Dolphins". The seven-story screen brings you as close as you can get to the vast ocean without actually getting wet! Activities for children include learning the Maori stick game, getting a washable Marquesan tattoo, playing Fijian bamboo derua instruments, tossing Tongan spears, playing an ancient form of Polynesian checkers or Hawaiian bowling. Adults have just as much fun as the children experiencing the many aspects of the Polynesian culture through the games and activities presented at the Center. The Polynesian Cultural Center offers a wide range of ticket options-from personalized VIP service to General Admission packages. The box office is open Monday-Saturday beginning at 9 a.m. with gates opening at 12 p.m.
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Polynesian Cultural Center
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