Polynesian Cultural Center Evolves in Pandemic and It Has to Be Recognized

In November 2021, I went to Hawaii for the first time since the pandemic started, and I also went to the Polynesian Cultural Center for the first time in about two and a half years.

According to the information I gathered in advance, I had the impression that the scale was shrinking due to the influence of the pandemic, such as limiting the number of visitors and suspending the package with the tour guide.

So, I was a little worried, but when I actually went there, it seemed that the Polynesian Cultural Center was well adapted to the pandemic, or rather it was even more evolved than before.

This time, I will tell you how the Polynesian Cultural Center changed during the pandemic, so please use it as a reference for your next trip to Hawaii.

What was NOT there
More sophisticated Luau
Better Food
- Ali’i Luau
- Pounders Restaurant
Evolving Night Show
- Female Fire Knife Dancers
- Even easier to follow
Supplementing Tour Guides
Wrap-up

1. What was NOT there

Anyways, before we get in to the main topic, let me just mention below what was NOT there as of November 2021.

HUKI the Canoe Show
Packages with Tour Guides
Hawaiian Journey Theater
Some of the snack bars

“HUKI” the Canoe Show

Unfortunately, the canoe pageant “HUKI” that was held everyday at 14:30 is on hold at the moment.
Instead, I think it’s good to go around Hukilau Marketplace or have lunch at the “Pounder’s Restaurant” that I will talk about later.

Packages with Tour Guide

Currently, the 4 packages below are offered, and the only package with a tour guide is the “Exclusive Super Ambassador Luau Package“.

Packages other than the “Exclusive Super Ambassador Luau Package” do not come with a tour guide, so you will have to navigate and explore inside the park yourself.

The park schedule is on the official website, but it seems that the schedule may vary due to a pandemic. So it’s a good idea to ask the villagers in the park.

Now, let’s move on to the main topics.

2. More Sophisticated Luau

The first thing that surprised me was the change in Ali’i Luau. The theme of the whole luau has been renewed, and the food has become more diverse and delicious.

Previously, performances were performed in a variety of music and dances from the islands of Polynesia, but the new version, named “Onipa’a”, is a tribute to Queen Liliuokalani throughout.

In other words, it is composed entirely of Hawaiian music and hula.

On the other hand, the dances and fire knife dances of other Polynesian islands show a larger scale than the luau at the night show “HA: Breath of Life”.

When we were guided to our seats, there was a pamphlet introducing the contents of the luau.
As a composer, Liliuokalani has left many songs, and the songs she wrote will be performed.

Of course, one of her masterpieces, “Aloha ‘Oe” too.

In addition to playing the music of Liliuokalani, there is also a ceremony to welcome Liliuokalani to the venue, and the walls that surround us were full of pictures of Liliuokalani and her family, so the theme of the entire luau is clear.
By the way, “Onipa’a”, which means “Steadfastness” in English, was her motto.

It’s just a personal impression, but as a luau, the new version is more sophisticated, and with the luau’s performance becoming Hawaiian music and hula, I think that the night show can be enjoyed with a fresher feeling than before.

> Ali’i Luau Buffet at Polynesian Cultural Center

3. Better Food

Regarding cooking, the chef who was originally at the Pounder’s Restaurant at Hukilau Marketplace has just been assigned as the head of the food services in the entire PCC. As a result, the food at Ali’i Luau and Gateway Restaurant has become even better.

Ali’i Luau

I actually had the meal at Ali’i Luau.
Personally, the tuna poke and the Pipi Kaula have clearly improved, and there were more dishes than before.

There is a new carving station where the chef cuts fish and meat on the spot.

Also, pina colada in a pineapple bowl was distributed to everyone for free.

This is also a very good deal as this particular drink was previously sold at $10, separately from the regular menu.
The straw stuck in it is made of bamboo and you can take them home with you too.

Pounders Restaurant

The food at the Pounder’s Restaurant at the Hukilau Marketplace, which is adjacent to the PCC, has also been improved.

It seems that the change has been made after the appointment of a new master chef.

This is Graham Elliot, the new master chef.
As many of you may know, he is the owner of the two-star restaurant Graham Elliot Bistro.
And so far, he’s been a judge on popular cooking shows such as FOX TV’s Master Chef and Emmy’s winner Top Chef.

Here are some of the dishes you can enjoy at the Pounders Restaurant.

The mahi mahi on the salad was seasoned like Japanese food, and the combination of the crispy outside of the fish and the thick sauce was quite amazing.

Ahi Poke Nachos with spicy mayonnaise already sounds good, right? It was special with the taro chips and the pineapple on it. That’s a lot of “Hawaii” in a single dish.

Hawaiian mango pizza is a gem that combines plenty of cheese and salty bacon with the refreshing sweetness of mango.

This char siu pork chop is covered with mango salsa, and below is a purple sweet potato mashed potato. Bok choy also feels like Chinese food.

Not only was it delicious to eat, but it also looked beautiful, and there were many “unique” dishes that used plenty of Hawaiian and Polynesian ingredients.

The occasional East Asian flavor also makes me feel like Hawaii, which has accepted many Asian immigrants.

Many people use it for lunch before going to PCC, so please check it out.

> All About Hukilau Marketplace in North Shore

4. Evolving Night Show

Next, there was a slight change in the night show “HA Breath of Life”.

Female Fire Knife Dancers

First of all, the fire knife dance, which can be said to be the most exciting part of the night show, was accompanied by some female dancers.

They were taught by their father and cousin brothers who are fire knife dancers. This is also “Polynesian culture”, isn’t it?

Easier to Follow the Show

Another minor change is that the country name and subtitle are now displayed on the monitors on both sides of the stage when each performance of the show begins.

They play the growth of the main character Mana through music and dance from various countries, but it is easier to follow the story because it is displayed as follows.

Country Name	Title
Tonga	Birth
Hawaii	Childhood
Aotearoa	Growing Up
Samoa	Love
Tahiti	Marriage
Fiji	Family

The story itself is universal and simple, but it’s a change that makes it even easier to understand.

5. Supplementing Tour Guides

As I mentioned at the beginning, the only package with a tour guide is the “Exclusive Super Ambassador Luau Package“, so unless you purchase this particular package, you have to make plans and navigate the park yourself.

However, the villagers in the park talked to us and showed us the time of shows and activities and what we can enjoy in real time.

You can also use the official app to see the start times of presentations and activities in each village.

They are trying to make up for the part that the tour guide was responsible for in other ways as much as possible, so that they can enjoy it as much as possible without the tour guide.

6. Wrap-up

So, how was it?

The impact of the pandemic, which began in 2020, was also significant for the PCC, forcing it to close for about 10 months from March 2020 to January 2021.

As I introduced at the beginning, there are still some things that seem to be dormant, but the other parts are wonderful, and I didn’t care about the ones that were dormant.

I was very impressed by the strength of his PCC, which continues to evolve beyond the sea.

Experience the Polynesian Cultural Center on your next trip to Hawaii, where you can get in touch with Polynesia and learn more about Hawaii.

Official Site: Polynesian Cultural Center
Price and Packages: Ticket Options | Polynesian Cultural Center