The Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) on Oahu’s North Shore is often mentioned as a must-visit attraction, but with ticket prices ranging from $75.96 to $294.95 a person, many travelers wonder: is it truly worth the investment of time and money?
We visited the PPC in February 2023 and have provided an unbiased review to help you in determining whether it’s worth your time and money during your visit to Oahu. Let’s get into it!
Is the Polynesian Cultural Center Worth It?
Yes! We think the Polynesian Cultural Center is worth the money! We booked the Ali’i Luau package, which is the second most expensive package but includes the luau dinner and evening performance. At the time of this writing, it costs $194.95 for adults and $155.96 for children ages 4 to 11.
Specifically, the package we went with included a group guided tour through the six island villages, the Ali’i Luau buffet, and gold level seating at the Hā: Breath of Life evening show. It was worth it because, in addition to the jam packed activities, our knowledgable tour guide, Bruna, went above and beyond to ensure we had the best experience!
We received priority seating at each of the different island activities and shows and she kept us moving along so that we were able to see everything in one day. Her enthusiasm was genuine and made our day memorable.
What Is the Polynesian Cultural Center?
The Polynesian Cultural Center is located on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii in Laie and opened on October 12, 1963. The PCC is open Monday through Saturday, 11:45 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Not many folks who visit the PCC are aware that it is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and is associated with Brigham Young University Hawaii, which is next door to the PCC. For most, this isn’t a big deal and they still have a wonderful time learning about Polynesian culture; for others it may make you feel a little uncomfortable. If this is something that worries you, we assure you that there is no hidden agenda while at the PCC. We knew this prior to our visit and honestly did not feel pressured by any of the staff to donate or join the church.
The PCC spans 42 acres and operates as a non-profit organization that preserves and showcases authentic Polynesian heritage through six distinct villages representing Hawaii, Samoa, Aotearoa (New Zealand), Fiji, Tahiti, and Tonga. Each village offers hands-on cultural experiences like hula dancing, spear throwing, fire making, and traditional games, with hourly performances that bring thousands of years of cultural traditions to life through authentic demonstrations by Pacific Island natives.
Beyond the village experiences, PCC employs approximately 1,300 people (70% being BYU-Hawaii students), and has provided financial assistance to over 12,000 students since opening. The center also features evening entertainment including the spectacular show “Hā: Breath of Life” with over 100 performers, canoe celebrations on the lagoon, an IMAX theater, luau dining experiences, and shopping at the Hukilau Marketplace – making it both a cultural preservation site and Hawaii’s top paid attraction with nearly one million annual visitors.
How to Plan Your Day at the Polynesian Cultural Center?
Planning your visit to PCC requires choosing the right package and understanding what you’ll experience. The center operates Monday through Saturday from 11:45 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., giving you plenty of time to explore the grounds.
Ticket Package Options
PCC offers five main packages to suit different budgets and preferences – two of these packages include the evening luau and Hā: Breath of Life show. We went with the Ali’i Luau package, which we thought was the best bang for our buck because we wanted to experience all of the PCC villages as well as the evening events.
- The Islands of Polynesia package ($94.95 adult, $47.48 child) gives you a self-guided experience through all six villages until 5:30 p.m. Dinner is not included in this package.
- The Islands of Polynesia & Hā: Breath of Life package ($124.95 adult, $62.48 child) adds the spectacular evening show with over 100 performers. Dinner is also not included in this package.
- For a full day with dining, the Gateway Buffet package ($149.95 adult, $119.96 child) includes an all-you-can-eat buffet featuring island-inspired dishes.
- The premium Ali’i Luau package ($194.95 adult, $155.96 child) offers a group guided tour and traditional Polynesian feast with live entertainment. See comparison below.
- The top-tier Super Ambassador Luau package ($294.95 adult, $235.96 child) provides a private guided tour for the ultimate VIP experience. See comparison below.
Getting to the PCC from Honolulu
Since most tourists stay in Waikiki, there are several options for transportation to the PCC. You can take the bus for just $3, which takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes with buses departing every 30 minutes. Driving yourself takes about 1 hour and 3 minutes covering about 34 miles. We decided to drive as we stayed at the Embassy Suites By Hilton Oahu Kapolei. We highly recommend this hotel if you do not want to stay in busy/congested Honolulu or Waikiki and don’t mind being a little further away from the hustle and bustle. A quick tip: if you stay here, you can park your car for free on the street instead of paying for parking behind the hotel. However, you will be competing with the apartment residents across the street. We didn’t have any issues finding parking but this is something to be aware of if you decide not to park in the hotel parking lot.
PCC also offers motor coach transportation for $28, picking up from designated Waikiki locations at 10:30 a.m. with narrated commentary, returning around 10:30 p.m. This would probably be the best option if you’re staying in Honolulu or Waikiki and don’t have a rental car, or prefer not to make the drive to the North Shore.
Lastly, there is a Courtyard by Marriott hotel right next to the PCC for those who prefer not to drive 1+ hours or take public transportation after a long day of exploration, luaus and evening performances. The Hā: Breath of Life show ends at around 9 p.m. so the hotel option doesn’t seem like a bad idea!
The Six Polynesian Villages
Each village represents authentic Polynesian culture with hourly presentations from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Samoa Village features fire knife demonstrations, coconut tree climbing shows, and learning to weave fish from coconut leaves. Keep an eye out for Kap Tafiti! You won’t want to miss his fire dancing, coconut husking, tree climbing, and cultural education. Don’t forget to ask for a photo with him (this is one thing we regret not doing!).
- Tonga Village offers canoe paddling on the river, traditional games like Lafo, and weaving windmills from coconut leaves.
- Fiji Village showcases a six-story temple backdrop, warrior welcomes, traditional dances, and hands-on activities like making coconut oil and getting temporary tattoos.
- Tahiti Village is known for fast-paced dancing, coconut bread tasting, spear throwing, and traditional wedding ceremonies.
- Hawaii Village teaches authentic hula lessons, traditional games, and Hawaiian cultural practices.
- Aotearoa (New Zealand) Village features powerful Maori haka performances and traditional Maori customs.
The villages are connected by a winding lagoon, where you can take a canoe tour, and each offers different hands-on activities, cultural demonstrations, and opportunities to interact with Pacific Islander students who work at the center while attending nearby BYU-Hawaii.
When Is the Best Time to Visit the Polynesian Cultural Center?
The Polynesian Cultural Center is open Monday through Saturday and is closed on Sundays for church. Weekdays are generally less crowded than Saturdays, with Monday being the least busy day if you want to avoid larger crowds.
Spring and fall months offer the best visiting conditions with mild weather and fewer tourists compared to peak summer season. We usually like to visit Hawaii during our birthday months, February and September, which tends to have fewer crowds since kids are in school during these months. The weather is more mild in September and it’s not as hot and humid as July and August (I, Edgar, ran Spartan in August 2024 and it was torture!).
The center opens at 12:30 p.m. but we recommend arriving around 11:30 a.m. to be there when the box office opens. We drove to the PCC from our hotel in Kapolei, which took about 1 hour and 15 minutes, and arrived 30 minutes early to check out the Hukilau Marketplace prior to doors opening.
You should plan to spend at least 8-9 hours at PCC to fully experience everything, from the village tours to the evening Hā: Breath of Life show that runs until about 9 p.m. The good news is that any ticket you purchase gives you a FREE 3-day pass to the villages after the initial visit, so you can spread your visit across three days if you prefer shorter visits or have young children. We ended up returning the next day to get our money’s worth!
We recommend getting your tickets ahead of time since the luau and show regularly sell out, and it allows you to skip the long ticketing lines. Click the link below for a discount!
Ali’i Luau and Dinner Review
The Ali’i Luau at PCC exceeded our expectations with its well-organized setup and stage positioning for viewing the cultural presentations. There was really no bad table or seat. Unlike other luaus we have been to with shared table seating, we got our own private table. There were even servers that walked around to refill our drinks!
When we arrived at the Hale Aloha venue, we were greeted with traditional fresh flower leis and a warm “aloha” that immediately set the tone. The Mango Otai served in a fresh pineapple was a refreshing welcome drink, but we had to remind ourselves to save space in our bellies for the plethora of food at the buffet!
The Royal Court procession was a highlight, featuring performers in the colors and clothing of ancient Hawaiian royalty (Ali’i). We also witnessed the imu ceremony where they presented the traditionally cooked kalua pig from an underground oven, accompanied by explanations of this ancient Hawaiian cooking method and its cultural significance.
Overall, the food quality was better than other luaus we’ve attended. The buffet featured traditional Hawaiian cuisine like lomilomi salmon, Hawaiian poi, kalua pork (Edgar’s favorite), Haupia, and chicken long rice. The buffet also included additional items like huli huli chicken, pipikaula with orange rosemary glaze, pan-seared fish, teriyaki braised beef, honey roasted sweet potatoes, taro rolls, and a fresh poke bar for variety. There was also a self-serve ice cream dispenser – we did not try it but it seemed popular with the kids!
Main Dishes:
| Baked Mahi Mahi | Shoyu Chicken | Lau Lau |
| Beef Teriyaki | Kalua Pua’a | Huli Huli Chicken |
| Chicken Long Rice |
Hawaiian Side Dishes:
| Taro Rolls | Squid Lūʻau | Hawaiian Poi |
| Poke Bowl | Baked Sweet Potato | Lomi Lomi Salmon |
| Pipi Kaula | Hawaiian Potato Salad |
Desserts:
| Butter Mochi | Guava Cake | Pineapple Upside Down Cake |
| Lilikoʻi (passion fruit) Chiffon Cake | Coconut Cake | Chocolate Mochi |
| Poi Mochi | Haupia | Hawaiian Kulolo |
| Coconut Pie | Macadamia Cream Pie | Guava Pie |
We thought the luau and dinner atmosphere was great – set against a backdrop of waterfalls, gardens, and the lagoon with live Hawaiian music featuring ukulele and steel guitar. The amount of time we had was perfect because usually luaus feel rushed, but PCC allowed ample time to enjoy both the food and entertainment without feeling hurried.
The timing between the luau dinner and the Hā: Breath of Life show was perfectly coordinated for a seamless experience. By the time dinner was over, we headed over to the theater and were escorted to our seats, which were 4 rows back from the stage! This is why we felt that the Ali’i Luau package was well worth the money!
Hā: Breath of Life Show Review
Overall, we thought the broadway-quality show was fantastic. It almost felt a bit too long, but well worth it due to the amazing story-telling. We were exhausted because we had just finished a big meal and had been walking around the PCC since 11 a.m., so the nearly 90-minute runtime felt pretty noticeable by evening. If you have little ones, they might get tired before the show even starts.
The Hā: Breath of Life show featured over 100 performers representing all of the Polynesian cultures showcased throughout PCC. The production value was impressive with elaborate costumes, dramatic lighting effects, and a multi-level stage that created an immersive theatrical experience.
The show followed the story of Mana, a young Polynesian man who had to overcome challenges and discover his true identity through various trials across different island cultures. Each act seamlessly transitioned between the different Polynesian villages, showcasing their unique dances, music, and cultural traditions while advancing the central narrative.
The fire dancing acts were absolutely amazing and had the entire audience sitting on the edge of their seat. The Samoan fire knife dancing and the Maori haka performances were also standouts that showcased the athletic abilities and cultural authenticity of the performers.
The theater featured a sophisticated stage with waterfalls, volcanic effects, and multi-level platforms that created dramatic scenes throughout the performance. The sound system and lighting design enhanced every cultural presentation, making you feel transported to each Polynesian island as the story unfolded.
Being seated just 4 rows back from the stage gave us an incredible view of the intricate choreography and facial expressions of the performers. The theater’s semi-circle layout ensured that every seat had a good view, and the performers’ energy and passion for their cultural heritage was evident throughout the entire show.
Despite feeling slightly long after a full day at PCC, the show delivered exceptional entertainment value and served as the perfect way to end our day at PCC. In our opinion, the combination of storytelling, authentic cultural performances, and high production value made it a must-see experience that justified the ticket price and time. Have we convinced you to book your visit yet?!
What can I expect from my visit to the Polynesian Cultural Center in Hawaii?
During your visit to the Polynesian Cultural Center, you can expect an immersive cultural experience showcasing the various cultures of the Polynesian islands. The center offers cultural activities, traditional performances, and the opportunity to learn about Polynesian life.
Is the luau show at the Polynesian Cultural Center worth attending?
Yes, the luau show at the Polynesian Cultural Center is highly recommended. The luau and the show (Hā: Breath of Life) features traditional Polynesian dance, music, and a delicious luau feast!
What types of cultural activities are available at the PCC?
The Polynesian Cultural Center offers a variety of cultural activities of the Polynesian people, including canoe rides around the lagoon, hula dancing lessons, and demonstrations on how to open a coconut using traditional techniques.
What is the Hukilau Marketplace at the Polynesian Cultural Center?
The Hukilau Marketplace is an area within the Polynesian Cultural Center where visitors can shop for souvenirs, learn to play a ukelele, enjoy local foods, and experience more of the Hawaiian culture before or after their visit to the center. We bought our coffee at the Hukilau Marketplace before we went into the PCC.
Is the Polynesian Cultural Center similar to a theme park?
While the Polynesian Cultural Center has attractions like a theme park, it focuses more on cultural education and interactive experiences rather than amusement rides.
Are there any special events or performances during my visit to the PCC?
Most likely. The Polynesian Cultural Center frequently hosts special events and performances. Check their schedule for any unique shows or celebrations that coincide with your visit to the center.
Final Thoughts on the Polynesian Cultural Center
After spending a full day at the Polynesian Cultural Center, we can confidently say it’s one of Oahu’s most worthwhile attractions. The combination of authentic cultural experiences, educational value, and high-quality entertainment justifies the cost, especially if you choose the Ali’i Luau package like we did.
What Made It Worth It
The guided tour with our enthusiastic BYU-Hawaii student guide Bruna elevated the entire experience beyond what we could have achieved on our own. Having priority access to activities and shows, plus her genuine passion for Polynesian culture, made the day truly memorable and educational. The cultural activities allowed us to immerse ourselves in each village. I won’t forget hula dancing with Amanda on the lawn in the afternoon!
Value for Money
While the ticket prices may seem steep initially, the amount of content and experiences you receive throughout the 8-9 hour day makes it comparable to visiting multiple attractions. There’s a lot to see, so the fact that your ticket includes re-entry for multiple days adds even more value if you want to return.
Our Recommendation
If you’re visiting Oahu and have interest in Polynesian culture, the PCC should be on your must-visit list. The combination of village experiences, cultural demonstrations, the Ali’i Luau, and the spectacular Hā: Breath of Life show creates an unforgettable day that you’ll be talking about long after your Hawaii vacation ends. We still talk about it to this day and hope to bring our little one in the future!
Ready to Visit?
If you found our review helpful and want to experience the Polynesian Cultural Center for yourself, we recommend booking in advance since the luau and shows regularly sell out. Use our affiliate discount link with Promo Code: early10 to save on your tickets and secure your spot at this incredible cultural attraction. You won’t regret adding this authentic Polynesian experience to your Oahu itinerary! Let us know your thoughts after your visit! Aloha!
