Helpful Information and Tips when visiting the Polynesian Cultural Center
The Polynesian Culture Center (PCC) is Hawaii’s number one paid attraction, located on Oahu along the famous North Shore. This unique place was created to share the cultures, arts, and crafts of Polynesia. The place is filled with the embodiment of the six islands: Hawaii, Samoa, Tonga, Tahiti, Fiji, and Aotearoa.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, many things have changed around the Polynesian Culture Center. As of today, the Center is back in full operation.
If you are a first-timer or a return visitor and are planning a trip to visit the Polynesian Culture Center, here is some important information and helpful tips you need to know before you arrive.
What is the weather like in Hawaii?
Hawaii only has two seasons, summer and winter. Summer runs from May to October, and the average daytime summer temperature at sea level is 85° F (29.4° C). Winter runs from November to April, and the average daytime winter temperature is 78° (25.6° C). Moreover, temperatures at night are approximately 10° F lower than in the daytime.
How to book a ticket for the Polynesian Cultural Center?
You can search polynesia.com on Google or whatever browser you are familiar with then choose one of the packages you want to buy. If you don’t want to do it yourself or eliminate stress figuring out the different packages, contact the PCC Information Center. Trust me; even the Hawaii names will throw you off. I guarantee you will get the best help and result if you speak with an agent.
What are recent mandate updates which affect the Polynesian Cultural Center?
- The Polynesian Cultural Center strictly follows the city-mandated Safe Access Oahu Program. Therefore, fully vaccinated guests ages 12 and above must wear a color wristband throughout the Center at all times to indicate they have presented the appropriate health documents to PCC staff. Upon arrival, you must show your negative COVID-19 test and photo ID from 12:30 pm — 5:00 pm at the Welcome Center.
- You are not required to wear a mask outdoors, but you must wear it indoors upon entering the buildings and theaters. It is mandatory for ages 5 and up.
Other changes that you need to know
You probably read somewhere out there a negative guest review of what the PCC currently offers. I know you miss your favorite Huki Show and other things before the pandemic. The purpose of these changes is to avoid large crowds and the spread of Covid-19 by any means. The safety of the guests and the PCC employees is the top priority. Below is a list of those safety changes:
- There is only one luau and one buffet. In the past, it used to have two luaus, Hale Aloha and Hale Ohana, and two buffets, Prime Dining and Island Gateway. Therefore, with the size reduced to only two venues, PCC can put more staffing to ensure areas are thoroughly clean and sanitized upon your arrival.
- The Huki Show is unavailable this time until further notice to eliminate the spread of Covid-19. For first-timers, the Huki Show is the famous 30 minutes canoe show on the lagoon during the middle of the day, involving big gatherings of spectators.
- Seats at the luau, restaurants and night shows are limited due to State and County COVID-19 mandates. Make sure to buy your tickets in advance to get those seatings.
What time does the Polynesian Culture Center open and close?
The Center is open from Monday to Saturday (except Wednesday and Sunday) from 12:45 pm — 9:00 pm. It also closes on Christmas and Thanksgiving Days. If you are wondering what will happen if it’s raining on the day you arrive, always remember this: Rain or shine, the Center is still open. If you don’t have or forget an umbrella, don’t worry about it; you can pick up a rain poncho from Guest Services or any of the convenient shops. One thing to know is that the luau and buffet are in a covered venue. So, you won’t be eating and drinking in the rain.
Now that you know about the PCC a little more, here are the top 5 tips you must know when visiting.
Tip Number One: Plan out to spend the whole day at the Polynesia Cultural Center
More often than not, guests plan out a full-day itinerary packed with various activities thinking that a couple of hours dedicated to the PCC is enough time for their visit, but by spending that doesn’t build enough time to truly enjoy this one-of-a-kind experience. Yes, rather than rushing, you can truly enjoy all 42 acres. For instance, each island sector has a performance that runs approximately 20 mins plus the villages offer lots of hands-on activities, including canoe rides, games, crafts, and trying out the hula!
To be able to see all 6 island villages, you should plan to set aside at least three hours. Then there is your choice of dinner packages. The Ali`i Luau Buffet which includes the beautiful presentation of Onipa`a — a tribute to Queen Liliuokalani, or maybe you would prefer the Gateway Buffet with live music. Thus, approximately (1 hour) for dinner, the HA: Breath of Life night show (1:30 minutes), plus lunch, time to shop, and time to just sit back and enjoy the beauty of the Center. In all, it is best to plan on a total of 7 hours to experience all that the PCC provides. Remember, the Hukilau Marketplace opens at noon, and the Center’s gate opens at 12:45 pm.
Tip Number Two: Wear comfortable shoes
This is the most common question I encountered when I worked at the Polynesian Culture Center as a call center agent. First of all, you should know that you’re going to a tropical Island. Because you are going to walk a lot around the park, you do not want to have sore feet. Wear comfortable footwear like walking shoes or well-supported sandals. Avoid wearing heels and boots. Also, for safety reasons, going barefoot is not permitted.
Do you have mobility issues? Did you leave the stroller behind? Not a problem at all. There are scooters, wheelchairs, and strollers that you can rent throughout the day. You can find out more about how to reserve one of these by clicking here https://pccscooters.com/.
Tip Number Three: Wear breezy and comfortable clothes
Leave your bikini at home. It is not the type of clothes to wear when visiting the Polynesian Cultural Center. Keep in mind that Hawaii is humid most of the time. So, don’t forget to bring sunscreen for your skin protection. When it comes to clothes selection, you must wear clothes where the air gets to travel through or clothes that make you feel comfortable.
But if you are planning to eat at the Ali’i Luau or the Gateway Buffet, you need to wear Aloha apparel: Aloha print shirts for men and floral dresses for women. Doing this brings you a sense of belonging, and you will feel the spirit of Aloha to share with others.
Tip Number Four: Bring bottled water or Buy one
Don’t wait till you are thirsty to drink, and don’t wait for the water to come to you. While packing your travel bag, don’t forget to bring your own water bottle. It is that simple! If you run out of water, you can refill it at any drinking fountains located in certain spots inside the park.
However, if you forget to grab your own or don’t want to drink from the water fountain, there are stores in the Center or around the area where you can buy one. Remember to always stay hydrated during your trip.
Tip Number Five: Watch out for the North Shore traffic
Countless times people complain they missed their luaus, and they are not going to make it on time because of traffic from the North Shore. The traffic is always unpredictable, as I speak from experiences. And there are only two ways around the island. So, traffic can not be eliminated, but it can be avoided.
Suppose you purchase a full-day package for the PCC, then the safest time to avoid traffic is to drive earlier in the morning. If you’re only going for the dinner and the Ha Breath of Life night show, the latest time to avoid traffic will be from 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm. Heavy traffic frequently occurs from 3:30 pm — 6:30 pm. Sometimes, unforeseen accidents occur, which causes a huge delay in traffic. Before you start driving, always check on Google Maps on how long the traffic will take in order for you not to miss your itinerary.
Conclusion
It is truly an amazing experience to explore the Polynesian Culture Center and learn what it stands for. It is not just a place but a unique one where you will discover the cultures, arts, and crafts of these six beautiful Polynesian islands: Hawaii, Samoa, Tonga, Tahiti, Fiji, Aotearoa, and much more. Hopefully, the important information and tips I provided will guide you as you prepare for your trip.
Hi, everyone. My name is Quinney Suaava, and writing is one of my hobbies. I felt inspired to write this blog through my experiences and deep knowledge about the Polynesian Cultural Center.
I will appreciate your time in reading and providing feedback on my blog.
