Visit one of Hawaii's biggest cultural attractions! Oahu's Polynesian Cultural Center celebrates the traditional Polynesian culture and gives visitors a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in six Polynesian villages. Visit Tonga, Tahiti, Fiji, New Zealand (Aotearoa), Samoa, and Hawaii as you embark on a journey through the island nations of Polynesia. See islanders reenact war dances and wedding ceremonies, carve tiki figures, or climb barefoot for coconuts. The Polynesian Cultural Center opens at 1 p.m., allowing you the entire afternoon to explore all the six different villages. A great way to learn the history and culture of Polynesia, take a trip to the Polynesian Cultural Center for a fantastic and educational day!
How does it work?
Depending on which package you book, you will have access to either the six island villages of the Polynesian Cultural Center, the Gateway Buffet dinner, the "HA: Breath of Life" evening show, or a combination of two of the listed options.
The Polynesian Cultural Center offers a window into the diverse cultures across Polynesia, and due to the many activities that are offered, it would be wise to plan ahead and decide what you would like to experience before your visit.
Operating hours are Monday through Saturday, and gates open at 12:30 PM, and depending on your package, you will be able to experience one or more of the following activities.
Visit the six island villages (12:30 PM - 5:00 PM)
Spend the afternoon exploring six Polynesian villages at your own pace, and learn about Hawaii, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, New Zealand, and Tahiti on a self-guided tour. Each village has its own stage and activity area where performers play music, dance, and host interactive workshops and demonstrations. Depending on the village, activities include dancing, cooking, traditional skills, and games. Performances take place on a rotating schedule, so you should be able to see all six in one day. There is also a special exhibit on Easter Island, and canoe rides that go through the heart of the Polynesian Cultural Center.
Gateway Buffet dinner with live music (4:30PM - 7:00PM)
After your day exploring the islands of Polynesia, it is time to enjoy a premier dining experience with live music and a relaxed atmosphere. Enjoy a flavorful selection of Polynesian-inspired, Asian and American dishes that you can select from the dinner buffet. Locally sourced organic ingredients maintain freshness and produce a flavor palette that is unique to the surrounding land and sea. Should you finish dinner early, visit the Hukilau Marketplace, or take a tour of the Laie Temple Visitors Center before the evening show begins.
“HA: Breath of Life” evening (7:30PM - 9:00PM)
The evening concludes with the incredible "Ha: Breath of Life" show, well known as one of the largest shows in Hawaii, and features a cast of more than 100 performers from all across Polynesia. Held in a spacious custom-built theater, the open-air amphitheater offers sweeping views of the stage no matter where you are seated. Silver level seating at the "Ha: Breath of Life" evening show is included with your Polynesian Cultural Center ticket purchase.
Why do travelers choose this tour?
The Polynesian Cultural Center stands as a top attraction in Hawaii, and it is often compared to Epcot Center at Walt Disney World. Just as Epcot allows visitors to explore various countries, here you will traverse the many Polynesian island nations for a similar immersive experience.
Every village highlighted within the Polynesian Cultural Center offers genuine traditional music, dance, cultural exhibits, artisanal crafts, and additional activities. These are all led and instructed by practitioners native to Hawaii, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, New Zealand, Tahiti, or individuals who have undergone rigorous training under local experts.
Guests opting for a package with the Gateway Buffet dinner will definitely see first hand how the Polynesian Cultural Center provides an exceptional dining experience. Renowned for its quality, this buffet stands out not only within the Polynesian Cultural Center, but also across Oahu as one of the finest dining choices. Offering an extensive selection of over 30 diverse dishes representing Pacific and international cuisine, it boasts the most extensive array of food among all buffets in Hawaii.
And if you book a “Ha: Breath of Life” evening show package, you chose well since it should not be missed! Enjoy a 90-minute Broadway-level performance with music, song, and dance from all over Polynesia, all accompanied by incredible special effects, a masive open air stage, and hundreds of performers. It is no wonder that this show has won a number of different awards for excellence in performance and for perpetuating Polynesian culture.
Local expert tips
- Say “Hi,” and talk to a cultural practitioner in the village! They welcome your questions and the opportunity to tell the stories of their beloved ancestral home
- This activity books up quickly, and we highly suggest booking 2 to 4 weeks in advance, especially during busy seasons like summer and spring break.
- If you have the Islands of Polynesia admission as a part of your package, plan to arrive a little before the gates open, and walk around Hukilau Marketplace, the best option to grab lunch before your day begins. The Hukilau Marketplace is located at the entrance of the Polynesian Cultural Center, and is open to the public from 11:00 AM to 9:30 PM.
- Recommend attire: All attractions are outdoors with limited shade. Wear comfortable clothes and footwear. We also recommend bringing a light rain jacket, water and sunscreen.
Other attractions and things to do at the Polynesian Cultural Center
- Check out the Hukilau Marketplace, a great place to eat and shop, and has many food vendors, including coffee, shave ice, ice cream, smoothies, crepes, Thai food and more! Get some shopping down at their art galleries and a wide variety of souvenir shops.
- Take a picture in front of the statue of Hamana Kalili of Laie, famous for creating the popular and iconic Hawaiian shaka greeting. Take a picture with him, and learn the story of how the unique shaka greeting came to be.
- Walk through the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame which honors Polynesia’s greatest players, coaches and contributors.
- Jump on to the Laie Tram Ride Tour, a 35-minute open-air tram ride tour around Laie and the BYU campus. Departs every 20 minutes from 3:00PM to 6:40PM. (Available with Islands of Polynesia General Admission packages only)
- Watch the movie "Hawaiian Journey" for a fascinating look at how Polynesians made their way to the islands of Hawaii and beyond. Shown in a beautifully renovated theater that depicts a dormant volcano on the outside, this 12-minute film is one that should not be missed. (Available with Islands of Polynesia General Admission packages only)
- Explore the Ukulele Experience Gallery, and see the tools and machinery used to help make the instruments. You can even take a free ukulele lesson, and it is open until 7:30PM.
- Glide through the center on a guided canoe ride that boards right outside the villages and travels throughout the resort lagoon. Departs regularly from 12:45PM to 5:30PM. (Available with Islands of Polynesia General Admission packages only)
- See the Iosepa canoe, and learn about the migration of early Polynesia while looking at a fully functioning double-hulled canoe. (Available with Islands of Polynesia General Admission packages only)
How to get there?
Located on Oahu’s northeast corner of the island, in a small town called Laie in the North Shore, the Polynesian Cultural Center is approximately a 60 to 75 minutes drive from Waikiki and Ko Olina hotels. Parking is complimentary and readily available as well.
If you are staying in the Waikiki area, round-trip transportation is available for an additional fee, with pick-up starting at approximately 10:00AM.
Polynesian Cultural Center Wheelchair Accessibility Information
- All areas at the Polynesian Cultural Center are both wheelchair and scooter accessible with the exception of the canoe rides.
- Guests wanting to do the canoe ride will need to be able to stand and go into the canoe without assistance, and non-motorized wheelchairs can be folded and brought on board.
- Wheelchairs and scooters can be rented, and should only be used for guests that are able to walk short distances since the equipment will need to be returned prior to attending the evening show.
- If you would like to rent a wheelchair or scooter, you will need to book through ScooterVille at least 24 hours prior to your activity date. Wheelchair and scooter rentals will not be available for same-day rental without a reservation.
- Guests utilizing wheelchairs or scooters should get to each village presentation at least 15 minutes prior to the start time to ensure adequate time for seating. Some village presentation areas will require your mobility device to go over some grass or gravel.
- Solo travelers are welcome to ask for assistance at anytime, but wheelchair pushing services will not be provided.
- In the event that you are seated in an area that is not comfortable for you, please do not hesitate to bring up your concerns with staff members.
