Polynesian Cultural Center Welcomes Two New Partners to its Popular Passport to Polynesia Program

October 4, 2007

La'ie, HI: Now in its third year, the “Passport to Polynesia” program continues to give families a chance to play together while learning about Polynesian culture at the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC). This year, the PCC introduces new promotions and partners for Passport to Polynesia. Snorkfin, the on-site snorkel shop at Hanauma Bay, and Denny’s have come on board, along with Coldstone Creamery, with exciting offers to further enhance a family’s vacation fun.

“We are thrilled about our new partners, Denny’s and Snorkfin and we hope our keiki visitors will be able to take advantage of our new special offers,” said Raymond Magalei, director of marketing for the PCC. “We are continually working on ways to ensure that our visitor experience at the PCC is one that the entire family can enjoy together.”

The Passport to Polynesia is a child’s guide to navigating the fun activities and shows presented at the PCC which they can take home as a souvenir full of memories from their trip. This colorful booklet features a schedule of the day’s activities geared toward a family experience, as well as space to write down the greeting for each island village and collect themed stamps to show completion of the games or activities. If the child collects at least four stamps, he or she qualifies for a free prize at Pacifica Marketplace, a free kid’s meal with the purchase of an adult meal at Denny’s, free keiki ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery and a free upgrade to a dry snorkeling set from Snorkfin at Hanauma Bay.

The Passport also includes fun facts about each island, games that they can play at each island and a fun illustration. The keepsake booklet is a reminder of the exciting, educational experience they had at the PCC with their family. It’s also a tool they can use to supplement their schoolwork when they return to school.

Village activities are always fun at the PCC, and with ohana-friendly games highlighted to give parents and children an opportunity to learn together, the experience is family bonding at its best. The schedule of activities for families puts them on course to play together throughout the islands of Polynesia. Families can begin their journey through Polynesian with a canoe tour along the lagoon that snakes its way across PCC. Kids can make their first stop in the Islands of Tonga where they can participate in spear tossing or play lafo, the Tongan shuffleboard. Tahiti offers the chance to learn its famous technique of dance as well as drumming and fishing. Before pig hunting in Marquesas, kids can stop off at the Lagoon to watch the Rainbows of Paradise Canoe Pageant.

In the Hawaiian village, families can sample freshly pounded poi, or challenge each other in konane or ulu maika, Hawaiian-style checkers and bowling. In Fiji, they will learn to play the derua and kids can try on a parent-approved traditional tattoo that can be washed away later. Families can then travel to Aotearoa (New Zealand) to learn about traditional weaponry and to play tititorea, a stick game. Before the kids reach their final destination, they can stop by Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island, to admire the giant Moai statues that still inhabit the island. In Samoa, fire is the center of attention as kids watch and learn to make fire with sticks and how to twirl the fireknife with padded practice sticks.

Before visiting the La'ie Hawai'i Temple Visitors’ Center or staying for the spectacular night show, parents and kids can watch the IMAX film “Coral Reef Adventure”, a movie about the oceans and its important relationship to those who live on the land.

There is no additional cost to get a Passport to Polynesia. Children can obtain their booklets at the ticket counter or customer information booth. General admission packages start at $40 for adults and $36 for kids. Keiki under 3 are free. Upgrades to other PCC packages, including the award-winning Ali'i Lu'au and Horizons night show, are available for purchase to enhance the family experience even further. For more information or to book a reservation, call (800) 367-7060 or visit www.Polynesia.com.

Founded in 1963 as a non-profit organization, the PCC has entertained more than 32 million visitors while preserving and portraying the culture, arts, and crafts of Polynesia to the rest of the world. In addition, the PCC has provided financial assistance to 15,000 young people from more than 70 different countries while they have attended Brigham Young University-Hawai'i. As a non-profit organization, all funds generated by the PCC are used for its daily operations and to support its cultural and educational missions.

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