Lu’au and War Club Given Merit Awards in Separate Categories

La’ie - April 1, 2004 - The Polynesian Cultural Center’s Ali'i Luau was
honored today at the Hawai’i Visitors and Convention Bureau’s annual Kahili Awards when it was named the best of the “Performing Arts and Shows” category. The lu'au also received an award of merit in the “Attractions” category.

Launched in mid-2003, the all-new Ali’i Lu’au stays true to the Hawaiian culture by introducing guests to the royal traditions of old Hawai’i with the presentation of the Ali’i Court and explanation of their attire and implements. Then, from King Kamehameha’s era to King Kalakaua, the songs, dances and costumes are designed to showcase the culture and people as they might have been, while also presenting them in a way that entertains visitors at the same time.

“The Ali’i Lu’au is devoted entirely to the preservation and presentation of the Hawaiian culture,” said Cy Bridges, kumu hula and manager at the PCC, who helped formulate the new lu’au. “We designed the program to showcase our island home and all of its bounty in tribute to the ali’i who came before us in hopes that our visitors will educate others about what they learned when they return home.”

Explanations of the costuming, songs and implements, as well as instruments like the ukulele and steel guitar, are all part of helping to educate the visitor on the importance of the lu’au and the culture to the Hawaiian people.

“Our original Ali’i Lu’au was honored in 1996 with the Kahili Award,” said PCC President Von Orgill. “We’re so pleased to be honored by the judges again this year. We are proud of our efforts to help educate our visitors about the Hawaiian culture and it is nice to receive this recognition from our tourism industry leaders for it.”

In addition to the lu’au, the PCC was also awarded a certificate of merit for its retail entry of the “Lei O Mano” or shark tooth dagger. The hand-carved club, or pahoa, is a replica of the clubs used by Hawaiian warriors in ancient times. Carved by local craftsman William Mahoney, the clubs are sold with a descriptive card that shares the history and make of the fierce weapon, which helps to educate window shoppers and those who take it home about its significance in the culture.
The Hawai’i Tourism Authority and the Hawai’i Visitors and Convention Bureau co-sponsor the Kahili Awards competition, launched in 1991. The Kahili is part of the state’s Keep it Hawai’i program that recognizes people and organizations that maintain and perpetuate local culture.

Founded in 1963 as a non-profit organization, the PCC has entertained more than 30 million visitors by preserving and portraying the spirit, culture and people of Polynesia to the rest of the world. More important is the mission of the PCC, which supports the educational mission of Brigham Young University-Hawai’i and provides an extension of the classroom in a workplace setting. Since its establishment, the PCC has employed more than 12,000 BYU-Hawai’i students. As a non-profit organization, 100 percent of the PCC’s revenue is used for daily operations and to support the students who earn their tuition, room and board, and books. The PCC also provides significant financial support to elementary and secondary schools and to college students attending institutions of their choice besides BYU-Hawai’i.