POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER HONORS HAWAII'S 2005 DISTRICT AND STATE TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Event Marks 19th Year as a Sponsor of the State Program

Honolulu, HI: The Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) continued its
partnership with the Department of Education (DOE) by helping to recognize the State's outstanding teachers at the Hawaii 2005 District Teacher of the Year awards ceremony held at Moanalua Middle School today. Representative from the PCC's Hawaiian Village were on hand to present each of the seven school district teachers of the year with $500.

PCC has been a corporate sponsor of the DOE program since 1986, making the Center one of the longest contributing sponsors. Over the past 19 years, PCC has awarded nearly $86,000 to district and state teachers of the year.
Its continued contribution reinforces PCC's commitment to support teachers and students, as well as other educational endeavors.

"We are extremely proud to have been a part of such a worthwhile and valuable program for 19 years now," said Les Steward, PCC assistant to the president. "Programs like the Hawaii 2005 Teacher of the Year allow PCC to fulfill its commitment to support education and to giving back to the community, which is all part of the PCC mission."

The 2005 DOE district teachers of the year are:
* Honolulu - Gail Anne Pottenger, Washington Middle School

* Central Oahu - Don Tsuha , Moanalua Middle School

* Leeward Oahu - Tracy Taylor, Kapolei Middle School

* Windward Oahu - Winona Oato, Kailua High School

* Hawaii - June Sheffield, Pahoa High & Intermediate School

* Maui - Cynthia Bennett, Baldwin High School

* Kauai - Rene Relacion, Kapaa Middle School

In addition, Winona Oato of Kailua High School was announced as the Hawaii
2005 Teacher of the Year. PCC presented Oato with an additional $1,000.

"We congratulate these teachers who have achieved so much," said Les Steward, PCC assistant to the president. "Educators are such an important part of our community because they help shape our future leaders through their work. The PCC is proud to support their efforts each year."

Founded in 1963 as a non-profit organization, the PCC has entertained more than 31 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 nearly 14,000 young people from over 70 different countries while they attend Brigham Young University-Hawaii. As a non-profit organization, 100 percent of PCC's revenue is used for daily operations and to support education.

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