Polynesian Cultural Center To Expand Hawaiian Village

New Facilities and a Home for Iosepa Voyaging Canoe to be Built

La‘ie, HI - November 19, 2004 - The Polynesian Cultural Center is expanding its Hawaiian Village over the next year with $3.5 million in improvements to welcome the Iosepa double-hulled voyaging canoe and increase its program offerings to further highlight the host culture of Hawai‘i.

“Part of what we’re always trying to do is appeal to visitors and at the same time communicate and share unique aspects of Polynesian cultures with the world,” says Polynesian Cultural Center President Von Orgill.

“The Hawaiian culture is our host culture—preserving and sharing it with the world is key to what we do at PCC,” said Orgill, noting that over the next year or so significant changes and additions will be made to the Hawaiian Village. “A new amphitheater for guests in the village will be completed in the next several months and plans are in place for a canoe house to showcase the Iosepa, in its Hawaiian home.

“Housing the Iosepa in the Hawaiian village is a natural match,” said Orgill. “Creation of a halau [house of learning] that will properly display the 57-foot canoe with its sail up, and has plenty of room for guests to view and appreciate it, while enabling the Iosepa to be taken to Hukilau Beach for launching, is planned to begin early in 2005 with completion towards the end of the year.”

“The display will focus on the remarkable ocean-going nature of the ancient Polynesian people, helping visitors better understand how these long-ago mariners traversed 15 million square miles of ocean on vessels similar in shape and size to the Iosepa,” remarked Alfred Grace, Vice President of Marketing & Sales at the PCC.

The Hawaiian Village expansion is being funded solely by donations from interested parties.  Donations received to date will cover the construction costs.  Additional contributions will go towards an endowment to ensure both the facility and the voyaging canoe receive proper care and maintenance.

The management of the halau will be a cooperative effort between the PCC and Brigham Young University-Hawaii’s Jonathan Napela Center for Hawaiian Language and Cultural Studies, whose director is William K. ‘Uncle Bill’ Wallace III.

“The Iosepa will in effect be a floating classroom for students in this special program,” said Orgill.

According to Wallace, “Iosepa’s mana [spiritual essence] was ‘very powerful’ during its maiden voyage this past summer.  We will ensure that all the proper protocol will be followed during the construction of the halau, so that it will be culturally acceptable and at the same time, something that will last.  It’s not only for PCC visitors, but for the Hawaiian students and the community as well.”

Wallace continued, “I think it is appropriate Iosepa will be in the Hawaiian Village at the PCC. We Native Hawaiians see ourselves as kanaka maoli [stewards of the land], and along with this comes a strong sense of cultural responsibility. This halau will be a great addition to the PCC and to the entire Hawaiian community as well.”

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 14,000 young people from over 70 different countries while they attend Brigham Young University-Hawai‘i.  As a non-profit organization, 100 percent of PCC’s revenue is used for daily operations and to support education.

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