WHEREAS, the POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER is a unique treasure that traces its origins to humble community Hukilaus in the late 1940s in Laie bay, that were made famous in the Hukilau Song, as community members sought a way to share their culture and aloha and raise funds to build a local church house; and

WHEREAS, from these humble beginnings the POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER has developed into the world's most successful culturally themed attraction; and

WHEREAS, the POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER is celebrating its 40^th anniversary of operation since its formal establishment in 1963, on the Windward coast of Oahu, Hawaii by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, to serve as a living repository of the diversity and spirit of the cultures of Hawai`i and Polynesia; and

WHEREAS, the POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER has preserved, perpetuated and shared the cultures of Hawai`i and Polynesia with 30 million guests to date from all nations of the world; and

WHEREAS, the POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER has demonstrated a significant commitment to preserve and portray the cultures of Polynesia on 42 acres containing seven villages and special exhibits that showcase the people and cultures of the Islands of Hawai`i, Samoa, Aotearoa (Maori New Zealand), Fiji, the Marquesas, Tahiti, Tonga and Easter Island, the Cook Islands and Niue, contributing to the development of the student performers from Brigham Young University – Hawaii and the understanding of the diverse cultures of the Pacific by all who visit the center; and

WHEREAS, the POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER has demonstrated a significant commitment and contribution to the local, state, national, international, and global communities to which the center belongs through its long tradition of support, volunteerism and cooperation with the local community, including a unique and innovative symbiotic relationship with Brigham Young University-Hawai`i; to the State of Hawai`i as the largest employer on the Windward coast of Oahu for the last 40 years, with all generated revenues staying in the state, strengthening its economy; to the state and nation as its promotional groups have traveled back and forth across the globe promoting the state of Hawai`i, Aloha, and the cultures of the Pacific; to the national and international communities as the center has cultivated warm and friendly relationships with the nations and kingdoms of the world, especially the nations of the Pacific islands and Asia, including Japan, Korea, the Philippines and China; and

WHEREAS, the POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER has demonstrated a significant commitment and contribution to building intercultural and international bridges of understanding and developing a special relationship with People's Republic of China, including hosting dignitaries, traveling and performing throughout China more than 20 times in the last 10 years, and establishing the Asian Executive Management Training Program, which since 1985 has drawn over 100 business and government executives who have participated and completed this program, generating significant goodwill with Chinese Government and its 1.2 billion people; and

WHEREAS, the POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER has demonstrated a significant commitment and contribution to education through its long time support of Hawai`i's high school students and the Sterling Scholar Program, awarding over $100,000 dollars in scholarships each year, and for the Center's sponsorship of the State Teacher of the Year award, awarding one statewide award and seven district awards, and sponsoring many cultural and work study programs, and for its unique and significant partnership with Brigham Young University- Hawai`i contributing over $140,000,000 over the last 40 years to the University, and enabling through work scholarships over 13,000 international students from the Pacific and Asia to receive a University education at BYUH, many of whom would not been able to attend a University otherwise; and

WHEREAS, the POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER has demonstrated a significant commitment and contribution as a global ambassador of aloha, spreading Aloha and sharing the vibrant spirit of Aloha and of the cultures of Polynesia at the center and abroad, welcoming visitors from around the world, and ambassadors from the nations of the world to enjoy, and participate in the diversity and the wonder of the people, culture, food, laughter, song, dance, costume, and traditions of Polynesia; and

WHEREAS, the POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER has demonstrated a significant commitment and contribution to world peace through its mission and the vision of its founders, who prophesied at groundbreaking that the efforts of the people involved with the Center would influence millions of people who would come seeking understanding, and that the Center and the University would produce men and women whose influence will be felt for good towards the establishment of peace internationally, and

WHEREAS, the POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER is a source of great pride for the people of Hawai`i and the Pacific, for it has generated vast amounts of goodwill and understanding about the cultures and history of Polynesia among the visitors from throughout the world, making an impact through contributions to the local, state, national, international and global community to which it belongs, that go far beyond simply being Hawai`i's #1 paid visitor attraction; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2003, that this body hereby honors, commends, congratulates and extends its warmest ALOHA to all who are associated with this unique and wonderful organization that for 40 years has demonstrated and radiated a spirit of love and service that has contributed to the betterment, uplifting, education, understanding and blessing of all who visit the special place that is the POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER.

Report Title:

Polynesian Cultural Center; 40 years of continuous service