My most recent trip to Hawai’i was with my family to attend my dear cousin Val’s gorgeous wedding at Kualoa Ranch. Traveling with family can be pretty hectic but the chance to bond is absolutely worth everything to me, especially since life is short and we are not getting any younger! For this trip, we decided to visit the Polynesian Cultural Center.
Let me start of by telling you there is a reason why the Polynesian Cultural Center has won as many awards as it has including: Honolulu’s Top Attraction, Most Popular Kalihi Award + Most Authentic Luau, USA Today’s Best Family Attractions, and TripAdvisor’s Top 10 US Experiences to name some.
Here’s a little Instagram reel I put tother documenting the day to give you a little glimpse:
Since we were traveling with 2 senior citizens, we were a tad limited in movement. Thankfully they do also offer wheelchair rentals! We opted for the Gateway Buffet package that includes a self guided village tour, the buffet, and evening show. Here is our personal experience summarized:
- The 6 island villages of Polynesia (Tonga, Tahiti, Samoa, Aotearoa, Hawaii, and Fiji)
- Pretty straightforward walkthrough of the villages. I really enjoyed exploring and learning about the cultures! They have timed performances per village and offer interactive activities.
- Honestly think we could of showed up a little later since it was pretty tiring going through everything, but definitely maximize your time if you have children with you
- Gateway Buffet
- AMAZING. BEAUTIFUL. ALL YOU CAN EAT. My heart was happy. My soul was happy. Everyone was happy.
- The live band gave a wonderful attempt at our song request for our parent’s 33rd anniversary. In their defense, it was a Celine Dion song so A+ for their efforts
- They also provide allergen information for all dishes, including which food has egg or are egg-free which I really appreciated!!
- Hā: Breath of Life evening show
- Honestly the most amazing thing I have ever witnessed in my life, genuinely like nothing I have ever seen before. It was the most captivating display of culture, family, and tradition. It is so incredibly well written and choreographed, you can see just how much heart and soul each performer put into it.
Here’s a summary of the packages they have available:
| Package | Time Open | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Super Ambassador Lūʻau package | 12:30 pm – 9:00 pm | – Private guided tour through 6 island villages – Enjoy our award winning Aliʻi Lūʻau buffet with live entertainment – Platinum level seating at “HĀ: Breath of Life” show | Adult $269.95 Child (4-11) $215.96 |
| Aliʻi Lūʻau package | 12:30 pm – 9:00 pm | – Group guided tour through 6 authentic island villages – Enjoy our award winning Aliʻi Lūʻau buffet with live entertainment – Gold level seating at “HĀ: Breath of Life” show | Adult $189.95 Child (4-11) $151.96 |
| Gateway Buffet package (my family did this one) | 12:30 pm – 9:00 pm | – Self-guided experience through 6 island villages – Gateway Buffet dinner with live music – Silver level seating at “HĀ: Breath of Life” evening show | Adult $139.95 Child (4-11) $111.96 |
| Islands of Polynesia & Hā: Breath of Life package | 12:30 pm – 9:00 pm | – Self-guided experience through 6 island villages – Bronze level seating at “HĀ: Breath of Life” evening show – Dinner NOT included | Adult 119.95 Child (4-11) $95.96 |
| Islands of Polynesia | 12:30 pm – 5:30 pm | – Self-guided experience through 6 island villages – Visit the islands at your own pace and in your own way – Interact with our island villagers on a personal setting | Adult $79.95 Child (4-11) $63.96 |
Tip: save 10% on some packages when you book 10 days in advance, and don’t forget about the senior citizens discount if you can utilize that!
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