USA Today names Polynesian Cultural Center 'Best attraction in Hawaii' ^Featured

 A survey called 10Best Readers' Choice Poll asked USA Today readers to rank their favorite top 20 attractions in Hawaii and the Polynesian Cultural Center was voted No. 1; Pearl Harbor Historic Sites was second; with Hawaii's Tropical Botanical Garden finished third, according to a press release.

The Polynesian Cultural Center, with its all-you-can-eat luaus, fire knife dancing and celebration of Pacific Island culture, was grateful for the award.

"We are pleased that USA Today readers have recognized the quality experience we strive to provide at the Polynesian Cultural Center. We want to inspire our visitors to share the special connection we have to Polynesia so we utilize our guests feedback to help shape the most exceptional and memorable island experience imaginable,” P. Alfred Grace, CEO of the Polynesian Cultural Center said in a statement. "The cultures and history of these great peoples can be felt in each island experience and we look forward to fulfilling our ongoing mission of preserving and perpetuating Polynesia’s many unique cultures and traditions."

The PCC, located on Oahu's North Shore, was founded in 1963 by the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The center recently upgraded some of its facilities. It mostly employs students from nearby Brigham Young University-Hawaii, especially if they represent one of six islands, including Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, Tahiti, Hawaii or Aotearoa (New Zealand). The center has hosted more than 39 million visitors over 50 years, according to the release.

The center, which promotes a feeling of family and the Polynesian heritage, was featured by the Deseret News in May 2016.

"Over our 54-year history, our goal has always been to entertain our guests through the accurate portrayal of Polynesian culture and its people in our high-quality theater performances,” said Eric Workman, vice president and chief marketing officer at the PCC. "Additionally, many visitors have expressed appreciation of the fact that many of our workers and performers are getting a university education paid for by the work they do here at the Polynesian Cultural Center."

-Deseret News