PHOTO: Visitors gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the people and culture of Polynesia.

For more than 50 years, the Polynesian Cultural Center has been celebrating the cultures of Polynesia while providing jobs and scholarships for students attending Brigham Young University-Hawaii.

The cultural icon, representing the cultures of Hawaii, Samoa, Tahiti, Tonga, Fiji and Aotearoa (New Zealand), encompassed 16 acres when it began operating in October 1963 on the North Shore of Oahu. Now it spreads out across 42 acres.

The PCC has undergone numerous improvements throughout the years to enrich the experience of visitors and travel agents, including a $100 million makeover over the past five years. The new Hukilau Marketplace is scheduled to open in early 2015.

But throughout these changes, one thing has always remained the same. “The PCC is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the cultures of Polynesia, and sharing it with the people of the world,” said Nephi Setoki, accounts and sales manager at the Polynesian Cultural Center. “That’s as true today as it was when we first opened our doors on October 12, 1963. We want every visitor to leave us with a deeper understanding and appreciation for the people and culture of Polynesia.”

So, what can visitors expect at the PCC? For one, a fully immersive experience.

Through authentic village settings, visitors can interact with the native people of the islands of Hawaii, Samoa, Tahiti, Tonga, Fiji and Aotearoa. Guests are entertained by music, dance and other art forms, while learning about ancient traditions and customs firsthand.

ABOVE & BELOW: Guests are entertained by music and dance reflective of Polynesian culture.

For example, in the newly revitalized Samoa Village, guests learn not only how to make fire the old-fashioned way but also how to prepare traditional Samoan meals over this very fire.

The Hawaii Village, which completed a renovation in 2013, represents an ahupuaa, or a Native Hawaiian land division stretching from the mountain to the sea. The simulation includes a loi kalo, or a taro patch, which is a staple in the Hawaiian diet. Visitors can learn how to hula or play the ukulele.

At Tonga Village, four-person canoes are available to guests so they can enjoy the time-honored activity of Polynesians by paddling through the PCC’s scenic lagoon.

“The Ha: Breath of Life” evening show has become one of the most popular attractions at the PCC. Consisting of more than 100 performers, the show is an electric and exhilarating experience that captures the sights, sounds and dances of Polynesia. The show has won numerous awards throughout the years.

That’s in addition to “Hawaiian Journey,” a film that teaches guests about the deep connection Native Hawaiians have to the land and their ancestors. The film, projected on one of Hawaii’s largest movie screens, gives guests a bird’s-eye view of Hawaii’s stunning natural beauty.

If you are looking for dining, the PCC’s Gateway restaurant offers plenty. Completely renovated in 2011, Gateway is one of the largest enclosed restaurants and special events venues on Oahu. It offers two buffet spreads and features a 24,400-square-foot grand dining hall with seating for more than 1,000 people.

Guests can also learn how to throw a wooden spear, learn about Hawaiian royalty and enjoy food and live entertainment at the award-winning Ali’i Lu’au, and witness Hawaii’s only water-borne show, “Rainbows of Paradise,” in which Polynesians treat you to the dances and music of their cultures aboard double-hulled canoes.

“Visitors will not find a more authentic and complete Polynesian experience to enjoy than our island villages,” Setoki said. “The people of these villages come from the Polynesian islands they represent. They have literally brought a piece of their home and culture with them to share with guests of the PCC. Guests immerse themselves in the Polynesian way of life, as shown by native people of these island cultures.”

The Hukilau Marketplace, slated for January 2015, will be another eye-catching addition to the PCC.

“At the start of 2015, we will be completing one of the largest undertakings in the PCC’s history, with the opening of the Hukilau Marketplace,” Setoki said. “This unique shopping venue will make a trip to the North Shore even more worthwhile, with its showcase of traditional Polynesian culture and local island style eats, products, and activities, all captured in the ambiance of traditions and memories of old Laie, home to the PCC.”

The Hukilau Marketplace will include a variety of retail, dining and entertainment offerings, including Pounder’s Restaurant (an island-inspired, full-service restaurant), Polynesian Bakery (traditional Polynesian baked favorites), Roulotte Court (a Tahiti-inspired “street eats” experience complete with food trucks), a confection store, various food and retail kiosks and carts, a general store, a home store and live entertainment in front of Pounder’s Restaurant.

On top of that, the PCC will include a ukulele shop, a high-end jewelry store, specialty burger places, ice cream shops, a “lunch wagon,” a shrimp truck, as well as outfitters for sports and outdoor activities.

The 119,000-square-foot marketplace is one of the last major projects being completed as part of the $100 million revitalization.

PHOTO: A visitor learns the significance of tattoo.

So, the question is, how can agents work with the PCC?

Agents can work closely with the PCC through the site’s B2B online system. By making reservations at www.PCCagent.com, agents can earn 15 percent commission. Not only can everything be done completely online, but also PCCagent.com allows for agents to fully customize their clients’ packages, ensuring that they get everything they desire and all of their interests are accommodated.

“At PCC, we highly value the relationships that we build with travel agents, which is why we created this B2B reservation system specifically for their use,” Setoki said. “Travel agents play an integral role in helping our potential visitors see and understand all that the PCC has to offer, and making sure that the itinerary arranged for each guest aligns exactly with what they hope to experience during their visit to the PCC.”

The PCC also has a dedicated sales team that makes it a priority to service agents and their clients. The sales team has experience working with many different travelers from all over the world.

“Travel agents can tell clients with confidence that the PCC experience is offered nowhere else in the world, and the memories of spending an exciting, fun-filled day in Polynesia will always be treasured,” Setoki added.

Of course, the best thing about the PCC is that 100 percent of the nonprofit organization’s proceeds go to daily operations and supporting its student-employees from Brigham Young University-Hawaii.

Since its founding, the PCC has provided financial assistance to more than 18,000 students. It currently employs 1,150 people on the island of Oahu, including more than 750 students who come from over 70 countries and nearly every state in the U.S.

In its mission to preserve and share the Polynesian cultures, and contribute to the growth and development of students at BYU-Hawaii, the PCC has touched countless lives.

That’s probably why the organization continues not only to operate but also expand itself, aided by the help of the community and travel agents across the globe.