Hardly anyone knows this, but the most visited, paid tourist attraction in Hawaii isn’t a beach or resort, and it doesn’t make a profit.
It’s run by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sometimes known as the Mormon church.
The Polynesian Cultural Center is more than just an educational theme park—it’s an immersive living museum where international students from all over the Pacific share the music, history, and culture of the Polynesian islands.
Unlike most tourist destinations, its goal isn’t to turn a profit, but to fund a debt-free education for the students of one of the most diverse universities in the United States, Brigham Young University—Hawaii.
70% of the student body at BYU—Hawaii are international students from over 65 different countries.
So here's the deal. If they agree to work 19 hours a week on campus, such as at the Polynesian Cultural Center, the proceeds of the center and the Church cover the rest of the cost of their expensive education so they can return home to advance their careers and strengthen their local communities.
See the impact for yourself on the About page of the BYU—Hawaii website.
And if YOU have been to the PCC, let me know in the comments what your experience was like.
@polynesia @byuhawaii
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