Alii Luau at Polynesian Cultural Center - Guided Tour, Hawaiian Buffet & HĀ: Breath of Life Show

Embark on an unforgettable journey through the islands of Polynesia at Oahu’s Polynesian Cultural Center. Explore six authentic villages representing Hawaii, Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, Tahiti, and Aotearoa on a guided tour filled with live demonstrations, dance, and storytelling. Learn island traditions from local cultural ambassadors as you paddle canoes, play ancient games, and watch artisans at work. In the evening, enjoy the award-winning Aliʻi Lūʻau buffet dinner with Hawaiian music, hula, and a royal celebration honoring Queen Liliʻuokalani. End your day with premium center gold seating for the spectacular HĀ: Breath of Life show, a breathtaking performance of song, dance, and fire that tells the universal story of family, love, and triumph across the Pacific.

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Why do travelers choose this tour?

Aliʻi Lūʻau at Polynesian Cultural Center: Celebrate Hawaiian culture with an award-winning buffet dinner, live Hawaiian music and hula, a flower lei greeting, and the royal court procession presented in a lush open-air setting.

Guided Villages Tour Included: Join a group guided tour through six authentic island villages representing Hawaii, Samoa, Fiji, Tahiti, Tonga, and Aotearoa to learn traditions through hands-on activities and live demonstrations.

Gold Seating for HĀ: Breath of Life: Enjoy premium gold-level seats for the evening production featuring over 100 performers, powerful music and dance, and unforgettable fire performances on a grand open-air stage.

Full-Day Cultural Experience: Make the most of your afternoon exploring village presentations, the lagoon-side canoe pageant, and interactive exhibits before your Aliʻi Lūʻau dinner and evening show.

How does it work?

The Polynesian Cultural Center invites guests to explore the living traditions of Polynesia through six island villages, an authentic Hawaiian Aliʻi Lūʻau buffet dinner, and the award-winning HĀ: Breath of Life evening show. With so much to see and do, it’s best to plan ahead and arrive early to make the most of your visit.

Operating hours are Monday through Saturday, with gates opening at 12:30PM. Your Aliʻi Lūʻau Package includes a guided tour through the island villages, dinner at the Aliʻi Lūʻau, and gold seating for the evening show.

Guided Village Tour (12:00PM - 5:30PM)

Join a guided group tour through six Polynesian villages representing Hawaii, Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, Tahiti, and Aotearoa (New Zealand). Cultural practitioners share authentic music, dance, crafts, and stories that bring each island’s heritage to life. Enjoy interactive activities such as fire making, coconut husking, canoe paddling, and traditional games. Don’t miss "Huki: A Canoe Experience," a daytime pageant performed on double-hulled canoes along the lagoon, as well as the Hawaiian Journey 4D theater experience that showcases the islands’ beauty and spirit.

Aliʻi Lūʻau Buffet Dinner (5:00PM - 6:30PM)

Your evening begins with a warm aloha and fresh flower lei greeting at the Aliʻi Lūʻau. Feast on traditional island dishes during a buffet dinner accompanied by live Hawaiian music and graceful hula performances. The show celebrates Queen Liliʻuokalani’s inspiring story and musical legacy, blending Hawaiian history with heartfelt performances in a stunning tropical setting.

HĀ: Breath of Life Show (7:30PM - 8:45PM)

End your day with the Polynesian Cultural Center’s world-famous production, "HĀ: Breath of Life". Featuring over 100 performers from across the Pacific, this award-winning performance combines song, dance, fire, and special effects to tell a moving story of love, family, and courage. Gold-level seating is included with your Aliʻi Lūʻau Package, ensuring the best views of the spectacular open-air stage.

Hukilau Marketplace

If you are driving to Lā‘ie, plan to arrive a bit early to explore the Hukilau Marketplace, located right at the entrance of the Polynesian Cultural Center. Open from 11:00AM, it’s a great place to enjoy lunch, grab a smoothie, or browse local shops before your guided tour begins.

Local expert tips

• Say “Hi,” and talk to a cultural practitioner in the village! They welcome your questions and the opportunity to tell the stories of their beloved ancestral home
• This activity books up quickly, and we highly suggest booking 2 to 4 weeks in advance, especially during busy seasons like summer and spring break.
• Plan to arrive a little before the gates open, and walk around Hukilau Marketplace, the best option to grab lunch before your day begins. The Hukilau Marketplace is located at the entrance of the Polynesian Cultural Center, and is open to the public from 11:00AM to 9:30PM.
• Recommend attire: All attractions are outdoors with limited shade. Wear comfortable clothes and footwear. We also recommend bringing a light rain jacket, water and sunscreen.

Other attractions and things to do at the Polynesian Cultural Center

• Check out the Hukilau Marketplace, a great place to eat and shop, and has many food vendors, including coffee, shave ice, ice cream, smoothies, crepes, Thai food and more! Get some shopping down at their art galleries and a wide variety of souvenir shops.
• Take a picture in front of the statue of Hamana Kalili of Laie, famous for creating the popular and iconic Hawaiian shaka greeting. Take a picture with him, and learn the story of how the unique shaka greeting came to be.
• Walk through the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame which honors Polynesia’s greatest players, coaches and contributors.
• Jump on to the Laie Tram Ride Tour, a 35-minute open-air tram ride tour around Laie and the BYU campus. Departs every 20 minutes from 3:00PM to 6:40PM.
• Watch the movie "Hawaiian Journey" for a fascinating look at how Polynesians made their way to the islands of Hawaii and beyond. Shown in a beautifully renovated theater that depicts a dormant volcano on the outside, this 12-minute film is one that should not be missed.
• Explore the Ukulele Experience Gallery, and see the tools and machinery used to help make the instruments. You can even take a free ukulele lesson, and it is open until 7:30PM.
• Glide through the center on a guided canoe ride that boards right outside the villages and travels throughout the resort lagoon. Departs regularly from 12:45PM to 5:30PM. (Available with Islands of Polynesia General Admission packages only)
• See the Iosepa canoe, and learn about the migration of early Polynesia while looking at a fully functioning double-hulled canoe.

How to get there?

Located on Oahu’s northeast corner of the island, in a small town called Laie in the North Shore, the Polynesian Cultural Center is approximately a 60 to 75 minutes drive from Waikiki and Ko Olina hotels. Parking is complimentary and readily available as well.

If you are staying in the Waikiki area, round-trip transportation is available for an additional fee, with pick-up starting at approximately 10:00AM.

Polynesian Cultural Center Wheelchair Accessibility Information

• All areas at the Polynesian Cultural Center are both wheelchair and scooter accessible with the exception of the canoe rides.
• Guests wanting to do the canoe ride will need to be able to stand and go into the canoe without assistance, and non-motorized wheelchairs can be folded and brought on board.
• Wheelchairs and scooters can be rented, and should only be used for guests that are able to walk short distances since the equipment will need to be returned prior to attending the evening show.
• If you would like to rent a wheelchair or scooter, you will need to book through ScooterVille at least 24 hours prior to your activity date. Wheelchair and scooter rentals will not be available for same-day rental without a reservation.
• Guests utilizing wheelchairs or scooters should get to each village presentation at least 15 minutes prior to the start time to ensure adequate time for seating. Some village presentation areas will require your mobility device to go over some grass or gravel.
• Solo travelers are welcome to ask for assistance at anytime, but wheelchair pushing services will not be provided.
• In the event that you are seated in an area that is not comfortable for you, please do not hesitate to bring up your concerns with staff members.