Polynesian Cultural Center

Organization Overview

Polynesian Cultural Center is located in Laie, HI. The organization was established in 1941. According to its NTEE Classification (A23) the organization is classified as: Cultural & Ethnic Awareness, under the broad grouping of Arts, Culture & Humanities and related organizations. As of 12/2023, Polynesian Cultural Center employed 673 individuals. This organization is a subordinate organization within an affiliated group for tax-exemption purposes. Polynesian Cultural Center is a 501(c)(3) and as such, is described as a "Charitable or Religous organization or a private foundation" by the IRS.

For the year ending 12/2021, Polynesian Cultural Center generated $62.6m in total revenue. This represents relatively stable growth, over the past 6 years the organization has increased revenue by an average of 3.5% each year. All expenses for the organization totaled $41.7m during the year ending 12/2021. You can explore the organizations financials more deeply in the financial statements section below.

Mission & Program ActivityExcerpts From the 990T Filing

TAX YEAR

2021

Describe the Organization's Mission:

Part 3 - Line 1

EDUCATION & CULTURAL MUSEUM

Describe the Organization's Program Activity:

THE POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER (THE CENTER) AND ITS NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR, BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY HAWAII(BYUH), WERE BOTH ESTABLISHED BY AND ARE WHOLLY CONTROLLED BY THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS (THE CHURCH). THE POLYNESIAN PEOPLE HAVE SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE IN THE CHURCH DOCTRINE, AND THE CHURCH HAS BEEN ACTIVE IN THE POLYNESIAN ISLANDS SINCE VERY SOON AFTER ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN THE UNITED STATES IN THE 1830S. IT CONDUCTS MANY ACTIVITIES IN POLYNESIA INTENDED TO IMPROVE, BOTH SPIRITUALLY AND ECONOMICALLY, THE LIVES OF ITS MEMBERS THERE, MOST OF WHOM LIVE IN WHAT ARE COMMONLY TERMED "DISADVANTAGED" COMMUNITIES AND "UNDERDEVELOPED" NATIONS.(CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE 0)ONE OF THE MAIN THRUSTS OF THE CHURCH IN POLYNESIA IS TO EDUCATE ITS MEMBERS TO ENABLE THEM AND THEIR COMMUNITIES TO ADAPT TO AND BE SELF-SUFFICIENT IN THE ENCROACHING MODERN WORLD AND YET NOT TO ABANDON OR LOSE RESPECT FOR THEIR NATIVE CULTURES OR THEMSELVES. IN FURTHERANCE OF THIS OBJECTIVE, THE CHURCH HAS ESTABLISHED BYUH (INITIALLY KNOWN AS CHURCH COLLEGE OF HAWAII) AND THE CENTER. BYUH WAS OPENED IN 1955. ITS PRIMARY PURPOSE IS TO PROVIDE A COLLEGE EDUCATION FOR POLYNESIAN STUDENTS WHO WOULD NOT OTHERWISE HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY. BYUH AND THE CHURCH ACTIVELY RECRUIT POLYNESIAN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH COLLEGE POTENTIAL TO ATTEND BYUH, OBTAIN AN EDUCATION AND THEN RETURN TO THEIR HOME NATIONS AND COMMUNITIES AND HELP IMPROVE THEM, ECONOMICALLY AND OTHERWISE. THE CHURCH SUBSTANTIALLY SUBSIDIZES BYUH, WHICH CHARGES TUITION FAR BELOW THAT CHARGED BY MOST PRIVATE COLLEGES. NEVERTHELESS, MOST OF THE STUDENTS HAVE NO MONEY TO PAY LIVING EXPENSES, TRANSPORTATION OR TUITION, HOWEVER LOW. MOST OF THE STUDENTS LACK JOB EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS AND DO NOT SPEAK ENGLISH FLUENTLY WHEN THEY FIRST ENROLL.THE CENTER WAS OPENED IN 1963 AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE OVERALL CHURCH PROGRAM IN POLYNESIA AND SPECIFICALLY AS AN ADJUNCT TO BYUH. THE CENTER OPERATES AN AUTHENTIC LIVING MUSEUM OF THE NATIVE CULTURES OF SIX MAJOR POLYNESIAN ISLANDS SAMOA, FIJI, NEW ZEALAND (AOTEAROA), TAHITI, TONGA AND HAWAII. IT PROVIDES CONTINUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR HUNDREDS OF BYUH STUDENTS FROM THESE ISLANDS TO WORK IN ALL ASPECTS OF THE CENTER'S OPERATIONS. THIS IS INTENDED TO, AND DOES, ACCOMPLISH THE FOLLOWING WITH RESPECT TO SUCH STUDENTS: TEACHING THEM THE TRADITIONS OF THEIR NATIVE CULTURES WHICH ARE THREATENED BY MODERNIZATION. INSTILLING IN THEM PRIDE AND RESPECT FOR THEIR OWN CULTURES (AND THEMSELVES) AND RESPECT FOR OTHER CULTURES. GIVING THEM A FIRST JOB EXPERIENCE AND ON-THE-JOB TRAINING. GIVING THEM AN EXPERIENCE IN SUSTAINING THEMSELVES IN THE MODERN WESTERN WORLD. ENABLING THEM TO WORK THEIR WAY THROUGH COLLEGE.IN ADDITION, THE BROADER CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL FUNCTIONS PERFORMED BY THE CENTER INCLUDE THE PRESERVATION AND EXHIBITION TO THE VISITING PUBLIC OF IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF EACH OF THE POLYNESIAN CULTURES REPRESENTED, INCLUDING: AUTHENTIC REPLICAS OF REPRESENTATIVE VILLAGE STRUCTURES IN TYPICAL SETTINGS, DAILY LIVING ACTIVITIES SUCH AS COOKING, AGRICULTURE, ARTIFACTS, ARTS AND CRAFTS (BOTH THE OBJECTS THEMSELVES AND THE SKILLS), COSTUMES, TRADITIONS, AND SONGS AND DANCES (WHICH HAVE A FAR MORE SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN POLYNESIAN CULTURES THAN IN MOST WESTERN CULTURES).THE CENTER ALSO CONDUCTS, DIRECTLY AND INDIRECTLY, SCHOLARLY RESEARCH NECESSARY TO ASSURE THE AUTHENTICITY OF THE CENTERS ACTIVITIES AND TO FOSTER THE PRESERVATION AND APPRECIATION OF POLYNESIAN CULTURES. THE REVENUES LISTED IN PART VIII ARE GENERATED PRIMARILY BY ADMISSIONS PAID BY VISITORS TO THE VILLAGE COMPLEX. IN ADDITION, SINCE MANY VISITORS SPEND MOST OF THE DAY AND EVENING AT THE CENTER AND THE LOCATION OF THE CENTER IS SOMEWHAT REMOTE, CAFETERIA-STYLE DINING FACILITIES AND SNACK BARS ARE PROVIDED FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF THE CENTER'S VISITORS. APPROXIMATELY 493,730 GUESTS VISITED THE CENTER IN 2022.


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Board, Officers & Key Employees

Name (title)Compensation
P Alfred Grace
President
$368,740
Don Blohm
Director
$0
Fraser Bullock
Chairman, Director
$0
Eric Workman
Executive Vice-President
$228,736
Jarod Hester
Chief Operating And Finance
$277,173
Taito Vuniwai
Vice-President Of Human Resources
$181,408

Outside Vendors & Contractors

Vendor Name (Service)Compensation
Brigham Young University - Hawaii
Security And First Aid
$682,888
Kona Winds Electric
Electrical
$421,402
Shirma's Welding Co Inc
Welding
$167,900
Fls Composites Llc
Canoe Construction
$102,984
View All Vendors

Financial Statements

Statement of Revenue
Federated campaigns$0
Membership dues$0
Fundraising events$0
Related organizations$0
Government grants $10,000,000
All other contributions, gifts, grants, and similar amounts not included above$19,268,071
Noncash contributions included in lines 1a–1f $0
Total Revenue from Contributions, Gifts, Grants & Similar$29,268,071
Total Program Service Revenue$22,429,046
Investment income $188,350
Tax Exempt Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Net Rental Income $1,130,899
Net Gain/Loss on Asset Sales $21,753
Net Income from Fundraising Events $0
Net Income from Gaming Activities $0
Net Income from Sales of Inventory $8,491,387
Miscellaneous Revenue$0
Total Revenue $62,645,558

Peer Organizations

Organization NameAssets
Polynesian Cultural Center
Laie, HI
$62,645,558
Skirball Cultural Center
Los Angeles, CA
$22,065,189
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Santa Barbara, CA
$15,341,054
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The Epoch Times Media Group Los Angeles
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$9,517,459
Kanu O Ka Aina Learning Ohana
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$8,382,056
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Mcsweeneys Literary Arts Fund
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