Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 31, Number 1, 1 January 2014 — Polynesion Cultural Center award [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Polynesion Cultural Center award

The Polynesian Cultural Center has joined an elite club of 13 attractions worldwide that have earned a Thea Award, considered the entertainment and attraction industry's highest honor. PCC won the award for outstanding achievement for its new

Hawaiian Journey cinematic presentation and redesigned Gateway Restaurant. Hawaiian Journey, shown on a 40-by-74-foot-long projection screen - described as the largest in Hawai'i - is an original production telling the story of Native Hawaiians and their eonneehon to the land through imagery and interactive special effects. The two projects are part of $100 million in experiential and facility improvements PCC aims to eomplete by the end of the year. PCC celebrated 50 years in 2013. An awards gala will be held at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim in April.

The redesigned Gateway Restaurantfeatures an 8,000-square-foot mural portraying a Hawaiian king welcoming his Polynesian brothers and sisters to join in the feast and fellowship. - Courtesy: Polynesian Cultural Center