Who we are

To understand how the Hukilau Marketplace came to be, you need to know a little about the Polynesian Cultural Center.

 The Center was created in 1963 as a venue with three goals:

  • To support the development of the college next door, which was accredited in 1959, by funding student tuitiion
  • To give students and local residents greater opportunity to earn a living
  • To teach about cultures of the Pacific Islands and help preserve their customs and skill

From the beginning, the college and the Polynesian Cultural Center were all about the local culture. It was the people of Laʻie and those who volunteered to come here to help them who built the school in the 1950s. It was those same people who committed themselves—not only to build the Center in the 1960s, but to raise money to do so. That was where the Hukilau became a part of our history.

Before the North Shore was developed, a hukilau was just a traditional part of native life. It was a community event, as the people would throw large fishing nets out into the sea, then work together to haul the heavy catch back to shore. Afterward they would divide the fish among those who helped, and cook some of the fish to eat together in the spirit of ʻohana (everyone is family)—a lūʻau. By the 1940s, visitors who somehow wound up on the north end of the island watched this process, and even offered to pay to be allowed to help and join the feast. The full story is on the Polynesian Cultural Centerʻs Legacy site.

As the Centerʻs reputation grew, more and more people made it a destination. It became necessary to add shops and food venues to accomodate guests. By the early 2000s, the Center needed to do some major expansion to meet the need. And thatʻs when the Hukilau Marketplace came into being.

The Marketplace opened in 2015, sporting a wide array of food, clothing, jewelry, artwork, and just about anything else a visitor might want to try or take home. Each shop and cart is designed to echo the heritage of Old Laʻie. Some of the destinations have changed over time, but the feeling is the same: the amenities of modern times, presented in old-world style and comfort.

Couple at Nona’s Threads
Tourists at Nona's Thread
Couple at Hukilau Marketplace

As the Centerʻs reputation grew, more and more people made it a destination. It became necessary to add We hope that when you visit you will feel that you are part of the ʻohana (family), and that you will enjoy this step back to our beginnings.

Aloha!

OLD LAIE. NEW EVENTS

Old Laie, Hawaii, holds a rich cultural tapestry woven with tradition and history. Nestled on the island of Oahu, this storied town encapsulates the spirit of aloha and the essence of Hawaiian heritage.

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