Unpacking the Controversies Surrounding the Polynesian Cultural Center: Insights and Perspectives
The Polynesian Cultural Center, located in Laie, Hawaii, is a popular tourist attraction that has been a topic of debate and controversy in recent years. On the one hand, it is promoted as a celebration of Polynesian culture, offering visitors a chance to experience the music, dance, and customs of the South Pacific. On the other hand, it has been criticized for exploiting and misrepresenting Polynesian cultures, perpetuating stereotypes and cultural appropriation, and reinforcing settler-colonial narratives. In this article, we will delve deeper into these controversies and offer some insights and perspectives on this complex issue.
What is the Polynesian Cultural Center?
The Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) was established in 1963 as a non-profit organization by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) to promote and showcase Polynesian cultures, heritage, and traditions. It covers an area of 42 acres and includes seven Polynesian villages representing the cultures of Hawaii, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Tahiti, Aotearoa (New Zealand), and the Marquesas Islands. The PCC claims to be the most authentic and comprehensive cultural center in the world, featuring more than 1000 performers and staff, many of whom come from Polynesian countries. It attracts over one million visitors per year, making it the most visited paid attraction in Hawaii.
Controversies and Criticisms
Despite its popularity, the PCC has faced criticism and controversies over its portrayal and representation of Polynesian cultures. Some of the main criticisms include:
– Commercialization and profit-driven agenda: The PCC is a business that generates millions of dollars in revenue, and some critics argue that it prioritizes profit over cultural authenticity and accuracy. The PCC charges high admission fees and offers various packages and upgrades that can be expensive for many visitors, raising questions about access and inclusivity.
– Stereotyping and exoticizing: Some critics argue that the PCC perpetuates stereotypical and exoticized images of Polynesian cultures, presenting them as primitive, exotic, and isolated from modernity. They criticize the use of hula girls, fire dancers, and other tropes that reduce Polynesian cultures to their entertainment value, ignoring their complexity, diversity, and history.
– Cultural appropriation and misrepresentation: Some critics accuse the PCC of appropriating and misrepresenting Polynesian cultures, cherry-picking elements that fit their narrative and ignoring others that are deemed less marketable or profitable. They point out that many of the staff and performers are not native to the cultures they represent and may not have a deep understanding or respect for them. They also criticize the PCC for distorting or omitting important aspects of Polynesian history, such as colonization, resistance, and sovereignty.
– Religious agenda and proselytizing: Some critics argue that the PCC serves as a vehicle for the LDS Church to recruit and convert visitors to its faith, using cultural performances and displays as a bait. They point out that the PCC promotes a sanitized and selective version of Polynesian cultures that fits the LDS Church’s worldview and values, erasing other perspectives and voices that may challenge it.
Perspectives and Responses
The controversies surrounding the PCC are complex and nuanced, and there are different perspectives and responses to them. Some of the main perspectives and responses are:
– Cultural preservation and empowerment: Some proponents of the PCC argue that it is an important venue for preserving and promoting Polynesian cultures, providing employment opportunities, cultural exchange, and education to Polynesians and non-Polynesians alike. They argue that the PCC’s commercial success enables it to reinvest in the communities it represents and supports, promoting economic and social development.
– Authenticity and agency: Some advocates for Polynesian cultures argue that the PCC should prioritize authenticity and accuracy in its representation and portrayal of them, ensuring that the voices and perspectives of Polynesian peoples are heard and respected. They call for more transparency and accountability from the PCC, allowing for more input and feedback from Polynesian scholars, artists, and activists.
– Decolonization and sovereignty: Some critics of the PCC argue that it should be seen in the context of colonialism and settler-colonial narratives, and that it perpetuates and reinforces them. They call for a decolonization of the PCC, including a re-evaluation of its ownership, management, and governance structures, as well as a recognition of the sovereignty and self-determination of Polynesian peoples. They also advocate for a more critical and comparative approach to Polynesian history and cultures, acknowledging their interconnectivity, complexity, and diversity.
– Dialogue and engagement: Some proponents of the PCC argue that it can serve as a space for dialogue and engagement between different cultures and communities, promoting understanding, respect, and tolerance. They call for more intercultural exchange and collaboration, as well as more critical and reflective engagement with the controversies and criticisms of the PCC.
Conclusion
The Polynesian Cultural Center is a complex and controversial issue that raises important questions and challenges regarding cultural representation, authenticity, commercialization, and colonialism. While there are different perspectives and responses to these controversies, it is crucial to continue the dialogue and engagement with them, allowing for more input and feedback from Polynesian peoples and other stakeholders. Ultimately, the PCC’s role and impact on Polynesian cultures and communities should be evaluated critically and constructively, acknowledging the diversity, resilience, and agency of Polynesian peoples.
