the Windward side
Polynesian Cultural Center
A large park where islands across the Pacific each show their own culture, ending with a big show.
Why go
The most thorough introduction to Polynesian cultures in one place.
The catch
Expensive and a genuine full day. The cheapest way in is the self-guided Islands of Polynesia ticket at $94.95 for adults and $75.96 for children 4 to 11, running 12:15 to 5:30pm; adding the evening show and a buffet takes it past $150, and the luau packages past $195. It is an hour from Waikiki, so do not pair it with anything else.
- How long
- Full day
- With children
- Yes
- Effort
- Easy
- Cost
- From $94.95 adult
- Parking
- Easy
Getting there
Driving times on real roads, from the same data the trip planner routes on — not straight-line distance.
| From Waikīkī | 1 hr 15 min | 34.9 miles |
|---|---|---|
| From HNL airport | 1 hr 27 min | 39.5 miles |
| From Turtle Bay | 17 min | 7.4 miles |
| From Hale‘iwa | 38 min | 17.9 miles |
Add traffic. These are free-flowing times, and the H1 through town at eight in the morning is not free-flowing.
See it on the map Build a trip around it
What else is close
Nearest by road, which is not the same as nearest on a map — and not the same as sharing a region either.
- Lāʻie Point4 min awayA narrow point of rock running out into the sea, with a sea arch off the end of it.
- Kuilima Cove17 min awayA small reef-ringed cove at the island's north tip, calm when the rest of the North Shore is not.
- Huilua Fishpond18 min awayA walled Hawaiian fishpond at the mouth of Kahana Bay.
- Kahana Valley State Park21 min awayA whole valley from ridge to reef on the windward coast, with a bay at the bottom of it.
- Banzai Pipeline23 min awayThe most famous surf break in the world, right off the sand.
- Sunset Beach23 min awayA long golden beach famous for huge winter surf.