PCC’s ‘Iosepa Gets $2.65-Million Home

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Polynesian Cultural Center will open a new Halau O’Iosepa to house its 57-foot double-hulled canoe ‘Iosepa at the end of June and plans to celebrate with a Family Day June 28.

Events and admission are free after 3 p.m.

to kamaaina with a photo ID. In addition, all retailers within the center are offering a 15 percent discount on all merchandise.

The $2.65-million halau project began last November as a means to store the large, wooden, hand-carved, double-hulled canoe, which has been fully operational since 2001. The halau also will bring related activities to the center such as knot-tying, navigation and voyage preparation.

A formal private blessing will be held on June 25 for Halau O’Iosepa.

“We are excited to share the ‘Iosepa and the Polynesian voyaging story with the rest of the world,” said PCC president Von Orgill. “When it’s not out on sail, the ‘Iosepa will be housed in the halau wa’a, where it will be shared, allowing guests to view and appreciate its function and beauty.” There also will be displays, exhibits and a presentation about the Polynesian migration story to the Hawaiian Islands.

The canoe was designed to be a sailing classroom for BYU-Hawaii’s Hawaiian Studies program.“Unlike most other contemporary canoes, which are built out of fiberglass with modern technology, the ‘Iosepa is hand-carved out of dakua wood transported from Fiji,” explained Orgill. “‘Iosepa’s spirit is very strong. It not only connects BYU-Hawaii with PCC, but also unites the entire Hawaiian community and residents of Laie.”

For more information, call 293-3333 or visit www.polynesia.com.