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The Polynesian Cultural Center, Hawaii's top paid visitor attraction since 1977, is adjacent to the Brigham Young University-Hawaii campus. From June of 2002 to December of 2003 the following year, I had the opportunity of working as a tour guide for VIP Ambassador groups who came to visit the Center. The Polynesian Cultural Center features seven Polynesian islands: Samoa, New Zealand, Fiji, Hawaii, Tahiti, the Marquesas, and Tonga. I had the privilege of walking guests, in groups of anywhere from 2- 65 people, around the 42-acre Cultural Center, to help them more fully enjoy their visit to the "islands." I would explain the unique features and cultural traditions of the Polynesian islands and create daily programs for each group so that they could make the most of their visit through the Center. Being immersed into the Polynesian culture allowed me to gain new insights and a deeper understanding of their traditions and heritage. I feel that the Polynesian culture has shaped my own culture and the way I view the world and my relationships with people. I have appreciated their sense of happiness, humility, humor, and simplicity. Being a tour guide at the Polynesian Cultural Center also gave me not only the opportunity to interact with the Pacific Islanders, but also with individuals from all corners of the world. Thousands of people from many parts of the globe visit this popular attraction daily, allowing for a massive cultural interchange to take place. I learned to work well with a variety of individuals and to solve different challenges so that all who visited the Polynesian Cultural Center would have an enlightening and enjoyable experience.
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