On Valentine’s Day, the Polynesian Cultural Center hosted an elaborate romantic dinner adding to the special events planned this year to celebrate the center’s 50th anniversary.Students, staff, and members of the community enjoyed a luxurious buffet of steak, garlic shrimp, kalua pork, and a chocolate fountain created by the new PCC executive chef, Hector Morales, under the canopy of the Gateway restaurant. There was also the option of going on a romantic lighted canoe ride through the various villages while waiting for the concert performance. PCC President Von Orgill was ecstatic about the turnout of the event. “We sold out our maximum capacity of 900 tickets this morning and even had to turn away quite a bit of people,” he said. “But overall the evening has been absolutely wonderful.”When asked about his thoughts on how this concert is different from others, Orgill had nothing but praises. “This celebration has really taken things to a new level with the romantic music and canoe rides. Though I may also be a bit biased in that regard,” he added.Mina Park, a freshman in business management from Korea, decided to come with her friends as part of a birthday celebration. “This is my third time being at the PCC. But this time was especially amazing,” she said. “I love the chocolate fountain in particular. It really completes the evening.”Park was also one of the attendees who were able to take the romantic canoe rides offered between 6-8 p.m. The canoe ride consisted of leisurely 15-minute stroll through the various Polynesian villages, complete with romantic music, swans, paper mache butterflies, and accompanying water lights. The canoe pushers dressed up in simple black pants and a white button-up shirts, trying to transport guests from a more Polynesian experience to one like that of being on a gondola ride in Venice.At 8 p.m. the buffet and canoe rides came to a close as the “Touch of Gold” Motown tribute group came on stage. Within 15 minutes of the group taking center stage, harmonizing to classic love power ballads from artists such as The Temptations, The Supremes, and Marvin Gaye, the dance floor was packed with enthusiastic couples.Sugar Tupola, a BYU-Hawaii graduate in social work now working at the PCC, came to see her friend Cameron, one of the members of the performing group “Touch of Gold,” and get up and sing. “The group sings so well together. They are a perfect fit for tonight,” she shared. “Coming to these PCC events are always worth the money for the incredible memories you take away.”Dr. Brian Houghton, a professor in Political Science, was also in attendance with his wife for the evening’s festivities. “Although I personally believe Valentine's Day has become overly commercial with too much pressure placed buying cards, flowers, and candy, I was glad I didn't have to drive all the way into town to have a wonderful meal and enjoyable experience with my wife at the PCC,” he said.
Writer: Sydney Odell~Multimedia Journalist
