What It Is
The Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) is a nonprofit institution founded by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints adjacent to and in support of Brigham Young University Hawaii. The PCC is Hawaii’s number-one paid tourist attraction and has been since 1977. The center exists to preserve the cultures of Polynesia while contributing to the educational opportunities of BYU–Hawaii students. The PCC employs approximately 700 BYU–Hawaii students each semester. PCC work-study internships and scholarships provide spiritually worthy, academically capable, but financially disadvantaged young people with educational opportunity.

Why It Is a Priority
If BYU–Hawaii and PCC are to fulfill their joint mission of educating young people from Asia and the Pacific, funds need to be in place enabling the education of these deserving young people. While the costs of education and living expenses for a student at BYU–Hawaii are approximately $12,500 per year (not including the substantial percentage of the total costs which are provided by the Church), per capita income in the underdeveloped countries of Asia and the Pacific is less than $9,000 per year—in some cases much less. Clearly, without donated funds, a BYU–Hawaii education is out of reach for many of the students the school is charged with reaching.

What It Does and How It Helps
When students apply for assistance through a PCC work-study internship or scholarship, they commit to contribute a portion of the cost, work at the PCC, keep grades up, live by the university’s honor code, and return home after studies are completed.

For students who receive work-study assistance, the differences between the total cost and the students’ contributions, together with their PCC earnings, are made up by the PCC. In many cases PCC’s total commitment to the university amounts to more than $10,000 per year per student. In good economic times when tourism flourishes, much of this funding can be generated with ticket sales; in economic downturns this is not the case. An endowment and immediate funding are needed to ensure support for deserving students in good and bad times. Contributions in support of the PCC work-study internships and scholarships program will be used to provide educational opportunity for students from Asia and the Pacific who otherwise would not be able to attend BYU–Hawaii.