AUGUST 2013

President’s Message: Merry Christmas, Happy New Year

First, I want to wish each of our PCC ohana members and special friends a warm Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

We’re also delighted we can share the joyous messages of Christmas with our guests at this time of the year by acknowledging the birth of the Savior through our annual Christmas Lagoon production. It’s absolutely delightful, and the best one we’ve done yet.

Mahalo nui to all of you and the community volunteers who help us Carvers, community members, senior missionaries and PCC island leaders join with the Maori Village on November 30, 2013, to commemorate the new carvings and reopening of the marae. — PCC photos by Mike Foley make Christmas Lagoon a memo- rable experience for the whole fam- Maori Village reopens in pre-sunrise ceremony ily. Activities like this remind us Before sunrise, in accordance with Maori three houses for use by everyone in a stately that it’s really a wonderful blessing custom, carvers, service missionaries, island procession. to come to work, knowing people representatives, other Maoris from the com- with the same important values munity and special guests waited at the Maori Speeches and songs in Maori followed, surround us. Village gate on November 30 for a special Fitzgerald orating on behalf of the PCC and Foremost among the former, kawanga (house-opening) ceremony to mark Continued on page 2 of course, has been our 50th the reopening of the PCC’s Islands of Aote- Anniversary celebration: Our aroa marae following extensive renovations PCC earns worldwide Golden Jubilee turned out and replacing some of the original carvings. ‘Thea’ Award for excellence to be a wonderful year filled More than 150 people participated in the with fantastic events and ceremony that included Seamus Fitzgerald, The Themed Entertainment Association capped by our reunion cel- PCC Director of Cultural Islands and Maori has awarded its 2014 Thea Award for Out- ebration. Mahalo nui to all Village manager, and his team inviting the standing Achievement to the Polynesian of you who participated guests onto the with chants, followed Cultural Center’s recent revitalization. The and helped make this an marae by the entire group symbolically clearing the annual award, one of only 13 in the world, will unforgettable occasion. be presented during a special awards gala at Disneyland in California on April 5. We also made In this Issue significant progress The Thea Award, considered the entertain- Construction project updates...... 3 on improving our ment and attraction industry’s highest honor, facilities with the Reorganizational changes ...... 4 recognizes excellence in creating outstanding opening of the new Spirit of Aloha award goes to...... 6 guest experiences, as recently demonstrated by

Continued on page 5 50th Anniversary DVDs on sale...... 8 Continued on page 2

DECEMBER 2013 Following that, each of the island repre- installed the original carvings. Maori Village reopens sentatives presented Walker with a cultural gift. In his remarks, PCC President and CEO In addition to Walker’s own Havelock Continued from page 1 North crew, PCC carver Doug Christy — Maori master carver Takaputai “Taka” Mete Alfred Grace, a New Zealand Maori, said the whose father, the late Epanaia “Uncle Barney” Walker, QSM, 79, of Havelock North, New Center is “very grateful to Uncle Taka” for Christy, was also one of the original carvers Zealand, responding. helping embody Elder Matthew Cowley’s vi- sion of a carved house in Laie. — went to New Zealand twice to participate in the project. “It was a fabulous experience,” “We’re also grateful for those who have Christy said. “It brought back lots of memo- gone on before us, and we’re grateful for a new ries and a little bit of a tear to the eye.” day here,” he continued, praising former PCC President Von D. Orgill, “who recognized the Walker explained the new carvings are pat- importance of making sure that we remain terned after those designed by original master true to who we are” in regards to the renewal carver, Hone (John) Taiapa, but include more of the Maori Village. detail. “There just wasn’t time in the schedule before the Center originally opened to include “As requested by Seamus, we agreed to do all of them,” he said. He also noted there this properly and have Uncle Taka come back,” wasn’t enough time in 1963 to hold a kawanga Grace said. “The first time around we were a ceremony, “so this is very special to me and a little rushed, so he made sure everything was historical moment for this marae ” [village]. done spot-on this time. Thank you, Uncle. Thank you, Seamus. You make all the Maori PCC Director of Facilities Dan Briskin people here proud.” reported the Maori Village renovations also include new sidewalks, a much larger version To the Maoris gathered that morning, of the structure where guests learn to play the Grace also said, “I hope this is an experience stic, and new infrastructure. you’ll always remember. You’ll go back to your own marae and your own hapu (clan), but “The project expanded into something big- you’ll always belong to this one, too.” ger than we originally thought,” he said, “but The procession respectfully enters the meeting house. we’re very pleased with the results. What we’re Finally, at the end, everyone enjoyed a kai, getting is almost a brand-new village.” Following the speeches, everyone shared a typical New Zealand breakfast. a hongi — the traditional Maori pressing of While the improvement work was under- noses. Then Fitzgerald presented koha or gifts Much of the way, visitor activities took place in the May to several of the carvers and senior missionar- credit for the Day area and Tongan Village amphitheater . ies who played key roles on the project: A toki new carvings or adze head pendant created from the same goes to Walker. Other project updates piece of Maori greenstone in Hokitika, New Fifty years ago With the end of the Polynesian Cultural Zealand. he was the youngest — Center’s 50th Anniversary year just days away, “All of you who received this are connected and today the construction crews have been focusing their through your work here,” Fitzgerald said in only surviving efforts on other projects: Some are very visible, bestowing the special gifts. He also noted member — of and have required both PCC villagers and volunteer labor missionaries built the PCC’s the eight-man guests to be flexible, while others are behind original Maori Village 50 years ago, “and it’s crew from New the scenes. significant that they helped again on this Zealand who Walker Briskin shared the following run-down on project.” created and some of those projects:

and CEO. “We’ve been putting a great deal of The new Market Place Thea Award... energy into revitalizing our guest experiences and facilities to better showcase the diverse “The Center is still waiting to receive our Continued from page 1 cultures and people of Hawaii and the rest of main building permits for the new Market the PCC’s new Hawaiian Journey cinematic Polynesia.” Place,” Briskin said, “but we’ve already got presentation and redesign of the Gateway permission to start on ‘deep underground’ restaurant. A sample of 2014 recipients include Gar- utilities, such as sewer connections for the dens by the Bay in Singapore and new bathrooms, while we wait for the rest of “It’s a tremendous honor to win the Thea The Song of performance at Universal Studios the permits to be approved. That could happen Award and see the Polynesian Cultural Center An Angel Japan. Other recent recipients include the any day.” placed alongside some of the biggest names Aulani Disney Resort in Ko Olina, Oahu; and in the global entertainment and attractions “The Making of Harry Potter,” Warner Bros. He explained that soon after the 50th industry,” said Alfred Grace, PCC President London, England, studio tour. Continued on page 3

IMUA POLENISIA Momentum picks up on other PCC renovations Anniversary celebration in September, the that elevates it — is nearing completion. Pacific Theater bathrooms were demolished and temporary portable facilities installed. “This means that all of the concrete we temporarily poured on the village malae [com- Eric Workman, PCC Executive Vice mon area] o accommodate the Island Feast President of Sales, Marketing and Develop- while the Hale Aloha was closed, has been ment, explained that the new Market Place removed. We are in the process of relandscap- Near-future projects plans call for four buildings to be constructed ing the area, and it’s going to look beautiful.” makai [seaward] of the Pacific Theater. “We’ve Maintenance Building: “We’re going to Islands Office already had meetings with potential tenants, be doing a lot of painting and other work on and we’re beginning to take applications from Briskin said that after the PCC receives the the building,” Briskin said, “including ‘repro- others who would be interested in being a part appropriate permits, the existing Islands Of- gramming’ it to make better use of the existing of the activities in that area.” fice — between and Aotearoa — will space to accommodate the warehouse needs of the new Market Place.” “One of the Center’s overall objectives is to be demolished. “We plan to rebuild it about 15 feet [inland] of its current location on help the community, and the interest level has mauka Pacific Theater: He added that early the service road. While construction is going been high,” he said. next year the PCC will begin repair work on on,” he said, “the Islands Office will temporar- “the mountain. That’s going to be a bit of a Kea Haverly, PCC Director of In-Center ily relocate to the back of the Hale Aloha.” challenge, because we’re going to do the work Marketing, who will have responsibility for without interrupting the night show.” much of the area, added in a PCC employee Other projects meeting on November 21 that the new Market Emergency generator: Briskin said con- “Our big project next year is to renovate Place will feature a restaurant, shops, kiosks, struction work has started on an emergency the Tongan Village. Historical and cultural entertainment, an ukulele factory experience, generator shed to be located near the Mainte- overtones make this a very exciting project,” and French Polynesian roulottes or food trucks. nance Building. Briskin said, referring to a recent trip PCC Vice President of Facilities Jesse Baer and Briskin said the new Market Place has a “This one will power the whole Center Tongan master carver Tuione Pulotu made to tentative completion date of December 2014 in case of an emergency — replacing 12 cur- . or January 2015. rent generators with one large one,” he said. Baer said in a separate interview he and The Hale Aloha “It’s also powerful enough to back-up part of BYUH in an emergency: It can run for 10 Pulotu originally intended to explore possible “Except for some technical tweaking, work hours straight at 100 percent power before ideas for the renovation, “but we saw very few on the Hale Aloha is essentially complete and refueling.” examples of traditional Tongan architecture our luau theater has reopened,” Briskin said. there, which made us realize the Center Briskin stressed that the new generator, increasingly plays a critical role in helping Samoan Village which is already on site and basically looks like preserve aspects of Tongan culture.” a 40-foot container, “won’t interrupt the night The new Samoan maota (chief’s house) — show with noise, which was an important “That’s somewhat sad, but it helps increase its significance marked by apaepae foundation consideration.” our commitment to get it right,” Briskin added. “We hope to start construction after the summer of 2014, which gives us time to get the design right, make sure that our Tongan Village gives us lots of input, and that we’re doing it the very best that we can.”

“That’s the approach we’re going to take with all cultural renovations: Spend more time understanding what is required to get it right before starting construction. Of course, it’s a challenge to adapt ancient cultures with modern building codes and requirements. The codes ensure that safety is first and foremost.”

Briskin also said the Center’s Food & Bev- erage building will undergo major renova- tions in 2014, including reprogramming space to make the building more efficient, “and keep The relative height of the paepae (foundation) of the new maota or chief’s house in the Samoan Village operations going at the same time. We hope to is an indication of its cultural importance. It faces the newly replanted village green. — PCC photo by Mike Foley finish that by the end of 2014.”

DECEMBER 2013 out of the Waikiki office for many years, most PCC announces staff organizational changes recently as Director of Eastbound Sales re- With the 50th Anniversary activities Chief Financial Officer Doug Lyons - an porting to Raymond Magalei, Vice President now part of the history books, the PCC also nounced that Jarod Hester has succeeded of Sales and Marketing, has returned to Laie recently made several organizational changes. Larry Yuen as the Center’s new Controller, and now reports to Eric Workman, Executive and that Yuen has been named the Center’s Vice President of Marketing and Strategic P C C Chief Accountant “to focus on all our day-to- Development, as the new Director of Research Chief Opera- day transactions.” and Development. tions Officer Logo Apelu Hester, who was born in England, moved “He’ll help us create deeper insights into a n nou nc e d to New Zealand as a toddler and lived in the the market by consolidating and refining our Jesse Baer as North Shore area of Auckland. He graduated satisfaction data into a customer relationship the new Vice from Auckland University in commerce and database system to focus on repeat visitor busi- P r e s i d e n t accounting, and brings 20 years of financial ness,” Workman said. “He’ll also help grow of Physical experience with the Church, including being our e-marketplace and support us in develop- Facilities. controller for the Pacific Area for almost nine ing new products and activities at the Center.” years. B a e r Workman stressed that Walker, who is ex- comes to us His work during those years took him to cited about his new challenges, will continue Baer from Salt many of the Pacific islands. “One of my favor- “to support Japanese sales in the interim until Lake City, ite places is Vava‘u, Tonga, which is gorgeous, a suitable replacement has been found. He where he worked in Latter-day Saint Church as are many has done a tremendous job with the Japanese maintenance and facilities management, other places, market over many years, and we’re excited to including overseeing the Joseph Smith Memo- such as Lalo- have him in his new role to help us build the rial Building for 13 years, the Church Office manu Beach PCC product with new offerings.” Building for five years, and most recently the in Samoa and • Workman noted Francis Ho Ching, half-million square- foot Bishop’s Storehouse the Fijian formerly Senior Manager of Westbound commodities warehouse. Prior to that, he outer islands. Sales, has been named Director of Sales for worked for 20 years in all phases of construc- Some of the the PCC. “That’s a redefinition of his former tion. most humble responsibilities,” Workman explained. “He people in the still reports to Magalei, but now he and his Baer said his new position is a little like world are team are responsible for all sales channels, not “coming home,” since as a boy he lived in in Kiribati, just agent sales.” Samoa from 1970-73 while his father was a and all the construction supervisor. He attended Church Hester islands have “In the past our sales teams were fairly College of Western Samoa, and returned to their unique siloed into market segments and channels,” Samoa as a missionary from 1974-76. beauty.” Workman continued. “Now we’re taking a more mixed approach. Ho Ching and his team “We lived next door to Delsa Moe’s fam- “With all the changes going on here, and have to look at the whole market, and holisti- ily back then, and she was friend’s with my trying to better utilize some of the Church’s cally optimize sales across all the channels.” younger sister. Kap Tafiti’s older brothers also financial systems, several people who knew of taught me how to make an umu when we lived my Pacific background recommended me for • Account Executive Nephi Setoki in their ward,” said Baer, who attended school this role,” Hester said. has been asked to assume the Direct Sales at Pesega with Steve Laulu, the PCC’s Samoan responsibilities that had previously been part Village manager. He and Laulu also served “I’ve got a real passion for the Polynesian of Pane Meatoga’s responsibilities, so Meatoga together as missionaries. people, and I’m grateful to be here,” he contin- can “focus more attention on setting up new ued. “Having spent time at Liahona, Pesega, e-commerce tools and maintaining the sys- “Since then, I’ve stayed in contact with Vaiola and other Latter-day Saint places in the tems, while Setoki will focus on the sales and the Samoan community in Salt Lake, but it islands, when they asked me to come here, I marketing side. We could use five more Pane’s has been fun to come here and meet a lot of was all in.” people I grew up with but haven’t seen for 40 because so much is expected of him,” Work- years. Of course, a lot of my classmates came Hester and his wife, who had not previ- man said. to school here and I’ve always had an affinity ously been to Hawaii, brought four of their • PCC alum David Betham has rejoined for Laie, the Polynesian Cultural Center and five children with them. the Center as the new Reservations Manager. what goes on here.” Other recent personnel changes at the He succeeds Sally Mapu, who requested a “To be associated with you now is an in- PCC include: transition and has been asked to take over credible experience. I’m excited to work with sales training responsibilities, and reports to the men and women behind the scenes who Sales and Marketing Ho Ching. keep the Center’s facilities operational and • J. Alan Walker, who has been working looking good. Continued on page 5

IMUA POLENISIA perience; and I look forward to working with President’s Message... each of you in helping make 2014 another Continued from page 1 outstanding year. Hawaiian Journey Theater and Hawaiian Vil- lage, and the extensive renovations to the Hale With best regards, Aloha, Samoan and Maori Villages.

During this past year we have also seen tough times in the visitor industry, which brings to mind our goal of being self-reliant. P. Alfred Grace Achieving self-reliance helps us continue to President & CEO fulfill our objec- • With the exception of the hula festival, tives related to William Mahoni is now director of all the building the Center’s special and major events. c o m m u n i t y and the Laie Staff changes... • Steve Laulu has been promoted to Senior Hawaii Temple, Continued from page 4 Island Manager/Luau, and has taken on the supporting our Operations new responsibility of supervising all luau per- sister institution formances in addition to continuing to serve of BYU–Hawaii • Seamus Fitzgerald has been appointed as the Samoan Village manager. “He’ll work and its students, as the new Cultural Islands Director, and closely with the Food & Beverage and Theater p o s i t i v e l y will also continue in his role as Maori Village Departments in his new capacity,” said Delsa reflecting the manager. He succeeds Raymond Mariteragi, Moe, PCC Director of Cultural Operations. Church as we who recently retired. “With Steve’s experience, we’re going to take President Grace share the aloha our luaus to an all-new level.” spirit, and help- • Cy Bridges has succeeded Bobby Akoi ing to preserve and portray Polynesian culture. as PCC Director of Protocol. He will also • Talagū Ah Hoy has transferred from the continue to work with the Moanikeala Hula Theater Department and is now the on-site The late President Gordon B. Hinckley Festival special event. Guides Coordinator, the position Aliimau once said, “It is not so much the major events Toelupe filled before he recently retired. She’s as the small day-to-day decisions that map the John Muaina, PCC Vice President of also supervising Chinese and Korean guides. course of our living. Our lives are, in reality, Human Resource, said that Bobby Akoi, the sum total of our seemingly unimportant meanwhile, is now the Director of Training • Titi Ha‘o has also transferred from the decisions and of our capacity to live by those and Development with responsibilities includ- Theater Department and is now the Guest decisions.” ing the new I-LEAD program. Services office supervisor, the position previ- ously held by the late Kim Naeole. President Hinckley also counseled us to Muaina explained that “beginning January live honestly every day, so others can trust our 1, 2014, all new student hires at the PCC will • Jimmy Mapu has been promoted to As- words, motives and actions. “Others will re- be required to complete a series of I-LEAD sistant Guest Services Manager. member longer what they saw in us than what modules. These will help those students who they heard from us,” he said. “Our attitude perhaps are not familiar with working in our • Guest Services Manager Tipa Galea‘i and our point of view can make a tremendous kind of environment.” now also has responsibility for the Security difference.” and First Aid Departments. “As students are hired, they’ll go through What we do here is important, not just our regular new-hire orientation, but we’ll pay • Lau Niumatalolo has succeeded Liufau to the job, but to our lives. We need to apply them for two additional hours to complete Tu‘ifua, who recently retired, as the Security President Hinckley’s principles to ourselves, the first set of modules,” Muaina said. “These Supervisor. Tu‘ifua had almost 38 years of ser- both here at the Center and in our other roles basically start off with the new-hires knowing vice at the Center. beyond these gates. We need to be excellent their duties, and the late President Gordon B. Other recent retirees include Nona examples to all around us. It’s more about Hinckley is the focus of that module. Akoi Warner, Seamstress; Felila Liufau, Banyan what we do than what we say. will follow up with them to make sure they Snack Bar; Pepe Nautu, Samoan Village; Sela complete the module.” I would also add one more admonition Feinga, Handicrafts; and Theater Manager from President Hinckley: “Get on your knees Muaina added there will also be I-LEAD Taofi Magalei. and pray, then get on your feet and work.” supervisory modules, “so that when any of Delsa Moe said many of these personnel That’s how we’ll get through the challenges our students are promoted, there is both a changes had been under discussion for several and tough times, which will pass. departmental training process and I- LEAD months, “but we felt it was important to wait supervisory modules. Upon completion, We have some wonderful activities coming until after our 50th Anniversary reunion to they’ll get a certificate, which can become part insure that event went as smoothly as pos- in the new year, with appropriate plans to of their résumés.” improve the Polynesian Cultural Center ex- sible.”

DECEMBER 2013 ‘Spirit of Aloha’ Award goes to Seumanutafa Polynesian Cultural Center President & CEO Alfred Grace presented the 2013 Bar- bara Velasco Spirit of Aloha Award to Travis Seumanutafa, a Samoan who was born and raised in Auckland, New Zealand, during a PCC team meeting on December 19 in the Hawaiian Journey Theater.

Seumanutafa, who graduated in elementa- ry education from BYU–Hawaii the previous Saturday, has been working in Special Events, and also worked in Guest Services.

Grace explained that the “very special” Congratulating the 2013 Spirit of Aloha Award recipient: (left-right) PCC President & CEO Alfred Grace, Director of Cultural Presentations Delsa Moe, awardee Travis Seumanutafa, his wife Cilati and son Deieon, COO Logo Apelu, award was established with a generous dona- and Director of Special Events William Mahoni, Seumanutafa’s former supervisor. — PCC photo by Mike Foley tion in 2010 from the Keith and Carol Jenkins Foundation to recognize a BYU–Hawaii ing to miss them,” he said, adding that he met “I’m also fortunate to know Cilati,” Grace student working at the Center “who best his wife, Cilati Lisati, a Tuvaluan, at the PCC. said. “She is a definite example of the saying, demonstrates the spirit of aloha personified in “She was also born and raised in Auckland, ‘Behind every good man there’s a better the service and in the life of the late Barbara but we never crossed paths there.” woman.’” Velasco,” an LDS Philanthropies donor liaison who worked with the Jenkins in their role as Cilati worked as a night show dancer, a Seumanutafa said the couple plans to take key members of the BYUH/PCC Presidents marketing intern and as a guide while at the a short break from school, then pursue gradu- Leadership Council. Velasco, who was known PCC. She graduated from BYUH earlier in ate studies, probably on the mainland. as “Mrs. Aloha,” passed away in 2010. 2013, also in elementary education. “Being able to work in a nice, clean envi- Grace also shared several of the comments “I was also initially surprised at the award,” ronment where people have the same values made in nominating Seumanutafa for the she said, “but then, when I think about Travis and beliefs, that’s something we’re really going award: “I cannot think of a more deserving and his character, I think it’s wonderful that to miss,” he said. recipient. He served extremely well during his people recognize how hard he works and see “I want to thank the management and years as a Guide leader, trainer and wonderful him the way I see him.” leadership for their examples and kindness, example. He also served in the bishopric of a “We’re excited to move on, but it’s a bitter- and all that they’ve done for my wife and I campus ward, and is an honorable husband sweet moment,” Cilati continued. “This place during our three years here.” and new father to a beautiful baby boy.” has been so special: It’s our second home.” ““He’s always willing to help where needed, when needed, and makes it fun for all working with him,” another senior manager Team members share thoughts at Christmas wrote, Grace said. “He can work unsupervised “It’s a great time of the year when we used to feed her and her companions during and make good decisions on his own. He’s a celebrate the birth of our Savior,” said COO those Hawaii Mission days. great team player, and he’s very supportive of Logo Apelu at the beginning of the December his leaders and the mission of the Polynesian 19, 2013, PCC Team meeting in the Hawaiian “Christmas is about our Savior, Jesus Cultural Center.” Journey Theater. He announced four employ- Christ,” she continued. “I know that He lives and loves every one of us. The aloha spirit is the “It was a shock to be recognized like this,” ees would share their thoughts about the PCC best gift we can share with others.” Seumanutafa responded. “I’m sure there are at Christmas time: a lot of others here who are also sharing the Originally from She also thanked all of her leaders “for spirit of aloha.” Navutoka, Tonga, always keeping up with us, and understanding what we need. I also want to thank the senior “I love PCC because it’s a place where Kesa Kaufusi first missionaries: You guys are the best. I am so we feel we’ve known the people we see for came to PCC in grateful for you, and for the Cultural Center.” a long time, and you can talk to them about 2009 as a full-time missionary before re- anything. It just goes back to the spirit of aloha Kelela Lombard, a 31-year veteran, that shines brightly here.” turning as a student worker. She thanked explained she actually came to the PCC when her widowed mother, Ofa Talakai, was hired “I’ve made a lot of friends here, and I’m go- Kaufusi those employees who Continued on page 7

IMUA POLENISIA “Maori Christmas.”

He cited a list of treasures he has shared at the PCC, including “being blessed with the gift of opportunities,” in spite of economic Christmas Lagoon is the PCC’s unique tribute to the Savior’s nativity, along with the other joys of the Christmas season. and challenges, that It draws outstanding responses from visitors, and broad participation from community volunteers. — PCC photo by Mike Foley enable us “to bless Clawson the lives of each Christmas Lagoon: A unique addition to the season other and our guests. Heavenly Father keeps For eight nights in December, the PCC’s A PCC manager who sat next to a fam- sending them our way.” special half-hour canoe ride, Christmas ily with a three-year-old son from Honolulu “The memories of you and the experiences Lagoon: The Light Within, drew thousands on one of the special canoe rides, said they you have created are also my gifts,” he said. of visitors to this unique combination of the clapped for everything, said “this is awesome,” “They make me feel I belong to our PCC fam- traditional Christian nativity story told in and the boy “loved all the girls who were danc- ily. Directly or indirectly, your gifts make me Polynesian overtones as well as more con- ing, which made his parents laugh.” feel at home and happy.” temporary looks at the holiday’s traditions in China, France, Spain, Norway, Russia and, In addition to the Christmas canoe ride, “But there is one gift greater — the gift of yes, the U.S.A. various musicians and hula halau also shared immortality and eternal life. I’m grateful to their talents during the Polynesian Cultural our Savior,” he said. “Christmas Lagoon shares the familiar na- Center’s special holiday celebration. tivity story through the eyes of a hula teacher Outgoing CFO David Ralph said he will elling her students how Christmas started in miss the people who exemplify the PCC’s val- Hawaii, and includes other holiday traditions Christmas thoughts... ues and beliefs. “I am grateful to my Heavenly from around the world,” said William Ma- Continued from page 6 Father for my time honi, PCC Director of Special Events. in 1965. She shared several PCC Christmas here, and for the comments she first wrote in 1985: great blessing I have “We’re pleased to remind people of the had to serve with Savior’s birth and the real meaning of Christ- “You are a child you.” mas, along with some of the beautiful customs of promise whose and enjoyable aspects of this special holiday birth was foretold Reflecting on his season,” he continued, adding that as with and talked about youthful Spanish- several other PCC events, this one involved by men of God,” speaking mission in up to 100 volunteers, including 40–50 school- she read from a Houston, he said he children from the surrounding communities. PCC newsletter. Ralph likes to break the She recalled kupuna word Christmas into [elders] from those Christ and mas — which means more: See how Lombard days: Jubilee Logan, we can put more Christ in our Christmas.” the Mapuhis, Ratu Lowenilovo and Emosi Damuni; and others. PCC President Alfred Grace concluded with the scripture, For unto us...a son is given. “You are still caring and nurturing, and I How many of us would give our own son or am glad to be here in this place of promise in daughter for the good of others?” he asked. Polynesia... In your veins runs the true aloha, alofa, and ‘ofa lahi [also meaning aloha] of our “At this time of the year, may we never for- people; and the priesthood looks after you.” get in whose name we truly celebrate Christ- mas and be grateful for the blessings that are Three Samoan “kings” sing O Holy Night Playing on words of his village, Mark ours.” during Christmas Lagoon: The Light Within “Maka” Clawson, a 28-year veteran, said,

DECEMBER 2013 50th Anniversary rugby team on a two-year deal. Tagaloa had Elder James and Sister Anne Green from DVDs now available been playing for the USA International Toma- Grayland, Washington. He is a retired physi- hawks, who made it to the recent World Cup cal therapist. They have served two previous PCC Senior Manager of Marketing Seth quarter-finals. missions to Australia and West Virginia. He Casey has announced that the Center’s four- is assigned as a painter for Physical Facilities, disk 50th Anniversary souvenir DVD set is and she helps as needed as a seamstress or of- now available for purchase and can be ordered fice support. online at: Meet the missionaries Recently arrived PCC service missionaries Elder Gary and Jolene Jaster from http://shop.polynesia.com/50th- include: Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. He is retired anniversary-combo-4-disc-set.html military, equipment operator, and a locomo- Elder Glen and Phyllis Andersen from tive engineer. She is a homemaker and enjoys “One disk covers the entire gold alumni Nauvoo, Illinois. He is a plumber by trade and writing, journaling and family history. They show, another disk the silver alumni show, and worked for the Church in Nauvoo restoring will be in Maintenance doing the town run. the other two disks include highlights from old plumbing. She sews, worked as a secretary, other activities during our 50th Anniversary did accounting for school, taught, and loves Sister Janet Johnson from Ogden, Utah, celebration week [in September 2013],” Casey family history. He will be in Physical Facilities spent her last 12-plus years as an events coor- explained. and she is supporting Give and Take. dinator on Temple Square in Salt Lake City, which included having keys to everything. She Elder Dave and Sister Eddie and Elder D has been assigned as office support in HR. Bob Bailey from Moroni, Utah, are assigned to the I-Works program. Elder Dave was a Sister Lorna Lewis from Windsor, Cali- previous CEO for Norbest Turkey and played fornia. She was an elementary school teacher basketball at BYU. Sister Bailey is a beautician for 24 years and a probation officer for three and homemaker. D Bob is their 21-year-old years. She enjoys sewing and will serve at the son, who is also serving at PCC. He has a clip Island Office and in HR as office support. on YouTube from Manti basketball. Sister Chris Price from Pleasant View, Elder Rob and Sister Kelly Chalmers Utah. She taught school for 25 years and from Orem, Utah. They are assigned to the mentored teachers after retiring. She loves to Mission Settlement and both are very musical. sew, gave tours as part of her Palmyra mission He is a former insurance agent and she was experience, and be with people. Sister Price is “We’ve already had a lot of interest in these involved in craft boutiques. Their family has assigned to HR as office support and the Mis- DVDs. The video production team of Gary Hawaiian roots back to 1800. sion Settlement. Smith and Travis Cameron did a great job Sister Mary Lou Erickson from Rainier, Sister Elisabeth Tisdel from Santa Barba- in capturing the emotion and beauty of the Oregon. She worked as a proof spotter at a ra, California, is assigned to serve in the Mis- events. The images are very sharp, the colors photo studio and was a teacher’s assistant. She sion Settlement chapel. She is a stay-at-home vibrant, and the quality is very high,” Casey previously served in the North British Mis- mom, loves reading, fine art, wild flowers, salt continued, noting that both he and PCC Vice sion. She has been assigned to Give and Take water swimming and exercise. She had previ- President of Sales and Marketing Raymond and helps with crafts in the Island office. ous missionary experiences in Europe and in Magalei also assisted with the editing process. the China Teacher Program. Sister Linda Fielding, from Cedar City, “The DVDs captured as many participants Utah, has been assigned to work in Seamstress Sister Teresa Wang (pronounced “Wong”) as possible, and they will be a great way to and in the chapel at the Mission Settlement. from South Jordan, Utah, is also assigned to remember and relive all of the fun and aloha She was previously a private school adminis- Mission Home chapel as well as Guest Ser- we shared during the alumni reunion. They trator, worked as a secretary, and also worked vices. She previously served a mission in Japan, will make a great souvenir of the 50th An- at Yellowstone National Park. and has three children also currently serving niversary, or a Christmas gift.” missions, as featured on the news in Utah. In world news... • Congratulations to former Tahitian Village worker and Miss 2012, Teuira Napa, who recently won the 2013 Miss South Pacific title in Honiara, Solo- mon Islands.

• Malo lava [congratulations] to former Samoan Villager Loto Tagaloa, who was picked up by the Sheffield, England, Eagles 55-370 Kamehameha Highway, Laie, HI 96762 Please visit us at: www .polynesia com.

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