Polynesian Cultural Center ... you paid too much and other Hawaii (State of), HI Tourist Trap Tips

When you break down the cost of your ticket, you'll find they charged you about $35 for that "mock" of a Hawaiian dinner! Be careful of the "shops" also, you KNOW you can get that same bag at WalMart pretty much cheaper!

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At Least Do This: Okay okay ... while I think the price is a bit outrageous, I'll admit that some of the money generated from this center goes toward college for students at BYU. GO EARLY, and you'll learn about the cultures that form our old Hawaii. Stay for the night show ... the fire performers are worth it. There is also a canoe pageant and IMAX included on your ticket.
Alternative: We possess an annual pass, so each time we go, we just pay for dinner. Since I can't see paying $35 for dinner, we just go to McDonald's next door, order a meal, then head back for the show.
Alternative Luau's to go to are Germaine's Luau and Paradise Cove.

While it may provide some basic pineapple facts, it's really all about getting you to their souvenir shop. There are some really interesting pineapple plants in the back, and real pineapple facts, though many tourists never really make it back there. A pineapple plant yields approximately 3 pineapples in it's life cycle ... one after about 18 months, then another 13 months later, and again 13 or so months later.

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At Least Do This: If you find yourself at the Dole Plantation, be sure to go in the back to see different types of pineapple that can grow here on the islands. Also, for fun though there is a $5 fee (or 2@$5 if you have a coupon) visit the "maze" to the right of the store. From aerial, the maze is a picture of a pineapple, though there are no pineapples at all in the maze.
Alternative: If you're really into pineapples, stop by the "pineapple corner" just down the road that has a large variety of other pineapples, all marked where they originated from.