[QUOTE=pawtim;12915377]
My experience at the PCC was that it was a religious entity pushing its particular religious point of view. Since that was the apparent purpose, it should have been disclosed. . . . .
I didn't say (or mean to say) that my major problem with this place was that it is "run by Mormons" but rather that it is "run by the Mormon church". There was a lot of proselytizing while we were there, and I don't appreciate that. We wanted to see Polynesian culture, but they were pushing Mormon culture, and pushing hard. . . .
You've yet to explain what you claim was proselytizing or pushing Mormon culture. I'm no expert, but I've been to the PCC several times. The closest thing to proselytizing is that they offered to take me on a tour of the nearby college and temple. I've never seen anything that could remotely be called pushing "Mormon culture," although, frankly, I'm not sure what you mean by that term. I suppose they say grace on the food at the luau, I don't really recall. You've got pretty thin skin if you are offended by that.
Your claim of fraud is simply laughable. I just checked the PCC website. With one click I found the following:
"In addition to helping preserve and showcase South Pacific island cultures, the Polynesian Cultural Center is a nonprofit institution founded by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (whose members are sometimes popularly called the Mormons or LDS) and dedicated to helping provide educational opportunities for students at the adjoining Brigham Young University Hawaii. Since the Center opened on October 12, 1963, nearly 17,000 students have financed their studies at BYU-Hawaii by working at PCC."
Frankly, I didn't know that was on the website nor did I care. But, it was hardly a mystery. Fraud? Please.
I think you were accurately quoting what the ads claim in your first quote -- they claim to be the #1 paid attraction in Hawaii.
I said that they were the #1 paid attraction in Hawaii because they have been for many years. It's not a vote, although they list many awards on their website as well. The truth is that there simply isn't anything like the PCC anywhere else. Yes, it is a little like a Polynesian Disneyland (or more accurately EPCOT Center). But, tell me where you can find anything remotely close to providing as much information about polynesian history, culture, food, dance, agriculture, etc.
Obviously, you had a bad experience at the PCC. But, your 1/2 day clearly does not represent the experience of the majority of people who go there and make it the #1 paid attraction in Hawaii. I fear that your posts do a disservice to many who would go and very much enjoy the experience, but were scared off by your description of your 1/2 day.