Donate to Work-Study
Polynesian Cultural Center Work-Study Opportunities
What It Is
The Polynesian Cultural Center 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 Polynesian Cultural Center 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 Polynesian Cultural Center employs approximately 700 BYU–Hawaii students each semester. Polynesian Cultural Center work-study opportunities provide spiritually worthy, academically capable, but financially disadvantaged young people with access to education.
Why It Is a Priority
If BYU–Hawaii and the Polynesian Cultural Center are to fulfill their joint mission of educating young people from Asia and the Pacific, funds need to be in place. 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 work-study opportunities, they commit to contribute a portion of the cost of their education, work at the Polynesian Cultural Center, keep grades up, live by the university’s honor code, and return home after studies are completed.
In many cases the Polynesian Cultural Center’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 Polynesian Cultural Center work-study opportunities will be used to provide educational opportunity for students from Asia and the Pacific who otherwise would not be able to attend BYU–Hawaii.
