Sharing Aloha: A Documentary That Celebrates the Heart of the Polynesian Cultural Center

What happens when culture, identity, and the pressures of tourism collide?

Sharing Aloha is a new 95-minute documentary that reveals the raw, untold stories behind Hawaii’s Polynesian Cultural Center, one of Hawaii’s most beloved (and least understood) attractions. Told through the lives of its young performers, the film explores the delicate balance of preserving their rich cultural heritage while navigating the pressures of modern tourism and the changing landscape of Hawaiian identity.

Joining us to explore the film is director Blair Treu, who gave us a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the film and what he hopes Latter-day Saint audiences will understand about this unique landmark. Plus, enter the sweepstakes at the end to win a trip for two to the islands! 

A World of Imagination & Spirit

For those who have visited Hawaii and seen the lush landscape of the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC), it is easy to see why Treu felt captivated as both a tourist and a filmmaker. But it wasn’t just the beautiful scenery that left a lasting impression—it was also the “remarkable people who bring it all to life.”

“It doesn’t take long in a place like this for your imagination to run wild with the countless stories waiting to be told,” Treu said of his first visits to the PCC. “Looking back now, it’s clear that those early experiences—walking the grounds, meeting the student performers, feeling the spirit of the place—quietly shaped the story I would one day help tell. At the time, though, I had no idea how it would all come together.”

A decade later, these initial impressions would become reality thanks to an unexpected phone call. Randy Rigby, former president of the Utah Jazz, reached out to Treu and asked out-of-the-blue if he would be interested in helping him create a documentary about the PCC. The moment had come and they both agreed: the heart of the story had to be the remarkable students at Brigham Young University—Hawaii.

The Heart of the Story

Students form nearly 70% of the workforce at the PCC and the difficulty wasn’t finding great stories. According to Treu, “it was deciding which ones not to tell.”

So, Treu focused on students who drew out his curiosity, had overcome something significant, and who were willing to let the filmmakers dig into their story. Most importantly, Treu wanted to find students who represented the experience of the PCC in an honest way.

“From the very beginning, my guiding principle was simple: be authentic,” he said. “Today’s audiences crave honesty—they can feel it when a story rings true, and they can just as easily sense when it doesn’t. So my mission was to honor these students by telling their story as it really is: the fears they wrestle with, the challenges they overcome, and the quiet, hard-won victories that carry them from uncertain freshmen to confident, debt-free graduates.”

In Sharing Aloha, here are just a few of the people you’ll meet:

Malcom, a star performer who shines in the spotlight… but his journey to stand before thousands of audience members each night started in some very dark and lonely places. Just how far does he need to go, literally and figuratively, for his family to be proud of him?

Leilani, who performs – on stage, and off – with a lightness and joy that’s hiding a deep, aching pain. The emotional heart of the show, every step she takes in front of the public eye takes her further away from what (and who) she really wants.

Jeri, the reigning female fireknife champion fighting for her place in a male-dominated sport. But what’s driving her to the kind of young woman who picks up a knife and sets it on fire in the first place?

Complexities of Culture and Criticism

The complexities of Hawaiian and Polynesian culture in recent years reflect a delicate balance between preserving rich traditions and navigating modern societal shifts.

On one hand, there’s a deep desire to maintain cultural practices—like language, dance, art, and community values—passed down through generations. On the other hand, the growing influence of tourism, globalization, and changing societal expectations has created challenges.

“When we encountered small but passionate voices critical of the PCC, I couldn’t just dismiss them—I wanted to understand,” Treu said. “How do you share something as sacred and personal as culture in a way that feels both authentic and entertaining? The more I asked, the more I realized just how subjective those answers are. Every performance, every decision is a careful balancing act.”

So, how does one make a film sharing authentic cultural stories against the backdrop of a popular tourist destination?

It may have been easier to focus on the fascinating history of the PCC (did you know Elvis Presley filmed a movie scene there?) or its operation as the most popular paid attraction in Hawaii. However, for the crew of Sharing Aloha, the most compelling story and the answer to criticism was found in the living representation of its subjects.

“The more time I spent among the students—their passion, their vulnerability, their determination to honor their heritage while entertaining the world—the more I knew the real heart of this film lived in them. Their journey, their courage, their voices… that was the story waiting to be told.”

Laid-Back Island Vibes

The culture of the islands wasn’t just at the heart of the story—the laid-back vibes influenced the filming itself and changed the way Treu saw the project as its director, even when it presented a few challenges.

“First, Polynesians are famously humble,” he said. “They don’t usually like talking about themselves, especially to outsiders, and they’re not exactly eager to step into the spotlight. Breaking through that quiet reserve took time, patience, and more than a few awkward silences.”

“Second—let’s just say “island time” is real… very real. Sometimes students showed up for their scheduled interviews. Sometimes they didn’t. Sometimes they wandered in late with a smile and a shrug that said, “What’s the rush?” That easygoing, laid-back vibe is part of what makes the culture so charming—but let’s just say it doesn’t pair naturally with a rigid production schedule.”

Treu realized the only way to survive was to loosen up and lean into the flow of things. It was a necessary change to build the kind of rapport needed for making a film focused on biographical stories.

“Little by little, as trust grew, the students opened up and let us into their lives,” Treu said. “And when they did, it was more than worth the wait.”

Supporting Meaningful Media

Why should Latter-day Saints care about Sharing Aloha? In a media landscape saturated with flat and often egregious examples of our faith (The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives comes to mind), the film is an opportunity to tell real stories about real people connected to institutions founded in faith.

“For Latter-day Saints in particular, I believe they’ll see these two remarkable institutions—the PCC and BYU–Hawaii—in a whole new light,” Treu said. “They’ll witness how this symbiotic relationship unites a multicultural campus of students from around the globe and turns it into something greater than the sum of its parts.”

He continued, “Above all, I hope audiences of every faith and background will do what we’ve already seen so many do at film festivals: smile, laugh, cry, and leave with the undeniable sense that this place, and its people, are truly something special.”

So, what can you do?

“Our hope is simple: to share this film with the world,” Treu said when asked what Latter-day Saints should do to support the film. “But reaching that goal depends on taking a few key steps—and it all starts with opening weekend, August 29. A strong showing at the box office will help the film gain traction, opening doors to wider platforms like Amazon Prime, Netflix, and beyond—where its reach and momentum can grow. Over time, we envision it appearing on airline seatback screens, public broadcasting, BYUtv, and other channels, allowing this story to inspire audiences for years to come.”

To help spread the message, the film is hosting a sweepstakes. You can win a trip for two to the islands to experience the Polynesian Cultural Center for yourself. Use the widget below to earn points and be entered in the sweepstakes. 

Share the Aloha Sweepstakes

Supporting the film also has a direct benefit to the people of the islands.

“Every ticket sold—every dollar earned beyond distribution costs—goes directly back to the Polynesian Cultural Center and the scholarships that make it possible for these incredible students to pursue their dreams,” Treu shared. “That’s the real heart of this film: supporting the students and the legacy they carry forward.”

“So when you’re deciding what to do the weekend of August 29, we hope you’ll find a local theater, take your family or a friend, and experience Sharing Aloha. Then tell others about it—because every viewer makes a difference. And when you buy a ticket, you’re not just watching a film—you’re directly supporting the PCC and the students who make it so special.”

Sharing Aloha With the World

Ultimately, Treu hopes Sharing Aloha will lift you higher, even spiritually.

“This place, and these people, are the living fulfillment of something David O. McKay envisioned over 60 years ago—when the PCC was nothing more than a plot of mostly empty swamp land. Back then, he declared:

“May this place become a missionary factor, influencing not thousands, not tens of thousands, but millions of people who will come seeking to know what this town and its significance are.”

To see that vision alive today—through the stories and sacrifices of these students—is nothing short of inspiring. Of course, I may be biased. But after you’ve seen their journey for yourself, I hope you’ll feel the same.”

Aleah Ingram

Aleah is a graduate of Southern Virginia University, where she studied English, Creative Writing, and Dance. She now works full time as a marketing and product manager, writer, and editor. She currently hosts the podcast “Single to the Glory” about singlehood in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Aleah served a mission in California and loves baking, Lang Leav poetry, Gaynor Minden pointe shoes, and Bollywood movies.