Elder and Sister Craig on a Mission

Interesting quick story.

Every morning I unlock the board room - sometimes the building. We leave for the PCC office at 8:15 a.m. and arrive 6 minutes or less later. I am in charge of the Devotional, making out the schedule, emailing everyone a reminder the day before, laying out the song books and the I give the program to the Conductor of the Devotional which is one of the Execs. By then it is exactly 8:30 a.m. The board room is impressive with large black leather chairs, about 20 or more, I'll count them tomorrow, and a lovely long shiney table that looks like rich mahogany embellished with a gold inlayed strip around it. (Gold paint, not real gold.) This room has been visited by Prophets and Apostles of the Lord, Presidents of Universities and Countries. It is an impressive room. It has a picture of the 12 Apostles on one wall with the Prophet and Presiding 1st Presidency next to a picture of Jesus. There is good lighting and ambiance but it is freezing in there. We all say BR! It is very highly air conditioned. It has a cupboard from floor to ceiling housing all the electrical wiring that hooks the room up to Cable and internet and conference calling with a 10 foot by 10 foot retractable screen on one end of the room. It has other tasteful and exotic decor which are lovely gifts from dignitaries around the world displayed there and all through our foyer and office... Each day someone in the office is assigned to do a Cultural Belief, (which is basically an example of one of the points of the Mission Statement of the PCC, for example: an employee who Wowed a guest), Spiritual Thought and choosing our song, a Prayer on the day, and then any announcements or comments are called for. Then everyone is wished a great day and we are off. I am always impressed and amazed at the wisdom and preparation that comes from each individual; especially when Elderly Patriarch President David Hanneman gives one of his Cultural Beliefs or one of his prayers, you know that God is listening to him. The spirit permeates the room and my soul and I am ready for the day and whatever it brings.

Yesterday for the Cultural Belief, Bobby Akoi, (my boss) told us of a guest that came in 1998 that we would find interesting. The crown Prince of Saudi Arabia asked to visit the Polynesian Cultural Center with his entourage of 20. They flew here in a Private Jet and rented the 2nd floor of the Turtle Bay Resort. He brought his own cook with him and asked to visit the PCC for part of the day, then be served dinner and go to the Horizon's Night Show that starts of 7:30 p.m. Our night show is the biggest tourist attraction on Oahu. It really is a spectacular show that has run for over 12 years with tweeking here and there, and will be retired for the new show called "HA" meaning the Breath of Life to be started in August. With the debut of "HA," all preparations from costumes to new lighting and sound systems in the Pacific Theatre are underway. It is a BIG deal, and everyone is busy in preparations.

The Prince and his entourage seemed to enjoy the Villages and threw many hundred dollar bills as tips to guides and staff as they went along their tour of the PCC. Their cook was put in touch with Fifita, our head Food and Beverage lady and together they got what was necessary for him to prepare their special meal. They were served privately in one of the Villages King's Lodge. Bobby felt some tension about them yet they were very kind and he left them in the charge of Logo to finish their meal while he went to the Pacific Theatre to check on their Night Show front row seating arrangements. By 7:45 p.m. he called Logo on his cell phone to see where they all were, the show had started and they hadn't artived. Logo said they had been sent to the Theatre with one of our guides. After investigating, Bobby found that the group all wanted to smoke and out of respect, knowing we don't smoke in our facility (yet we do have several smoking areas - perhaps they didn't know that,) they left without seeing the show. Bobby sent them a note to thank them for their visit and sorry they missed the show etc....

A week later a note was sent back. They had a wonderful experience and were delighted with what they saw and learned about the Polynesian Culture, and thanked all who made their visit a good experience Attached was a generous donation check for $10,000.00.

This place is full of stories.......I love this place.
Love MOM