IMUA 12-10 - PCC 50th Anniversary

President Monson...Continued from page 1Several other little children soon surroundedthe prophet, wanting a similar vantage point.Throughout his visit to the PolynesianCultural Center and the cultural celebrationperformance the next day, President Monsonproved to be a great sport as he warmlystopped to greet many people and interactedwith the villagers. For example, he hefted aFijian war club of the honor guard and triedhis hand at Tongan dancing. The villagersand guests loved these impromptu responses.In the Samoan village, the presidentialentourage enjoyed a cultural demonstrationof fire-making and coconut husking, followedby four young men climbing a singlecoconut tree.Next, President Monson and his partyate dinner in the Ambassador dining area,then attended the Polynesian Cultural Center’snew night show, “Ha Breath of Life.”After a standing ovation for the finalé, thecast reformed on stage and sang a beautifulrendition of Teach Me to Walk in the Light.Many in the audience also stayed behind toThe cast and crew of “Ha Breath of Life” seranaded President Monson with Teach Me to Walkin the Light after the night show on November 19. (photo by Mike Foley)enjoy the song and linger in the prophet’spresence. It was a beautiful experience withmany tears shed.As he had throughout the afternoon,President Monson responded to the final outpouringof aloha at the Polynesian CulturalCenter. Indeed, even after the president’sparty had left the Pacific Theater, many ofthe performers remained on the stage as ifthey were reluctant for the evening to end.The next day, President Monson and theofficial party attended the 6 p.m. showing ofThe Gathering Place, a cultural celebrationstaged by approximately 2,000 Latter-daySaint youth from Oahu and Kauai in theBYU–Hawaii Cannon Activities Center.Our own Delsa Moe, Director of CulturalPresentations, chaired the celebration.On Sunday, November 21, PresidentMonson rededicated the Laie Hawaii Templein sessions at 9 a.m., noon and 3 p.m.President Monson greeted hundreds of PCC islanders and guests during his visit (photos and montage by Mike Foley)i m u a p o l e n i s i a

PCC facilities to come under Church systemPresident & CEO Von D. Orgill recentlyreminded team members that when he reportedthe Center has another five years to goon catching up with a 15-year plan of capitalimprovements to Church leaders, they respondedby offering financial assistance toaccomplish all the changes in time for thePCC’s 50th anniversary in 2013.“In the process of granting us thosefunds,” President Orgill continued, “theBrethren said it’s time to bring the PCC intothe Church ‘family’ [with regard to facilitiesconstruction and maintenance, etc.].”“Prior to this,”President Orgillsaid, “the PCChad been asked tobe self-sustaining,while supportingB Y U – H a w a i iand its students.Since the Centeropened in 1963over $175 millionhas been providedto the school andthe students.”Leland Masonthe need for improvement, which can besummarized with the words “none, slight,some, considerable and extensive.” Morespecifically, a facility might be rated:1. Like new, no dirt or grime, repairs donein workman-like manner: For example, thetemple would be a “1”, the Church ConferenceCenter a “1.5”.2. Slight dirt or need for repairs: Public areasin the Joseph Smith Memorial Building are a2, but chapels should be a “2.5”. “This meansthere might be a little dirt,” Mason said, “butyou’d have to look for it.”3. Some dirt, grime, and/or need for repairs4. Considerable dirt and need of repairs orreplacement.5. Extensive dirt and need of major repairs orreplacement.“This system works,” Mason said. “Ithas worked throughout the Church. It hasbrought the buildings and the facilitiesup to the standards that the Brethren haveestablished.”“The Lord said we need to be continuouslystriving to be organized, as He is,” Masonadded, citing Doctrine and Covenants109:8,15: Organize yourselves, prepare everyneedful thing, and establish a house.. a houseof order...and be prepared to obtain everyneedful thing.He said as the Center follows this program,we would benefit by:• Following the direction of Church leaders• Increasing customer satisfaction: “I’ve cometo recognize the wonderful spirit that resideshere,” he said. “I think our Father in Heavenis truly here. He’s directing this work. Ourguests will recognize what we’re doing.”• Increasing the life of equipment: “Part ofthis evaluation is to determine how often weContinued on page 4“That doesn’t mean we’re going to be ona budget like everyone else,” he said, “butwe’re now going to be expected to implementthe same construction and maintenancestandards to which the Church holds all itsother entities worldwide.”To help the Center establish andimplement appropriate asset managementstandards, especially in Hawaii’s tropicalenvironment, Church leaders sent “the bestresource” they have — Leland Mason, afacilities services manager at headquarters inSalt Lake City, who has helped implementand oversee the program for about 15 years.Mason and his family arrived in Laie in Apriland will remain here through most of 2011.President Orgill said Mason is here to“help us get where we need to be as quicklyas possible,” and stressed that the work he’sdoing “is not just for facilities, it’s for everyone of us. All of us are going to see a differentlevel of accountability.”In the same team meeting, Mason saidthe Church program has a five-point systemfor measuring the status of assets or showingMeet the New Service MissionariesElder Ralph & Sister Suzanne WatsonThe Watsons arrived from their home inCedar City, Utah, on September 23 to begin servingan 18-month mission at the Center. He is astructural engineer assigned to Physical Facilities,and she will assist in Protocol. This is the couple’sfirst mission together.Elder Watson, who also served in the NorthernStates (centered on Chicago) as a young man,insists he is not retired after about 40 years withhis own structural engineering business in Utah.Prior to that, he earned a master’s degree in civilengineering from the University of Utah. SisterWatson has been working as the office managerin the family business. She is also homemaker forthe couple’s five children and 17 grandchildren.In their spare time back home, Sister Watsonloves quilting and supports Elder Watson in raisingand training cutting horses. “They’re a specialbreed of quarter horses,” he said, “and extremelyfine athletes. We love to travel all over, show ourhorses and compete in various events.”“I think the Center is great and all the youngThe Watsonspeople here are fantastic. We’re also serving in oneof the student wards,” Sister Watson said. “We’reso glad to be here and just want to contribute andhelp make a difference,” he added.Elder Stew and Sister Sandra BriskinThe Briskins, who are from a wilderness areanear Troy, Montana, arrived October 23 to beginserving an 18-month mission. He is assigned toContinued on page 6d e c e m b e r 2 0 1 0

New assets management system...More than 1,000 volunteers, at the rateof 200–300 per night, helped put on the 2010Haunted Lagoon (photo by Mike Foley)Special Events:A ‘Haunted’ hit, 2011By the numbers, approximately 37,000guests enjoyed getting scared by more than1,000 volunteers as well as the usual assortmentof creepy employees during the PCC’sbiggest 2010 special event — HauntedLagoon, which ran from October 1–30. Andafter all the screaming stopped, everybodyagrees this year’s third annual floating spookalley was the best yet.Fans interviewed in exit surveys usuallysaid they had a favorite scare. For many, thenew laser vortex in the Hale Aloha add-onwas weirdly effective, others “enjoyed” thestartling surprises that literally climbed outof the lagoon. Then there were the killerclowns, headless cadavers and hair-snaggingspiders, just to name a few more of the thrills.“People don’t realize the efforts it takesto create those effects,” said PCC imagineerWilliam Mahoni, who added five minutesto this year’s event and has already startedplanning the 2011 version. In fact, you’llsometimes find him sitting by the side ofthe lagoon, “trying to visualize what wouldbe the best scare in that area, plus makingit stay within friendly boundaries of familyorientedentertainment.“We’ve tried to make it special for everyonewho comes and find the right balancefor families with little children, as well asteenagers and adults,” added PCC President& CEO Von D. Orgill. “It seems we’re rightContinued on page 5Continued from page 3clean equipment, and how often we maintainit.”• Establishing greater accountability forincreased resource utilization• Costing less: “There is less cost when wemaintain our equipment properly.”• Using common language: “As we comeunder the umbrella [of the Church], wewill have a common language in talkingwith the First Presidency and the PresidingBishopric.”• Utilizing headquarters staff for implementation,such as Mason and others at Churchheadquarters.• Preparing for the possibility of futureexpansion.Mason further said cost, quality andtimeliness “are also key factors for success”as we implement:• Cleanliness standards: “They have beenfinished and posted.”• Maintenance standards: Completed.• Replacement and improvement standards:Completed.• Performance measurements: “You have awonderful performance matrix in place.”• Asset management tools: In process.• Project management processes: In process,including bidding, development, writingcontracts, etc.• Capacity and production schedules: Inprocess. “You cannot improve on that whichyou do not measure. So, you have to measureyour people; you need to know what they aredoing. The key is to be constantly monitoringand making sure your people are performingwhere they need to perform.” These also helpdetermine the number of employees neededto accomplish objectives.• Annual plan process: To be submitted toChurch headquarters.Mason also said the need to be betterorganized not only applies to our work, “it’simportant in our own lives. As we organizeourselves personally, we bring the Spirit intoour lives, that will be demonstrated in ourwork habits and our work environment.”“We stress that, because if our own homesand lives are in balance with the Lord, wewill be able to utilize the gifts, talents andabilities that we have built in our homes intoour workplace.”Mason does as he says. For example, eventhough his family lives in a rental home,he washes the windows and air conditionercoils weekly with water “because of the saltyair. Changing your filters and cleaning yourcoils are all part of extending the life of yourequipment.” The same practices apply tocars and yards. “I should take care of andmaintain everything I own,” he said. “It’s thesame with our bodies: Eat properly. Get agood night’s rest.”“If I live in an environment that’s a ‘5’constantly on the scale, I learn to ignore whatshould be a ‘2’. I let it slide. Not only that,but a clean environment is a pleasure to workin,” he said.“There can be substantial cost-savingsgoing into this program, because you cansave the life of the equipment by maintainingit. It will last much longer.”“Some of the areas at the Center are alreadyimproving, using current manpower,”he continued. “We’ve still got a long ways togo, but we are turning this ‘mega-ship’: It’sgoing to take a little time, but we will getthere and we’ll be headed in the right direction.”Mason recognized that “change is noteasy for everyone, but the people here arewilling to do whatever we ask. They needsome guidance, direction, and tools in placeto make sure we’re getting the best qualityfor the money we’re spending. That’s thedirection we’re taking this.”“With the help of the Lord, this willwork,” Mason said. “Accountability is thekey to the whole thing. We have to do ourpart. As the employees know what’s expectedof them, they will achieve it. Their hearts arein the right place. They want to be successful.”i m u a p o l e n i s i a

A Physical Facilities crew puts up new tents in the Marquesas village. (photo by Mike Foley)Gateway renovations link to Marquesas projectThough basically on opposite ends of thePCC, the nearly completed renovations onthe Marquesas compound tie into plans tooverhaul The Gateway.Orlin Clements, PCC Director of PhysicalFacilities, explained his crews have beenworking on a total renovation of the Marquesanvillage: “It’s been relandscaped, the hutshave been reinforced and rethatched. We’vealso renovated the waterfall and made theaccess to the lookout ADA-compliant.”Clements said the Physical FacilitiesDepartment is also finishing a major lightingproject in the Pacific Theater, “but westill have a lot of electrical work to completebehind the scenes. We’re also renovating thetheater snack shop and creating an area forthe preparation of deelites.”In addition, he said crews are replacingsidewalks and making other structural improvementsin some of the villages.n January 15, 21st Annual MoanikealaHula Festival: This yearly tribute to theCenter’s first kumu hula, Aunty Sally WoodNaluai, has evolved from a keiki hula contestinto a large-scale hoike for or exhibitionfor all ages. Recent festivals have includedgroups from Japan.n April 30, Lei Day Celebration andCompetition: The PCC annually observes“May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii.”n May 11–14, 19th Annual World FireknifeChampionship: Every year the bestfireknife dancers in the world come to theCenter to make a claim on the title. The annualHigh School Samoan Cultural ArtsFestival is also held in conjunction with thisevent on the morning of the 14th.n July, Annual Te Mahana Hiro‘a OTahiti: The date of Center’s solo dancecompetition is to be confirmed.“In the long-term, we’re going to use thisarea for special catering and events, but theimmediate need is to move our Gatewaydiners there, our Ambassadors to the HaleOhana and the Super Ambassadors to theHale Kuai, so we can begin renovating theGateway building,” Clements said. “Thoseactions will take place right after the first ofthe new year.”He added that plans for the Gatewaycall for a “total renovation of the entirefacility,” including removing the mezzanineand elevated seating, adding new entranceporticos, moving all the buffet lines to therear of the building “so there will be no crosstrafficbetween the servers and the guests,”and making other improvements.“We’re turning it into a multi-purposefacility so, for example, we might hold concerts,dances, a cooking show, receptions ormeetings in there,” Clements continued. “Itcan very easily be reconfigured.” He addedthat the Gateway project is expected to takeapproximately six months to complete.Special events...Continued from page 4on the mark, and we’re very pleased with thereaction we’re getting from everyone.”“Part of what makes this special isfamilies, whether they’re working behind thescenes to help put the Haunted Lagoon on,or whether it’s families going around in thecanoe together. We just want to create an opportunityfor families to have fun together,”President Orgill added.“We’re also very appreciative of thecommunity,” said Raymond Magalei, PCCDirector of Marketing. “A lot of them havebeen pounding on our doors, wanting toparticipate. It’s wonderful and exciting to seethem here. This is a tradition that we hopewill go on for years to come.”2011 PCC Special EventsThe Center has set the following SpecialEvents details for 2011:n August, 12th Annual Te ManahuaCompetition: The date of the Center’s yearlyMaori song and dance is to be confirmed.n October 1–31, 4th annual “HauntedLagoon”: The Laie Lady and her scary associatesWILL BE BACK!New PCC products...PCC In-Center locations and gift shopsare offering some new items for sale:Keali‘i Haverly, PCC Director of In-CenterMarketing, reported that the new “Ha”night show souvenir booklet ($10) is sellingvery well; and Susan Kunz, Event NetworkStore Director reported the Mahealani GiftShop has a new line of hand-thrown pottery“that is hand-painted with designs unique tothe Polynesian Cultural Center.”Kunz said the gift shops are also carryingnew lines of watches, men’s accessories,Japanese washi (origami) jewelry, PCC logoblankets a low-cost hoodie sweatshirts.d e c e m b e r 2 0 1 0