Polynesian Cultural Center will host football hall of fame
Former Hawaii football player and NFL standout Jesse Sapolu gave a thumbs up during pre-game festivities on Saturday, Sept. 1, 2012, outside the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles.
The newly established Polynesian Football Hall of Fame already has a home. The Polynesian Cultural Center was announced as the permanent site during today’s press conference at the center attended by five of the seven inductees of the inaugural 2014 class.
The PCC, which is celebrating its 50th year, expects the exhibit to open in January 2015. It is scheduled to be located in the are between the center’s main entrance and the Pacific Theater.
"When we officially established the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame six months ago, the decision to choose Hawaii as our home was easy, Jesse Sapolu, co-founder and chairman of the PFHF, said in a statement. "It was important that our home be reflective of the culture and people of Polynesia, and for us, there was only one place, the Polynesian Cultural Center."
The inaugural class was formally introduced at Wednesday’s enshrinement banquet at the Hawaii Convention Center. Inductees are Kurt Gouveia, Olin Kreutz, Kevin Mawae, Jack Thompson and Ken Niumatalolo as well as the late Junior Seau and Herman Wedemeyer.
The PCC and the hall’s board of directors also plan to develop youth and community education programs and initiatives. The board is comprised of Vai Sikahema, Troy Polamalu, June Jones, Reno Mahe and co-founders Ma’a Tanuvasa and Sapolu.
