Iconic Waikiki Polynesian spectaculars from Tihati Production Ltd. at the Moana Hotel and the Princess Kaiulani will come to an end on Tuesday after four decades at those venues, relocating in February to the Pacific Beach Hotel.

Tihati was founded by Jack and Cha Thompson, who in the formative years of show business in Waikiki danced hula and performed the Samoan knife dance as members of early Polynesian shows.

In addition to the move, a next generation of leadership will rise in the Tihati ohana, with company President Afatia Thompson, 34, and Vice President Misty Tufono, 40, stepping out from the shadows of their parents’ success to assume the helm.

"It’s the end of one era and the beginning of another," said Cha Thompson.

From humble beginnings, Tihati has emerged as the most prolific producer of South Seas extravaganzas, with 12 shows on Oahu, Maui, Kauai and Hawaii island employing 900 dancers, musicians, singers, technicians, warehousemen, choreographers and Polynesian dance instructors.

As Tihati’s show "Creation" ends today at the Princess Kaiulani and the company prepares for the Feb. 3 launch of the new "Te Moana Nui" at the Pacific Beach, there is a mix of sadness and excitement at the changing of the guard. It will be the company’s 13th production.

The relocation from the 350-seat Princess Kaiulani Ainahau Ballroom to the 900- to 1,000-capacity Pacific Beach Grand Ballroom is a matter ofsurvival but reflects tremendous growth potential. Tihati will continue to produce and book entertainment for Starwood/Sheraton hotels, as well as for other brands statewide such as Hilton and Marriott.

But the company learned months ago that the anticipated renovation of the Princess Kaiulani beginning next summer would not include a showroom or performing space for a show like Tihati’s.

The relocation is expected to invigorate the Diamond Head end of Kalakaua Avenue, which has never had showroom traffic. It will be the Pacific Beach’s first continuing production in its seventh-floor Grand Ballroom. The partnership includes undisclosed plans to build a new on-site showroom designed to suit the production needs of the Polynesian spectacle.

"We’re thrilled about having the Tihati show move to the Pacific Beach," said Patrick Faas, food and beverage director. "It’s important to keep their tradition alive in Waikiki specifically, since there are so few quality shows anymore. It will be dynamic for our guests to have a theatrical portrayal of the original story of the islands in our Grand Ballroom. And we take pride in bringing the spotlight and edge to this side of Waikiki; it’s the first time we’ll have a show like this, and the driving motivation was that we saw this as an opportunity to do it right, provide an entertaining and educational show that our visitors will like, love and bring home with them. Tihati has invested in our community for so long; their passion is phenomenal. And we support them."

Tihati has the longest, continuously running show in Waikiki, and the general manager of the Princess Kaiulani was disappointment about the end of its association with the hotel.

"I believe we’ve been partners for at least 39 years, and I’m so sorry to see them go," said Fred Orr. "They’ve always been family, the best people to work with, the best product (Polynesian spectacular) in Waikiki. While they still have a show at the Royal Hawaiian, they had to look to their future; in Waikiki, it’s hard to find a showroom these days. We will always have fond memories of our partnership."

Afatia Thompson’s strength is in arranging music for the company’s productions, which explore and exhibit authentic cultural songs and dances of Hawaii, Samoa, Tahiti, New Zealand, Fiji and Rarotonga. Tufono excels in song compositions and scripting the lore and spectrum of the South Pacific nations.

"We have the privileged opportunity to enlighten guests who visit Waikiki each year," said Tufono. "We are island people. Where some may perceive the vast Pacific dividing hundreds of volcanic islands, we consider it the ocean that connects all Polynesian peoples. It is evident in languages, arts, stories throughout Hawaii and the South Pacific. Our medium is our storytelling, our songs and dances. Our objective is to bring the highest level of quality and professionalism in performance so that our visitors leave with a broader understanding of who we are as people of the Pacific as well as enjoy an unforgettable experience."

Both Thompson heirs worked up the ranks of Tihati, learning all aspects of the business in order to take over the reins.

"By the grace of God, Tihati in 2014 will be celebrating 45 years in the entertainment business," said patriarch Jack "Tihati" Thompson. "I have planned all along to pass on the torch to my son Afatia, and my daughter Misty; Cha will stay on to oversee the business while Afa and Misty concentrate in keeping our productions fresh and exciting. I am confident that they will take Tihati to another level."

Initially, new production "Te Moana Nui" will be staged from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays in a buffet dinner format, Faas said. For now, he said, the current staff can handle the traffic of patrons. "Eventually, as needed, we hope to build up to four or five nights a week," Faas said. "Then we may have to hire as the show grows."

Tihati, hailed for its spot-on costumes and music, will initially provide stage props and costumes, as well as a new LED light system to enhance the production.

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Wayne Harada writes the Show Biz column in the Today section on Sundays; he is the former entertainment editor of the Honolulu Advertiser.