The Polynesian Cultural Center Leadership | An Interview with Blair Treu

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Aug 26, 2025

Blair Treu, an award-winning director known for his films like Sharing Aloha and Meet the Mormons, shares fascinating insights from his career. He discusses inspiring stories from students at the Polynesian Cultural Center, focusing on their resilience and the educational opportunities they receive. Blair emphasizes the importance of appreciation and compassion in leadership, drawing connections to principles learned through film and faith. His reflections highlight the transformative power of community and the unique challenges faced in storytelling.

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ANECDOTE

How The Project Began

Blair Treu describes getting a call from Randy Rigby and immediately connecting to the PCC story he knew.
He and Rigby focused the film on students and their symbiotic relationship with PCC and BYU–Hawaii.

INSIGHT

Selecting Stories Is The Hard Part

Treu notes there was no shortage of stories and the hard part was choosing which to tell.
He emphasizes the common thread: students from modest means who are valiant and driven to graduate debt-free.

ANECDOTE

Treu's Film Background

Blair recounts his film background from church documentaries to Meet the Mormons and Disney work.
He explains Meet the Mormons moved from a legacy theater project to a successful theatrical release and streaming run.

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Blair Treu is an award-winning director whose work includes a variety of feature films, television shows, documentaries, and commercials for over 30 years—from The Power Rangers to Chicken Soup for the Soul. The writer and director of Sharing Aloha and Meet the Mormons, he graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor’s degree in Theatre and began his career at the Walt Disney Company. More recently, Blair worked with BYUtv to create the series Real Families, Real Answers, and was a co-director of Granite Flats.

Links

Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Leading Saints community
Get movie tickets and details at sharingalohathemovie.com
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Highlights

The film Sharing Aloha, directed by Blair Treu, highlights the inspiring stories of students at the Polynesian Cultural Center and their transformative experiences. Blair shares how he became involved with the project, and discusses the unique challenges of capturing the students’ stories, emphasizing their resilience and strong family ties. The film aims to showcase the students’ journeys, illustrating how the PCC provides them with opportunities for education and personal growth.

Throughout the conversation, Blair reflects on leadership principles learned from working with the students and the PCC staff. He highlights the importance of appreciation and compassion in leadership, drawing parallels to church leadership.

00:01:52 – Introducing Sharing Aloha
Introduction to the film “Sharing Aloha” and its connection to the Polynesian Cultural Center.

00:03:44 – The Genesis of Sharing Aloha
Blair Treu discusses how the project came to be and the inspiration behind it.

00:04:55 – The Abundance of Stories
The challenge of selecting which stories to tell from the many available.

00:06:47 – Blair Treu’s Background
Blair shares his experience and previous projects in film and media.

00:08:44 – The Polynesian Cultural Center
Discussion about the PCC and its significance in the film.

00:10:43 – Focus on Student Stories
The decision to center the film on the students’ experiences rather than the PCC’s history.

00:12:14 – Insights on the YSA Demographic
What Blair learned about the Young Single Adult demographic through the film.

00:13:37 – Cultural Connections
The importance of family and community in Polynesian culture.

00:16:42 – The Film’s Format
Comparison of “Sharing Aloha” to “Meet the Mormons” in terms of storytelling.

00:18:18 – Funding and Support
Details on how the film was funded and its relationship with the PCC.

00:20:38 – Addressing Criticism
Discussion on the misconceptions and criticisms surrounding the PCC.

00:22:39 – The Value of Work
The benefits students receive from working at the PCC compared to other jobs.

00:24:36 – Leadership in Performance
Insights into how the PCC manages its performances and trains students.

00:30:14 – Leadership Lessons from Film Production
Blair shares leadership principles learned from directing the film.

00:35:16 – The Importance of Appreciation
The significance of recognizing and valuing team members in leadership.

00:38:53 – Final Thoughts on the Film
Encouragement to support the film and its impact on the PCC.

00:40:41 – Personal Growth Through the Project
How working on “Sharing Aloha” has strengthened Blair’s faith and understanding of community.

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