Fire-breathing Daijayama dragon in the Waikiki Grand Parade. (Credit: Honolulu Festival)
By Staff Reports
(Honolulu)– A treasured celebration of cultural diversity for the whole family to enjoy, the Honolulu Festival returns with a full slate of music, dance, crafts, arts, special exhibits, and fireworks display presented by the people of Asia Pacific, March 3-4.
Admission to the Festival performances and exhibit display is free to everyone and being hosted at three convenient locations – Hawaii Convention Center, Ala Moana Center, and Waikiki Beach Walk – on Saturday, March 3, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday, March 4, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Following Sunday’s performances, the festivities shift to Waikiki for the Festival’s finale. The visiting performers from Asia Pacific will entertain in the Waikiki Grand Parade on Kalakaua Avenue, starting at 4:30 p.m., followed by the spectacular Nagaoka Fireworks Show making its first appearance outside of Japan to light up the skies over Waikiki Beach.
“We encourage everyone to come out and show their support for our visiting performers and celebrate the beauty of our different cultures in the Pacific Rim,” said Keiichi Tsujino, president of the Honolulu Festival Foundation. “With free admission and the variety of all there is to enjoy, the Honolulu Festival is perfect for family fun and entertainment.”
Cultural performance at Ala Moana's Center Stage. (Credit: Honolulu Festival)
Last year’s Honolulu Festival was interrupted by the tragic earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan on March 11, the eve of the Festival’s opening. While the Festival proceeded with most of its scheduled activities, more than 30 performing groups comprising more than 800 visitors from Japan had to cancel their trip to Honolulu, with the highly anticipated fireworks show from Nagaoka also canceled out of respect to the victims and their families.
Presented under the banner of “Pacific Harmony,” the theme for this year’s Honolulu Festival is “Bonding together, hand in hand.” More than 4,500 performers and visitors are coming to Hawaii from Asia Pacific, mostly Japan. Performers representing the cultures of Japan, China, Taiwan, Korea, Australia, the Philippines, Canada, Alaska, U.S. Mainland, and Hawaii will dazzle guests with their entertaining displays of music and dance.
“The Honolulu Festival is a great opportunity to celebrate our wonderful cultural traditions and share with our Pacific Rim neighbors,” said Mayor Peter Carlisle.
The international visitors coming to Hawaii for the Honolulu Festival will help boost the economy, adding an estimated $11 million in visitor spending and $1.1 million in tax revenue for the weekend of March 3-4. In addition, more than 75,000 people – both residents and visitors – are expected to enjoy the cultural performances, parade and fireworks.
“We are looking forward to welcoming the visitors for this year’s Honolulu Festival,” said Mike McCartney, president and CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority. “Every year the festival draws thousands of visitors to the Hawaiian Islands to celebrate the unique cultures that make up Asia Pacific. We are pleased to support events like the Honolulu Festival, that not only draw visitors, but highlight what makes Hawaii so special through our people, place and culture.”
David Carey, president & CEO of Outrigger Enterprises Group, noted, “The Honolulu Festival has always been a favorite event of mine because it celebrates the diversity of cultures found in Hawaii and across the Asia-Pacific region, something Outrigger has celebrated for the past 65 years. Firmly established events and activities like the Honolulu Festival excite travelers from throughout the Pacific and entice them to visit our island state. We are also proud to share the world class Waikiki Beach Walk as a major entertainment venue for the Honolulu Festival. We are looking forward to another great event, made even more special this year as we celebrate Waikiki Beach Walk’s fifth anniversary!”