Celebrating 30 Years of Cultural Exchange in Hawaii

05-20-2009

The 2009 Pan-Pacific Festival 

 

HONOLULU, Hawaii (2009)—The Pan-Pacific Festival, one of the oldest intercultural festivals will be celebrating 30 years of promoting relationships between Hawai‘i and the Pan-Pacific region. In addition, this year’s Pan-Pacific Festival has been officially sanctioned by the Hawai‘i 50^th Anniversary of Statehood Commission. It has also been officially sanctioned by the United Nations as a “Friends of the United Nations.” event.

 

From June 5 to 7, a roster of very notable Hawaiian entertainers along with thousands of musicians, artists and dancers from Pacific Rim countries come to the island of O‘ahu, Hawai‘i, to present a weekend showcase of entertainment, celebration of drums, dance, pageantry, parades, music, traditions and food.  Since its inception, the mission of the Pan-Pacific Festival has been to showcase cultural diversity and overcome language and geographic barriers through shared interests.  Most events are free. 

 

The following are highlights of the Pan-Pacific Festival on O‘ahu:

 

Pan-Pacific Ho‘olaule‘a – The highlight of the Festival! On Friday, June 5, 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Waikīkī’s famous main street, Kalākaua Avenue, will be closed to cars and packed with pedestrians for this ho‘olaule‘a (street party). There will be seven stages filled with cultural performances including hula, traditional Japanese dance and taiko drummers. In addition, food booths, arts and crafts and multi-cultural exhibits will make this an evening to remember.  Headlining the entertainment for the evening at the ho‘olaule‘a’s main stage will be Kaumakaiwa “Lopaka” Kanaka‘ole, an olapa (dancer) of  Hālau O Kekuki and multi Na Hōkū Hanohano (Hawai‘i’s version of the Grammys) award winner.  

 

As an added bonus for its 30^th Anniversary, come and see the talents of Merrie Monarch Hula Festival winners Hālau Na Lei Kaholoku, the legendary Lim Family featuring Nalani Lim Yap and special guests Churamana, a popular musical group straight from Okinawa. The Islands Concert will be held at the Sunset on the Beach stage at Queen’s Surf in Waikiki.  Expect to see all performers sharing the stage at the same time for a very special performance.

 

Hawaiian Islands Concert – featuring Hālau ‘O Kekuhi, the cultural anchor of the Edith Kanaka‘ole Foundation and guided by Kumu Hula Nalani Kanaka‘ole and Hālau Na Mamo ‘O Pu`uanahulu led by world renown Kumu Hula Sonny Ching, happening on Saturday, June 6, at 7 p.m. at the Sunset on the Beach Stage.

 

Pan-Pacific Parade – On Sunday, June 7, 5:00 p.m. visitors and kama‘aina (residents) will line Kalākaua Avenue to enjoy this colorful parade. An eclectic mix of performers, taiko drummers, modern and traditional dancers and colorful floats will march through Waikīkī at sunset.  There will be a variety of musical entertainment from Japan and the mainland U.S. along with local ethnic groups participating in the parade as well.

 

Weekend festivities will also include a performing arts showcase of cultural demonstrations from the Pan-Pacific region.  For more information and a detailed schedule of events please visit www.pan-pacific-festival.com. The 30^th Annual Pan-Pacific Festival is sponsored in part by the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority.

 

 

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