The Honolulu Festival will cap its 20th anniversary next month with a 20-minute Nagaoka Fireworks show over Waikiki.
The March 8-9 event, which features music, dance, crafts, arts, exhibits and special presentations from Asia and the Pacific, is expected to attract 5,000 participants.
More than 150 groups from the Pacific Rim and Hawaii are expected for the festival, which since its inception in 1995 has generated an estimated $175 million in visitor spending during a traditionally off-peak travel period. The free event will be held at three venues: the Hawai‘i Convention Center, Waikiki Beach Walk and Ala Moana Center.
The weekend of cultural festivities also will include a parade at 4:30 p.m. March 9 along Kalakaua Avenue before the fireworks show, which begins at 8:30 p.m.
Among the special events is a Friendship Gala that will take place the night before the weekend festivities. The event will showcase cultural entertainment by Honolulu Festival performers and cuisine from Oahu’s top restaurants. The event, which will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the convention center, benefits the Honolulu Festival Foundation’s educational and cultural programs in Hawaii. Tickets are $90 per person, $70 for under 21 and free for 6 and under.
Other events include the Honolulu Rainbow Ekiden (honoluluekiden.com), a 5-kilometer relay race along Diamond Head that will start at 9 a.m. March 8 at Kapiolani Park and feature teams of three to five runners; and a free one-hour concert featuring ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro that will be held March 9 beginning at 3 p.m. at the Waikiki Beach Walk.
There also will be free cultural performances and exhibits on March 8 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on March 9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hawai‘i Convention Center, Waikiki Beach Walk and Ala Moana Center.
The Honolulu Festival is supported by the Honolulu Festival Foundation, the Hawaii Tourism Authority and corporate sponsors.
For a complete list of the events schedule, go to honolulufestival.com.
