LIST: Pan-Pacific Festival to make grand return after 5-year pause

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - The popular Pan-Pacific Festival is gearing up for a grand return to Honolulu.

After a five-year hiatus, organizers are excited to announce the festival is slated for June 7 to 9. It will be a weekend filled with diverse cultural events at various locations from Ala Moana to Waikiki.

Thousands of performers and festival goers from Japan and other countries are drawn to Oahu for the event. It’s a chance to showcase and share traditions, culture and art with other nations.

“We are thrilled to be back after a five-year hiatus to kick off summer with Hawai’i’s first matsuri,” said Yusuke Komoriya, President of the Pan-Pacific Festival Foundation. “The festival has evolved over the years and is meant to symbolize bringing cultures from around the PanPacific together to celebrate our global community with performances from both local and Japanese artists ranging from taiko to hula.”

In addition to hula performances at Ala Moana Centerstage and the Kuhio Beach Hula Mound, there will also be a Ho’olaule’a and bon dance tied into the festival. The event culminates with the Pan-Pacific Parade on Sunday June 9.

For a full schedule of events, click here.

Organizers are also seeking volunteers for the event. Anyone interested in helping out should email volunteer@panpacificfestival.org.