Your Insider Guide to the 2024 Pan-Pacific Festival

Photo: Courtesy of Pan-Pacific Festival

After a five-year hiatus since 2019, the Pan-Pacific Festival is returning on Friday, June 7, through Sunday, June 9, with a full-fledged three days of taiko, hula, music, food and a finale parade. Held at various locations on the island, including Ala Moana and Waikīkī, the free event brings together talented performers from Japan and local musicians and artists.

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

Click to the information you want to explore:

• What It Is
• What to Eat at the Ho‘olaule‘a
• Schedule
• Where to Park for Waikīkī Events
• Tips

Photo: Courtesy of Pan-Pacific Festival

What It Is

The very first Pan-Pacific Festival—known as “The Matsuri in Hawai‘i” back then—took place in 1980 to share traditional Japanese culture with the local community. What took place only in Waikiki grew and expanded throughout the years to include more locations, other cultures and a much larger audience.

This year, the festival kicks off on Friday, June 7, with performances at Ala Moana Centerstage, hula performances at the Kūhiō Beach hula mound and the Pan-Pacific Ho‘olaule‘a and Bon Dance.

The festivities and performances continue throughout the weekend and culminate with a finale parade on Sunday evening, June 9. One of the main events is the Pan-Pacific Ho‘olaule‘a on Friday night, held on Kalākaua Ave., with stages with both local and international groups and a Bon Dance Tower near Ka‘iulani Ave. The Nā Hōkū Stage will showcase Hawai‘i’s local artists and nominees for the coveted Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards. Over at the Moana Surfrider Stage, attendees can enjoy a Dance Fest with Show-hey of RADIO FISH making a guest appearance.

All events are free and open to the public.

SEE ALSO: O‘ahu Bon Dance Schedule 2024

Photo: Courtesy of Pan-Pacific Festival

What to Eat at the Ho‘olaule‘a

Foodies can partake in popular Japanese festival food like takoyaki, wagyu skewers and Hokkaido ice cream as well as local favorites like lumpia, corn on the cob and ‘ahi bowls.

Photo: Courtesy of Pan-Pacific Festival

Schedule

*This schedule is tentative and subject to change.

Friday, June 7

Performing Arts Showcase – Ala Moana Centerstage, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

20th Annual Pan-Pacific Hula Festival – Kūhiō Beach, Hula Mound, 5:30 to 10 p.m.

Pan-Pacific Ho‘olaule‘a – on Kalākaua Ave. from Seaside Avenue to Uluniu Ave., 7 to 10 p.m.

Saturday, June 8

Performing Arts Showcase – Ala Moana Centerstage, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and International Marketplace, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

20th Annual Pan-Pacific Hula Festival – Kūhiō Beach, Hula Mound, 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Sunday, June 9

Performing Arts Showcase – Ala Moana Centerstage, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Pan-Pacific Parade – from Fort DeRussy Park to Kapi‘olani Park, 5 to 7 p.m.

20th Annual Pan-Pacific Hula Festival – Kūhiō Beach, Hula Mound, 7 to 9 p.m.

A detailed performance schedule and the Ho‘olaule‘a schedule and map will be posted in early June, so check panpacificfestival.org for updates.

Photo: Courtesy of Pan-Pacific Festival

Where to Park for Waikīkī Events

The festival organizers recommend the following locations for parking:

• Aston at the Waikīkī Banyan
• Aston Waikīkī Beach Hotel
• Honolulu Zoo
• Hyatt Centric Waikīkī Beach
• International Market Place
• Ohana Waikīkī East
• Sheraton Princess Ka‘iulani
• Waikīkī Parking Garage (Ross Dress for Less)
• Royal Hawaiian Center
• Waikīkī Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
• Waikīkī Shopping Plaza

SEE ALSO: Where to Park in Waikīkī

Tips

• The parking lots fill up fast for the festival. Arrive early so you have ample time to find parking. Or take a rideshare like Uber or Lyft if you don’t want to worry about parking.
• For the parade on Kalākaua Ave., consider bringing mats or fold-up chairs to sit on as you watch.
• There won’t be any porta-potties at the parade or ho‘olaule‘a, but there are public restrooms at shopping malls throughout Waikīkī and at Ala Moana Center.
• Wear comfortable shoes and bring sunscreen and a hat as it can get hot.

Pan-Pacific Festival, Friday, June 7, to Sunday, June 9, panpacificfestival.org, @panpacificfestival