Your Guide to the 42nd Annual Pan-Pacific Festival

The Pan-Pacific Festival is set to once again bring exciting cultural performances to Honolulu and Waikīkī, from June 13 to 15. This year’s festival is the second following a five-year hiatus.

“We are thrilled to continue the tradition of bringing together cultures from around the Pan-Pacific to celebrate our global community,” says Yusuke Komoriya, president of the Pan-Pacific Festival Foundation. “The festival symbolizes unity and cultural exchange, with performances ranging from taiko to hula by both local and international artists.”

The first Pan-Pacific Festival in 1980 was known as “The Matsuri in Hawai‘i.” The three-day event was held in Waikīkī and shared Japanese culture with the local community. In succeeding years, each festival drew hundreds of people excited to celebrate Japanese music, performances, crafts and food.

The 2025 festival kicks off on Friday, with a performing arts showcase starting at Ala Moana Centerstage. The showcase continues daily through the weekend, with events also at the International Market Place.

The 21st Annual Pan-Pacific Hula Festival on Kūhiō Beach in Waikīkī will feature evening performances by O‘ahu’s own Hālau ‘O Nāpuala‘ikauika‘iu along with international hula groups.

Performances range from taiko to hula by both local and international artists.
Photo: Courtesy of Pan-Pacific Festival

Schedule

*This schedule is tentative and subject to change.

Friday, June 13

• Performing Arts Showcase: Ala Moana Centerstage, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• 21st Annual Pan-Pacific Hula Festival: Kūhiō Beach, Hula Mound, 5 to 7 p.m.
• Pan-Pacific Ho‘olaule‘a: On Kalākaua Avenue from Seaside Avenue to Uluniu Avenue, 7 to 10 p.m.

Saturday, June 14

• Performing Arts Showcase: Ala Moana Centerstage, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and International Marketplace, 12:15 to 2m.
• 21st Annual Pan-Pacific Hula Festival: Kūhiō Beach, Hula Mound, 5 to 8:30 p.m.

Sunday, June 15

• Performing Arts Showcase: Ala Moana Centerstage, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Performing Arts Showcase: International Market Place, 10:30 a.m. to 2m.
• Pan-Pacific Parade: From Fort DeRussy Park to Kapi‘olani Park, 5 to 7 p.m.
• 21st Annual Pan-Pacific Hula Festival: Kūhiō Beach, Hula Mound, 6:30 to 9 p.m.

Pan-Pacific Ho‘olaule‘a

Kalākaua Avenue from Seaside Avenue to Uluniu Avenue will close to vehicular traffic for the Pan-Pacific Ho‘olaule‘a. This open-street celebration will feature performances on multiple stages by a mix of local and international groups, showcasing the diversity of talent from across the Pacific region.

Along with retail vendors, the ho‘olaule‘a will feature a variety of culinary delights, from popular Japanese festival dishes to local favorites, providing a taste of the diverse cultures celebrated at the festival.

A bon dance tower will host one of the first bon dances on O‘ahu this year, officially kicking off obon season in Hawai‘i. During this summertime Buddhist ritual, participants honor ancestors and family members who’ve passed with music, dance and food. Although it isn’t practiced much in Japan, it remains a strong tradition in Hawai‘i.

Pan-Pacific Parade

At 5 p.m. on Sunday, the Pan-Pacific Parade starts at Fort DeRussy Park and follows Kalākaua Avenue to Kapi‘olani Regional Park. Thousands of spectators will line the street to observe hundreds of performers, both local and international, as they march down the road. The festival continues from there, with final performances at the Kūhiō Beach Hula Mound ending at 9 p.m.

Pan-Pacific Festival is partnreing with Southwest Airlines to offer special discounted fares between June 10 and 18, 2025.
Photo: Courtesy of Pan-Pacific Festival

If you plan to travel to Honolulu for the Pan-Pacific Festival, it’s partnered with Southwest Airlines to offer special discounted fares between June 10 and 18, 2025. You must book using this link (https://www.swabiz.com/air/booking/index.html?companyId=90045771) to take advantage of this promotion.

For more information and details on each event happening during the Pan-Pacific Festival, visit panpacificfestival.org.