Okinawan Festival returns to Honolulu without this beloved tradition

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Due to ongoing renovations at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center, organizers have announced major changes for this year’s 44th Annual Okinawan Festival.

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The festival, organized by the Hawaiʻi United Okinawa Association, will not include early admission nor the fan-favorite bon dance when it returns to the convention center Saturday, Sept. 5, and Sunday, Sept. 6.

Still, organizers say, core festival offerings will remain, including traditional foods, live music, performing arts, cultural displays, and shopping.

Festival hours will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

General admission is $10 for adults, $5 for seniors ages 65 and older, and free for children ages 12 and under. Two-day admission passes are available for $16 for adults and $8 for seniors.

New this year: izakaya-inspired pop-up

New to the festival this year is a culinary collaboration with Prince Waikiki, which will bring an Okinawan izakaya-inspired House of Sakura pop-up to the convention center.

Executive Chef Brooke Tadena will showcase seven Okinawan-inspired creations: wafu rib eye steak and watercress salad, rafute (Okinawan-style shoyu pork) and egg, Oki nachos (Okinawan-inspired poke nachos), poke and umibudo (Okinawan sea grape), tamago sando, chili crunch edamame, and A5 torched Wagyu beef nigiri.

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Entertainment and cultural workshops

The festival stage will host live music, traditional performing arts, and martial arts demonstrations. Local singer-songwriter and Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winner Karlie G is scheduled to perform a blend of Okinawan hits and original music.

At the Bunkwa Nu Shima (Village of Culture), visitors can participate in hands-on activities, including an odori (dance) class taught by Cheryl Penhart and performances by the Sunrise Family Band.

Workshops on the 500-year-old art of Okinawan bingata stencil dyeing will also be offered by Gusuku Bingata for a $25 pre-registration fee.

Festival goers can also:

Parking and shuttle information

Because parking at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center is limited due to construction, festivalgoers are encouraged to use the free shuttle service.

Free parking will be available at the Civic Center Municipal Parking Lot on Beretania Street, with a shuttle running to the convention center approximately every 15 minutes. The shuttle will operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. A $5 return-trip ticket can be purchased at the festival’s Information Booth.

Additional parking is available at the Pan Am Building and through Premium Parking, with a drop-off zone on Atkinson Drive.

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Learn more at www.okinawanfestival.com.