After a five-year hiatus, the Pan-Pacific Festival returns to Honolulu this weekend! The three-day cultural event in Waikiki celebrates the cultures of Hawai’i, Japan, and other countries around the Pacific. However, with the festivities come major disruptions, especially those driving into and out of Waikiki.
Founded as Matsuri in Hawai’i in 1980 as a cultural exchange festival between Hawai’i and Japan, the event was renamed the Pan-Pacific Festival in 1996 to reflect the increasing diversity of its participants. Today, the Pan-Pacific Festival still has strong Japanese influences, as it includes Japanese customs, such as a bon dance, but it has grown to include other cultures from around the Pacific.
Naturally, the three-day festival has become a cornerstone attraction during the summer, attracting visitors and locals alike. However, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic and, later, Japan’s restrictive travel rules, we haven’t had the festival for quite some time. Of course, that’s changing soon as the Pan-Pacific Festival returns to Honolulu this weekend. That said, there are things you need to know about the festival, regardless of if you plan to attend or not.
Pan-Pacific Festival Returns to Honolulu
For its 41st year, the Pan-Pacific Festival returns to Honolulu on June 7 and runs through June 9. Many of these events will be in malls, so they won’t be all that disruptive to the general public. However, some large-scale events will cause major disruptions. But before we get into that, let’s take a look at the event’s schedule.
- Friday, June 7
- Performing arts showcase at Ala Moana Center Stage from 11 am to 2 pm
- 20th Annual Pan-Pacific Hula Festival at the Kuhio Beach Hula Mound from 5:30 pm to 10 pm
- Pan-Pacific Ho’olaule’a along Kalakaua Avenue from 7 pm to 10 pm
- Saturday, June 8
- Performing arts showcase
- Ala Moana Center Stage from 10 am to 6 pm
- International Marketplace from 10:30 am to 2 pm
- 20th Annual Pan-Pacific Hula Festival at the Kuhio Beach Hula Mound from 4:30 pm to 9 pm
- Performing arts showcase
- Sunday, June 9
- Performing arts showcase at Ala Moana Center Stage from 10 am to 2 pm
- Pan-Pacific Parade from Fort DeRussy to Kapi’olani Park from 5 pm to 7 pm
- 20th Annual Pan-Pacific Hula Festival at the Kuhio Beach Hula Mound from 7 pm to 9 pm
Road Closures
As you can see, the two events that are going to cause the most disruption as the Pan-Pacific Festival returns to Honolulu are also the two most popular ones – the Ho’olaule’a and the parade. Of those two, the Ho’olaule’a will attract the largest crowds and will have the most significant impact. You see, despite what the schedule says, closures will occur outside of those times, as time is needed to set up and breakdown. Specifically, Kalakaua Ave will see some lane closures from 12 pm on Friday, June 7, with full closures beginning at 5:30 pm and estimated to run through 12:30 am. The stretch of Kalakaua impacted is from Seaside Ave. to Uluniu Ave.
As you can see in the map above, the Kalakaua Ave closure is occurring in the heart of Waikiki. Luckily, the only hotels that will be completely cut off are the Outrigger Waikiki Beach and the Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber. You won’t be able access the Westin Moana Surfrider‘s porte-cochere, but self-parking at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani should still be reachable. But even if your hotel is still accessible, traffic is going to be atrocious. I encourage everyone to stay off Kalakaua as much as possible during this time.
That said, from 7 pm to 8:30 pm that same day, the Special Olympics Hawaii Troy Barboza Torch Run is also scheduled to take place, which will cause temporary closures along Kapahulu Ave, Waialae Ave, University Ave, and King St, among others, during this time.
Another event not connected to the Pan-Pacific Festival occurring at the same time is the Kamehameha Day (June 11) Floral Parade, which is taking place on Saturday, June 8. This will see a MASSIVE closure from Richards St in downtown Honolulu along King St, Ala Moana Ave, and Kalakaua Ave, ending at Kapi’olani Park from 8:30 am to about 1 pm. This will impact a huge number of major hotels, including the ones mentioned above, the Royal Hawaiian, Sheraton Waikiki, Halekulani, Halepuna, and Embassy Suites Waikiki, among others.
For those of you scheduled to arrive at any hotels impacted by the above events, I urge you to get in touch with your hotel now to determine alternative access/accommodation arrangements. For those scheduled to depart during this time, I suggest getting out of the area before the closures begin.
Pan-Pacific Festival Returns to Honolulu, Final Thoughts
I think it’s great that the Pan-Pacific Festival returns to Honolulu. I’ve never attended the Ho’olaule’a, but it looks like a good time! However, in my younger years, I’ve participated several times in the parade with my high school’s marching band. It’s hot AF, especially in the uniform they used to make us wear. But, at least it’s a short parade!
At any rate, if you plan on attending, be sure to do your homework and plan your visit accordingly. Also, be prepared to walk to avoid being stuck idling in your car a lot. For those of you with stays impacted by any of these events, good luck!