Mangia! The fifth annual Festa Italiana Hawaiʻi, which was previously held in the fall, is returning March 21 and 22.
Its goal is to celebrate both Hawaiʻi and Italy by providing a variety of authentic Italian and Italian-inspired experiences offered by both, Hawaiʻi and Italian restaurants and businesses, according to Kira Dilonno, one of the event organizers.
“The last time we had Festa Italiana was in September 2023,” she says. “We realized it would be better to move it to the spring — it’s spring break, and it’s a family event.”
The festival is a two-day event: The Passaporto Italiano VIP experience takes place at Velocity Honolulu on Friday, March 21 from 6 to 9:30 p.m., and is a ticketed event for individuals ages 21 years and over.
“The Passaporto event is a unique event because every attendee gets a passport, and you’re walking around to each food station,” Dilonno says. “Each station features a different top-tier Italian restaurant with a dish from a different region in Italy. The idea is that you have this passport to Italy and getting your stamp along the way at each region. You get to try all the different flavors from the different regions in Italy, which makes it a well-rounded, fun experience.”
Three ticket options are available for the VIP event. The classico ticket ($175) includes nine food and dessert dishes from the participating restaurant vendors, along with unlimited Italian wines, beers and craft Italian cocktails.
The mezza classe ticket ($215) features the same inclusions as the classico ticket, plus valet parking, a separate check-in line, access to a VIP area and ample unreserved seating.
“In the VIP area within the event, we are doing tray-passed prosecco and some specialty bar offerings, along with more seating for that area, since the event is a free-flowing event,” Dilonno says.
The prima classe for two ($550) ticket, which is bought in a set of two, is the top-tier offering and is available in limited quantities. In addition to the benefits included in classico and mezza classe tiers, attendees can enjoy early entry (5:30 p.m.), a grazing board from Fig & Ginger, a reserved table, food table service, and a special wine tasting with a master sommelier from Banville Merchants.
The featured restaurants (and dishes) at the VIP event include:
Arancino at The Kāhala: rigatoni alla carbonara
Bernini Honolulu: Brasato al Barolo (braised beef in a Barolo wine sauce)
Fig & Ginger Honolulu: caprese salad
Margotto Hawaiʻi: Vitello tonnato (sliced, slow-cooked veal paired with an Italian sauce and pickled radicchio)
MW Restaurant: Truffle arancini
Quiora: Porchetta crostini
Taormina Sicilian Cuisine: Pumpkin gnocchi ai quattro formaggi
Il Gelato Hawaiʻi: Gianduia (hazelnut) gelato and lemon sorbetto
MW Restaurant: Tiramisu (Kō Hana Rum, Lāʻie vanilla, Kona coffee)
Meanwhile, the street festival — which is free and open to the public — is Saturday, March 22, from 4 to 9:30 p.m. at Mother Waldron Park in Kakaʻako.
“At the street festival, we have some more vendors this year, and we will have some new vendors that we haven’t had in the past, so that’s really exciting,” Dilonno says. “Another thing that’s new is we’re expanding the footprint — because we have more participating restaurants, we are expanding our area and offering more games and fun activities for families in the park, as well.”
The street festival will feature vendors offering authentic Italian and Italian-inspired dishes, along with Italian wines, Italian and local beers, and traditional spirits for purchase. Attendees can look forward to live entertainment, street performers, and Italian-inspired games and numerous photo opportunities.
Featured food vendors at the street festival include Allegrini Mozzarella, Arancino, Aroma Italia, Asato Family Shop, Bambino’s, Brick Fire Tavern, Cialoha Italian Sodas, Fig & Ginger Honolulu, Il Gelato Hawaiʻi, ‘ili ili Cash & Carry, La Bettola, Little Sparrow, Mangiamo by 604, Mega-Load Burgers, Mamma Mia Olay, Onda Pasta & Provisions, Pitch Sports Bar & Grill and Pizza Mamo.
There will also be luxury Italian cars — by Ferrari, Maserati and Lamborghini — on display, and live paintings on-site by local artists. Attendees can also look forward to entertainment by Ballet Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi Opera Theatre and Mango Season Band.
“Hawaiʻi Opera Theatre was last featured at our 2019 Festa; we’re excited about having them back,” Dilonno says. “We’ll have performances by the opera at the VIP event, but they’re also going to be doing street performances and on the stage, of course.
“Hawaiʻi International Film Festival is our non-profit partner,” she adds. “We partner with them on Italian cinema; we’ll have a tent up in the park that will be showing family-friendly Italian films that people can come, sit down and watch throughout the night.”
Validated parking ($5) for the street festival is available at Waterfront Plaza; visit the Festa Italiana info booth for validation.
“The festival is such an incredible experience,” Dilonno says. “I love things that get families together outdoors.”
CONTACT
Festa Italiana Hawaiʻi
festaitalianahawaii.com
Instagram: @festaitaliana
Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
