Save the date — the Hawaiʻi United Okinawa Association’s 43rd annual Okinawan Festival is coming up Saturday, Aug. 30 and Sunday, Aug. 31 at Hawaiʻi Convention Center (1801 Kalākaua Ave.).
The festival is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 31 (early admission starts at 9 a.m. on both days). In honor of the 125th anniversary of Okinawan immigration to Hawaiʻi, this year’s celebration is expected to be even more festive.
Early admission tickets will be available for pre-sale purchase online starting Friday, Aug. 8 at 8 a.m. HST. Two-day ticket packages will only be available for pre-sale purchase online. Pre-sale quantities are limited.
Single-day early admission costs $15 per adult ($10 for individuals ages 65 years and older; children ages 12 years and under have free admission). Two-day early admission — valid for early admission on Aug. 30 and 31 — costs $25 per adult ($15 for individuals ages 65 years and older, children ages 12 years and under have free admission).
General admission tickets will still be available for purchase at the door on the day of the festival. Single-day general admission tickets costs $10 per adult ($5 for individuals ages 65 years and older, children ages 12 years and under have free admission). A two-day general admission ticket costs $16 per adult ($8 for individuals ages 65 years and older, children ages 12 years and under have free admission).
Festival activities include food and cultural traditions, including live entertainment (10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 30, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 31) and a bon dance. The bon dance is from 5:30 to 9 p.m. on Aug. 30 and admission to the bon dance is free (no ticket needed). Select festival booths will be open during the bon dance.
Last year’s festival featured a variety of local comfort food and Okinawan favorites, including andagi, champuru (stir-fried vegetables) plates, andadogs (hot dogs dipped in andagi batter and deep fried), Okinawan soba, yakitori bento, pigs feet soup and more.
Flat-rate parking at Hawaiʻi Convention Center will cost $15 with no in-and-out privileges, and the parking lot will be open from 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Other parking options include the Civic Center Municipal Parking Lot — parking is free and there will be shuttles to the Convention Center (tickets can be purchased for a return trip to the Civic Center) — and the Pan Am Building. The latter features a $6 flat rate for eight hours; the Pan Am Building is a 5 to 10 minute walk from the Convention Center.
For updates and more information, visit okinawanfestival.com.
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Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
