The 44th annual Okinawan Festival is coming up Sept. 5 and 6 at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center. The festival will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 5 and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 6.
Renovations at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center mean this year’s festival features a modified format, and there will be no bon dance or early admission this year. Attendees can still look forward to a weekend of cultural experiences, traditional foods, music, performing arts and family activities.
Besides traditional Okinawan Festival favorites — including Okinawan soba and andagi — attendees can look forward to a special culinary collab with Prince Waikīkī. The resort will bring its popular House of Sakura experience — but with an Okinawan izakaya twist — to the Hawaiʻi Convention Center.
Prince Waikīkī executive chef Brooke Tadena will feature seven Okinawan-inspired creations at the House of Sakura pop-up. Guests can look forward to Oki nachos (Okinawan-inspired poke nachos); rafute (Okinawan-style shoyu pork) and egg; wafu rib-eye steak and watercress salad; poke and umibudo (Okinawan sea grape); tamago sando; chili crunch edamame; and A5 torched wagyu beef nigiri.
Other popular attractions like festival food booths, the Country Store, the craft gallery, and Heiwa Doori market, will be returning this year. The craft gallery will feature locally made jewelry, clothing, gifts and stationery; the Country Store will offer fresh produce, iced tea and more; and Heiwa Doori will feature specialty foods and products from Okinawa. Attendees can also trace their roots with the Okinawa Genealogical Society of Hawaiʻi, which offers access to resources for discovering Okinawan ancestry.
The festival will feature live music, martial arts demonstrations, and traditional Okinawan performing arts. Attendees can also look forward to a special performance by local entertainer Karlie G (Karlie Goya). The singer, songwriter and ukulele artist has earned a Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award for R&B Album of the Year in 2019 for her debut album, Have Fun.
Karli G’s Festival performance will feature a blend of her original music and beloved Okinawan hits.
Festivalgoers are encouraged to use the Festival’s shuttle service, as parking at Hawaiʻi Convention Center is limited during construction. Free parking is available at the Civic Center Municipal Parking Lot (access from Beretania Street); attendees can utilize the free shuttle service. The shuttle will operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sept. 5 and from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sept. 6. Festivalgoers can purchase a $5 return-trip ticket to the Civic Center parking lot at the Festival’s Information Booth.
To learn more, visit okinawanfestival.com.
Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
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