20th Annual Honolulu Festival
Every March, the Islands of Hawaii come together for crafts, dancing, art demonstrations, educational programs, parades and games in a colorful three-day celebration of culture and harmony on Oahu. This festival is known as the Honolulu Festival, and it celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2014 on March 7th through 9th. The peace-promoting event fosters understanding and cooperation between the people of Hawaii and the Pacific Rim, including representation from countries like Japan, Australia, Tahiti, the Philippines, Taiwan, Korea, and of course, the United States through Hawaii. Most programming is free to the public, so attending this globally significant event is easy for everyone. A visit to the Honolulu Festival is the perfect addition to any Hawaiian vacation. This year, the schedule includes eight hours of crafts and performances on Saturday and Sunday, featuring gymnastic feats by Dance Junction Hawaii Utopian dreamlike artwork by aboriginal artists from Australia. On Sunday, a special benefit concert for those affected by the 2011 Japan earthquake will showcase Jake Shimabukuro, a world renowned ukelele virtuoso. 
For the first time ever, the festival will include the “Honolulu Rainbow Ekiden” a traditional Japanese relay race on Saturday morning. Paricipants will run around Waikiki with ribbon leis for race sashes, embracing aspects of Hawaiian culture. Both days include an Enchini Corner, an Anime Corner, and a Craft Fair for purchasing the unique work of artisans around the globe. The extravaganza culminates on Sunday evening with the Grand Parade, a vibrant and vivacious procession representing all cultures present, followed by the Nakoga Fireworks Show in the skies over Waikiki Beach. A live, authentic cultural event is what Hawaii vacationer dreams are made of—The Honolulu Festival is certainly an affair you’ll want to be a part of if! You can also spice up your Hawaiian vacation with other world-class cultural attractions available at discounted rates with a Go Select Oahu pass. A trip to the Polynesian Cultural Center is always an adventure, complete with fire dancing, spear throwing, and coconut husking. Top the day off with the Alii Kai Dinner Cruise discount tickets for a smooth sail past Honolulu, Diamond Head, and Waikiki, or grab Germaine’s Luau discount tickets for a traditional Hawaiian feast. Make sure to check out everything available to you with a Go Select Oahu pass before heading out on your Oahu excursion. You can build your own pass or choose one of the pre-made packages—either way you’re guaranteed to pay less than gate prices!