*Please be advised this schedule may be subject to change without prior notice.

Daidengaku 
The Daidengaku is a Japanese classical theater which was booming during the years of 1000-1600 in Japan. It is about giving a prayer to god for the rich harvest wearing a woven hat which is decorated with flowers. The performers also wear a 5 colored vivid costume and they will be dancing with a flute and drum. A total of 25 locals of Hawaii will be performing. Please enjoy the harmonious rhythm of Japan. 

Tenshu Monogatari
The Tenshu Monogatari is a reader’s theater which the story takes place on the top floor of the Japanese castle tower called “Tenshukaku”, where the ghost of Tomihime lives with her handmaids after Tomihime’s unnnatural death. She was captivated by the young warrior whose heart was pure and they fell in love, where a surprise fate awaits them.

Our group Obama Girls & Obama Boys consist of students from the hula class in Obama City, Fukushima Prefecture. The age of the students range from 10 to 80. Our city shares the same name with Barrack Obama, who was elected as the U.S. president. Also, the group was created with hope for world peace. In addition, Barrack Obama is from Hawaii; hence, we chose one of the traditions of Hawaiian culture which was the hula dance. We feel honored to be able to perform our dance in the hometown of a president, even though we are still immature dancers.

©FUJIKO-PRO, SHOGAKUKAN, TV ASAHI, SHIN-EI ANIMATION, ASATSU-DK 2006

Doraemon is a famous animation character in Japan which will be coming to the Honolulu Festival! The film screening of DORAEMON THE MOVIE: NOBITA AND THE LITTLE DINOSAURS will be held at the Hawaiii Convention Center. You can also take pictures with the real Doraemon for free. Stay tuned!

Hawaii Convention Center 
DORAEMON THE MOVIE: NOBITA AND THE LITTLE DINOSAUR
(English subtitle)
Mar 14, Sat 1:30pm –
Mar 15, Sun 12:00pm –

Montessori De Cagayan will be coming to perform in the Honolulu Festival for the first time from Tuguegarao City in the Province of Cagayan, which is in the northern part of the Philippines. The elementary students will be performing the folk dance. Their costume may captivate the Philippine communities in Hawaii.

The Alaska Native Heritage Center Dancers encourage the youth to share and learn the Alaskan native dance, which they pass on the Alaskan culture to the next generation. They are performing all over the U.S. Also, the group started as an after-school program at the Alaskan Native High School in 2001, which won the Presidential Award in 2008. The members of the group are all passionate Alaskan Natives. They wear the traditional ceremonial dress and perform their dance that reflects the legends and lives of their culture.

The Anime Corner will be opened at the 15th Annual Honolulu Festival for the first time. There are various activities such as the Maid Cafe, manga library and manga workshop. Also, the Hawaii’s Kawaii Kon will be coming to the festival in their cosplay costume. In addition, Haruko Momoi who is an Akiba-Kei idol showed such an exciting performance last time is being scheduled to appear this year as well. 

The powerful Honolulu Daijayama will be coming back to the Grand Parade from Omuta City, Fukuoka Prefecture with Chibbiko Daijayama. The fireworks that spark from the head of Daija brighten up the night sky of Waikiki. The Honolulu Daijayama is the last appearance in the parade which their performance is filled with energy and excitement. Don’t miss it!  [ See more ]

Tonosama Ren will be performing Awa-Odori which is a type of bon dance originated in Tokushima Prefecture. They are one of the experienced groups in Japan. The male dancer will be dancing the wild Abare-Odori and the female dancer will be dancing in a graceful manner. Their mission is to pass the tradition of Awa-Odori to the next generation. Also, they enjoy dancing for Tokushima Prefecture and world peace. Please enjoy watching their Awa-Odori with the music of narimono instrument.
[ See more ]

“Yosakoi” is a festival which was originated 56 years ago in Tosa City, Kochi Prefecture. Suga-Ren/Sugaizanairen will be performing the Izanai Yosakoi dance with hope of world peace and share their great energy which captivates people around the world.
[ See more ]

Tahiti Nui International is a group that protects and preserves the Polynesian culture of France, arts and crafts which they pass onto the next generation. Please enjoy watching their exotic Tahitian dance.

Descendance will be participating for the 5th consecutive year. They are very popular aboriginal group which perform in more than 15 countries and known world-wide. Also, they have been performing the traditional and contemporary Australian aboriginal culture and music to the world. Please look forward to watch their powerful and exciting, yet a bit comical performance at the Honolulu Festival. [ See more ]

Manoa DNA is a new popular family band in Hawaii. DNA is an acronym for Dad (LLoyd Kawakami), Nick (son), Alex (son). One of their songs Discover Aloha With Me was used for the TV commercial of the campaign “So Much More Hawaii“ run by the Hawaii Tourism Authority in 2008. [ See more ]

Henry Perrine Baldwin High School won the Maui Mikoshi Design Contest for the second time this year since 2006. This contest is an educational program hosted by the Honolulu Festival for the high school students in Maui. [ See More ] 

The Ennichi Corner will be back with more activities. You can experience take-tombo (bamboo-copter), goldfish scooping and yo-yo fishing. Also, you can enjoy eating cotton candy and wearing a yukata in which you can take pictures in it. In addition, the fortune teller will be participating this year. [ See 2008 report ] 

“Ennichi” is a special day for the Japanese to celebrate their relation with a particular deity.  [ See More ] 

Poakalani & Co.Hawaiian Quilt Exhibition will be held inside the Hawaii Convention Center. This event is hosted by Mr. John Serrao, who is known as one of Hawaii’s best quilt designers in Oahu. The displayed Hawaiian quilts are made by the students of Poakalani & Co., which their demonstration and workshop will also be held as a part of the program. [ See more ] 
[ See 2008 report ] 

There are more than 100 shops running the booths of craft from Japan and Hawaii, where you can experience origami (paper-folding), ikebana (flower arrangement) and so forth.
[ See more ]
[ See 2008 report ] 

The Friendship Gala is filled with excitement every year. You can get to taste a variety of dishes prepared by the chefs from the popular restaurants in Hawaii. Also, some of the participating groups will be performing on stage. Please come and enjoy this rare opportunity.
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[ See 2008 report ]