The Honolulu Festival Foundation, in collaboration with JTB Hawaii Travel, successfully hosted the 29th Annual Honolulu Festival in March 2025.
■Event: Honolulu Festival
■Theme: Pacific Harmony
■Dates: Friday, March 7* to Sunday, March 9, 2025 (*7th: Invitation only)
■Venue: Hawaii Convention Center, Kalakaua Avenue, Waikiki Beach Walk, Ala Moana Center stage
■Attendance: 147,280 attendees over three days
■Host: Honolulu Festival Foundation
■Planning/Coordination: JTB Hawaii Travel, LLC
The Honolulu Festival is Hawaii’s biggest cultural exchange event, held annually every March in Waikiki, Honolulu on the island of Oahu. The Festival celebrates the diverse cultures of the Pacific region, promoting mutual understanding and friendship among people of Hawaii and visitors from around the world. Through cultural exchange, it aims to foster goodwill and contributing to world peace.
The Honolulu Festival Advisory Committee, organized by JTB Hawaii, hosted the inaugural Honolulu Festival in March 1995. Since then, the event has served as a vital platform for cultural connection, offering the people of Hawaii an opportunity to experience Japanese culture firsthand, while visitors from Japan engage with Hawaii’s unique multiethnic society.This three day celebration has become one of the premier destination to experience the rich culture of Japan, Hawaii, and Pacific Rim region.
Approximately 160 vendors and groups across the Pacific Rim – including Japan, U.S. Mainland, Canada, and Australia – participated in the Honolulu Festival 2025. Hawaii Convention Center, the festival’s main venue, hosted a record number of booths this year. We are truly grateful to the more than 147,000 attendees who joined us for this festival.
Governor’s Luncheon Reception
Friendship Gala: Bringing people together through food and culture
SDGs Genki Ball Tossing Event at Ala Wai canal
’The Dancing Okami’ set in a traditional hot spring town in Japan, premiered at Japanese Film Festival
Hitomi Shimatani’s PEACE STOCK special mini-concert
A special mini live performance by official EKIDEN supporter, FRUITS ZIPPER
More than 100 vendors exhibiting from around the world at the Craft Fair
“Japan Snack Fair” at the Japan Product Bazaar
“SUSHI to me!” – Sushi Making & Tasting
Breweries from all across Japan gathered for the “Sake & Food Festival.”
A mikoshi featuring a winning design created by high school students from Maui.
Performance of dance, music and traditional arts by Japanese university groups
Ennichi Corner – Experience the festive atmosphere of a traditional Japanese festival
Educational School Tours for Hawaii local students
Experience Japanese manga culture at ALOHA MANGA booth
Student volunteers from Japan
Waikiki Beach Walk stage
Ala Moana Center -Center Stage-
The Grand Parade held on Kalakaua avenue with a full street closure
Nagaoka Fireworks – A symbol of Peace and Friendship between Japan and the U.S.
Governor’s Luncheon Reception
Friendship Gala: Bringing people together through food and culture
SDGs Genki Ball Tossing Event at Ala Wai canal
’The Dancing Okami’ set in a traditional hot spring town in Japan, premiered at Japanese Film Festival
Hitomi Shimatani’s PEACE STOCK special mini-concert
A special mini live performance by official EKIDEN supporter, FRUITS ZIPPER
More than 100 vendors exhibiting from around the world at the Craft Fair
“Japan Snack Fair” at the Japan Product Bazaar
“SUSHI to me!” – Sushi Making & Tasting
Breweries from all across Japan gathered for the “Sake & Food Festival.”
A mikoshi featuring a winning design created by high school students from Maui.
Performance of dance, music and traditional arts by Japanese university groups
Ennichi Corner – Experience the festive atmosphere of a traditional Japanese festival
Educational School Tours for Hawaii local students
Experience Japanese manga culture at ALOHA MANGA booth
Student volunteers from Japan
Waikiki Beach Walk stage
Ala Moana Center -Center Stage-
The Grand Parade held on Kalakaua avenue with a full street closure
Nagaoka Fireworks – A symbol of Peace and Friendship between Japan and the U.S.
Sister Event: Honolulu Rainbow EKIDEN 2025
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who joined us in celebrating the Honolulu Festival – to our attendees and visitors, dedicated vendors, generous sponsors, valued business partners, talented performers, parade participants, and cultural groups who brought their traditions to life through incredible performances. We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated volunteers and staff, whose tireless efforts behind the scenes made this event possible.
In 2026, the Honolulu Festival will celebrate its milestone of 30th anniversary. We are excited to create even more meaningful opportunities for cultural exchange and connections.
JTB Hawaii is proud to support the Honolulu with the aim of contributing to the local community in Hawaii and fulfilling the JTB Group’s mission: “We strive to foster peace and global interconnectedness through the creation of opportunities for meaningful human interaction”
https://www.honolulufestival.com/en/（English）
https://www.honolulufestival.com/ja/（Japanese）
The 30th Honolulu Festival will be held on Friday, March 13 – Sunday, March 15, 2026.
