The JTB Hawaii Group will sponsor the 30th anniversary edition of the Honolulu Festival, one of Hawaii’s largest cultural exchange events, to be held in March 2026. The Festival is organized by the Honolulu Festival Foundation, chaired by Tetsuya Kubo.
Since its founding in 1995, the Honolulu Festival has grown over 30 years with the support of sponsors, the local community, participants, and volunteers. To mark this milestone year, the Festival will host the 30th MAHALO CEREMONY as a special occasion to express heartfelt gratitude under the message of “Aloha and Mahalo”.
The ceremony will feature renowned Japanese singer Ayaka Hirahara as a special guest. She will perform her signature song “Jupiter,” a piece closely associated with the Nagaoka Fireworks that have long served as the Festival’s grand finale. Her performance will create a meaningful and symbolic moment befitting the 30th anniversary.
Additional performances by Hawaii-based artists are also planned, creating a musical celebration that brings together gratitude, culture, and community.
【HONOLULU FESTIVAL 30th MAHALO CEREMONY】
■Title: HONOLULU FESTIVAL 30th MAHALO CEREMONY
■Theme: Aloha & Mahalo – 30 Years of Cultural Celebration
■Date & Time: Sunday, March 15, 2026 | 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM (tentative)
■Venue: Sunset on the Beach Stage at Waikiki Beach, Honolulu, Hawaii
■Program: Festival history video presentation, performances by Japanese and Hawaiian artists, and viewing of the Nagaoka Fireworks
■Admission: Invitation Only
(Invitations will be extended to long-time sponsors, participating artists, and special guests. A public viewing area will be available nearby)
About Ayaka Hirahara
Ayaka Hirahara debuted in 2003 with “Jupiter,” a Japanese adaptation of Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” from The Planets, which became a major hit in Japan. Since then, she has released numerous acclaimed songs and performed theme songs for television dramas and NHK productions, as well as national anthem performances. Her accolades include the Japan Record Award for Best New Artist and the Agency for Cultural Affairs Arts Encouragement Prize.
In addition to her music career, she has starred in leading roles in major musicals such as Love Never Dies, Mary Poppins, Beautiful, and Moulin Rouge! The Musical. She is also actively involved in social contributions through the Ayaka Hirahara Jupiter Fund, established in 2015 to support children and disaster-affected communities.
Hirahara has a deep connection to Honolulu. In 2015, she performed “Jupiter” at a Pearl Harbor peace and friendship commemorative ceremony. Her voice continues to transcend borders, delivering hope and unity to audiences worldwide.
The official anniversary key visual has been created by Solario (Matías Solario), a Hawaii-based artist who has gained significant attention in recent years.
Solario is known for his vintage-inspired depictions of Hawaii’s historic architecture and landscapes, blending respect for tradition with a modern sensibility. His work represents both the present and future of Hawaii, making it an ideal visual expression of gratitude for the past and vision for the future. Solario is also scheduled to participate in the Honolulu Art Market at the Festival for the third consecutive year.
At the Hawaii Convention Center, the main venue of the Honolulu Festival, special anniversary programs will be held, including a 30th Anniversary Kagami-wari (sake barrel opening ceremony) and a traditional Japanese tuna cutting show.
Festival visitors will be offered samples of Japanese sake and freshly prepared Japanese tuna on while supplies last.
【About the Honolulu Festival】
■Event Name: The 30th Honolulu Festival
■Dates: March 13 (Fri) – March 15 (Sun), 2026
■Venues: Hawaii Convention Center, Kalakaua Avenue, and other locations in Honolulu
■Organizer: Honolulu Festival Foundation
■Official Website: https://www.honolulufestival.com/en/
The Honolulu Festival is Hawaii’s largest annual cultural exchange event, created to promote friendship and understanding across the Pacific Rim. With its theme “Pacific Harmony – Love and Trust,” the festival aims to foster peace and mutual respect through multicultural exchange, connecting people of all generations and backgrounds from Japan, Hawaii, and beyond.
