Your Insider Guide to the 20th Annual Korean Festival

 

 

Celebrating its 20th year, the Korean Festival is back on Saturday, Aug. 3, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with all your favorite eats, entertainment and activities—plus a few changes. The big news is the headlining performance by K-pop girl group Spia, who are flying in from South Korea, and there’s a location change to Kaka‘ako Mauka Gateway Park (corner of Ala Moana Blvd. and Cooke St.).

 

Also new this year is a movie screening on Friday, Aug. 2, at Consolidated Theatres Ward featuring Night of the Assassin and a meet-and-greet with actor Shin Hyun Joon. Tickets for the film are already sold out, but you’ll have a chance to see the star at the festival on Saturday.

 

Organizers expect more than 20,000 attendees and 500 volunteers representing about 40 Korean and local organizations. Net proceeds will go to the Hawai‘i Korean Chamber of Commerce to improve the Korean and local communities through trade and tourism missions, support of business-friendly legislation, student scholarships and free seminars on personal finance for senior citizens and immigrants.

 

Click to the information you want to explore:

• When and Where
• What to Do
• What to Eat, Drink and Buy
• Tips

 

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When and Where

The Korean Festival will span two days.

• Friday, Aug. 2, 6 to 9 p.m.: Night of the Assassin movie night (free tickets sold out) and meet-and-greet with actor Shin Hyun Joon at Consolidated Theatres Ward
• Saturday, Aug. 3: festival at Kaka‘ako Mauka Gateway Park

 

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How Much It Costs

Admission is free, but you’ll need scrip to buy food and products. You can buy scrip in one-dollar denominations by credit card or cash at onsite booths. Purchase scrip online before midnight on Aug. 2 for a 10% discount. For every $50 you buy in presale scrip, you will receive $5 free.

 

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Where to Park

Here’s a map of your parking options:

• Kaka‘ako Waterfront Park – Free
• Street Parking – Metered
• Gold Bond Building (677 Ala Moana Blvd., parking entrance on Coral St.) – $5 with validation
• Lot C at Ilalo St. – $1 per hour
• 919 Ala Moana Blvd. (available after 2 p.m.) – pay via QR code
• Fisherman’s Wharf (available after 2 p.m.) – pay via QR code

 

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What to Do

With an emphasis on authentic Korean dishes, there will be even more variety of food available this year. Think mung bean pancakes, hotteok, bulgogi bap and plenty of kim chee. You can also shop for packaged Korean food products to take home with you. Heads-up: There will not be a soju and beer garden, but non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase.

 

Get ready to dance and sing your hearts out to the high-energy performance lineup, including a K-pop dance contest, K-pop singing contest, Korean fashion show, acrobatics team, taekwondo and more. Two popular eating contests return this year: kim chee and jjajangmyeon (Korean noodle dish). To enter the competitions, check in at 3 p.m. near the main stage. Only 15 people will vie for each contest.

 

Attendees will also enjoy keiki activities, snapping photos wearing traditional Korean attire and shopping booths offering handcrafted products made locally and imported from Korea.

 

Entertainment Schedule

9:45 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.

• Korean Farmers Music Association
• Arang Go Go Janggu from Korea
• Taiko Center of the Pacific
• K-pop Dance – Mix Rose

 

10:50 a.m. to 11:20 a.m.

• Samhyun Yukgak Preservation Association Fashion Show
• K-pop Dance – Sparkline
• K-pop Dance – K-Era
• Novie & Williams Flores
• K-pop Dance – X140 (Shao)
• Solesisters
• K-pop Dance – Aura

 

12 p.m.

• Opening Remarks

 

1 p.m.

• Halla Huhm
• Chinchu Roche Janggo Dance
• K-pop Dance – Xstatic
• Taekwondo Honolulu
• Hawai‘i Gogo Janggu Team
• K-pop Dance – Mix Rose

 

2:10 p.m. to 2:40 p.m.

• Samhyun Yukgak Preservation Association
• K-pop Dance – K-Era
• Arang Go Go Janggu Hawai‘i Team
• K-pop Dance – Aura
• Korean Farmers Music Association

 

3:15 p.m.

• K-pop Singing and K-pop Dancing Contest
• Kohine Singing Club

 

 

4 p.m.

• Kim Chee Eating Contest
• Jjajangmyeon Eating Contest
• K-pop Dance – Vibe

 

5 p.m.

• K-pop girl group Spia

 

6 p.m.

• Closing Remarks

 

Note: Times are subject to change.

 

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What to Eat, Drink and Buy

Here’s a tentative menu of food offerings:

• 88 Mart: Tteokbokki, Fish Jun, Kim Chee Jun, Kimbap, Bulgogi Bento, Cucumber Kim Chee, Mandoo, Spicy Pork Bento
• Battery Bill: Shave Ice
• Bumboocha Shrimp Chips: Kim Chee Chips, Shrimp Chips with Teriyaki and Furikake Toppings, Ube Chips with Raspberry and Fruity Pebbles
• Chogajip: Green Onion and Chicken Pancake
• Family Jjang: Kimbap, Korean Side Dishes
• Hawai‘i Banchan Co.: Mung Bean Pancake, Kim Chee Pancake, Fishcake Bar, Sweet Potato Bread, Bagged Iced Juice
• Hawai‘i Christian Church: Kimbap, Tteokbokki, Hotteok, Kim Chee Pancake
• Jagalchi: Korean Fried Chicken, Bossam, Kim Chee Spicy Pork with Rice, Chicken Tender Plate
• Khan Skewer: Kim Chee and Pork Skewers, Mongolian Skewers
• New Community Baptist Church (Sanuri Church): Bibimbap, Bulgogi Bap, Mandoo, Duck Butt Chicken
• Yomie’s: Yogurt Drinks, Milk Tea, Fizz Drinks, Butterbeer (non-alcoholic), Tanghulu

 

 

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Tips

• Arrive early—more than 20,000 attendees are expected at the all-day event. If you aren’t in the mood for standing in long food lines, consider arriving when the festival opens.
• Bring mats or lawn chairs to enjoy the entertainment and for picnicking.
• Don’t forget hats and sunscreen! The new location doesn’t have much shade.
• Be prepared to stand and dance. Expect crowded concert vibes for the closing act, Spia.

 

Korean Festival, Saturday, Aug. 3, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Kaka‘ako Mauka Gateway Park, Corner of Ala Moana Boulevard & Cooke Street, koreanfesthawaii.com, @koreanfestival