Your Insider Guide to the 42nd Okinawan Festival

 

 

This Labor Day weekend, make plans to munch on andagi, slurp Okinawa soba, listen to sanshin music and participate in the bon dance at the Okinawan Festival. Now in its 42nd year, it’s one of the largest ethnic festivals in the state of Hawai‘i. In fact, more than 45,000 people attended in 2023!

 

You can expect all of your favorite festival activities, including music and performing arts, cultural education, arts and crafts, historical exhibits, genealogy research, children’s games, plus some new offerings this year, such as Bingata workshops, an art technique unique to Okinawa, and an Okinawan-inspired beer brewed right here in Hawai‘i.

 

With the theme of “Sharing Uchinanchu Aloha,” the event is put on by the Hawai‘i United Okinawa Association (HUOA) and supports its many cultural programs, including classes, genealogy resources, the Hawai‘i-Okinawa Student Exchange Program, the Children’s Cultural Day Camp, community service projects and more.

 

Click to the info you want to explore:

• When & Where
• What to Eat & Buy
• What to Do
• Entertainment
• Tips

 

---

SEE ALSO: O‘ahu Bon Dance Schedule 2024

---

 

 

 

When & Where

The 42nd Okinawan Festival is on Saturday, Aug. 31, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 1, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with early admission at 9 a.m. The bon dance is from 5:30 to 9 p.m. on Saturday night only. The event will take place at the Hawai‘i Convention Center, 1801 Kalākaua Ave.

 

How Much It Costs

We recommend purchasing tickets in advance, especially if you’re interested in the early admission tickets that give you access to the event from 9 a.m. They are priced at $15 for adults and $10 for seniors 65 years and older. Two-day early admission is $25 for adults and $15 for seniors. Tickets are free for keiki 12 and under.

 

For general admission with entry from 10 a.m., a single day is $10 for adults and $5 for seniors. Two-day tickets are $16 for adults and $8 for seniors. And, same with the early bird tickets, these are free for keiki 12 years and under.

 

BUY TICKETS

 

Admission is free to the bon dance on Saturday, but note that only select booths will be open during that time.

 

All booths and activities accept scrip for payment, except the beer garden where you’ll need to pay via credit card. Purchase scrip with cash or a credit card. One scrip is worth $1, and one scrip sheet is worth $10. You may use scrip, cash or credit card at the Craft Gallery and HUOA Store.

 

Where to Park

Hawai‘i Convention Center

Parking at the Hawai‘i Convention Center is $15 per entry (no overnight or in/out privileges). Enter the convention center’s parking structure from Kalākaua Ave.

 

Ala Moana Shopping Center

Additional parking is available at Ala Moana Center on the Diamond Head side near Ala Moana Hotel. Scan the QR code available in the parking lot and use the discount code “HCC22” for 50% off.

 

Civic Center Municipal Parking

You can park at the Civic Center Municipal Parking at 346 Alapai St. (enter from Beretania St.) and take the shuttle to the convention center. The shuttle will pick up from the Alapai Transfer Station across the street from Civic Center Municipal Parking. The shuttle cost is $3 round trip (collected upon return). You can purchase shuttle tickets from the Information Booth in the Exhibit Hall. The shuttle will run on Saturday from 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

 

---

 

 

 

What to Eat & Buy

One of the most important parts of the Okinawan Festival is the food, right? All of your usual favorites will be available once again. Here’s the scoop on the menu and prices:

 

Andagi – 3 Pieces for 4 Scrip / 1 Dozen for 16 Scrip
Sata Andagi is a famous Okinawan doughnut. Around 130,000 of Hawai‘i’s version of andagi will be “dropped” and fried during festival.

 

Andadog – 1 for 4 Scrip / 2 for 7 Scrip
Hot dog on a stick, dipped in andagi batter and deep-fried. The Okinawan version of a corndog.

 

Bento – 12 Scrip
Available for purchase during the bon dance only, while supplies last.

 

Champuru Plate – 8 Scrip
Shoyu pork, Champuru (a stir fry of vegetables, luncheon meat and deep-fried tofu) served with Andamiso (pork and miso mixture) and white rice. Vegetarian Champuru and steamed Okinawan sweet potato are also available for 6 scrip.

 

Chili & Rice – 7 Scrip
Chili and rice in a bowl. A Chili Frank Plate is also available for 10 scrip.

 

Oki Dog – 10 Scrip
A hot dog and chili are wrapped in a soft tortilla with shredded shoyu pork and lettuce. An Okinawan Festival original!

 

Okinawa Soba – 12 Scrip
Okinawa soba served in hot soup and garnished with kamaboko (fishcake), shoyu pork, green onions and red ginger.

 

Okinawan Sweet Potato (Steamed) – 6 Scrip
Sold at the Champuru booth and the Country Store.

 

Pig’s Feet Soup (Saturday all day, Sunday morning only) – 15 Scrip
Pig’s feet are cooked in a soup stock and garnished with konbu (seaweed), daikon (turnip), togan (squash), mustard cabbage and served with hot rice.

 

Yakisoba – 8 Scrip
Okinawa soba noodles stir-fried with vegetables and luncheon meat, seasoned with a special chef’s sauce.

 

Yakitori – 2 Scrip
Skewered chicken grilled with a touch of teriyaki sauce. The Yakitori Bento comes with two yakitori and rice sprinkled with furikake for 7 scrip.

 

 

Heads-up: only select food booths will available during the bon dance: andagi, andadog, Okinawa soba and bento.

 

When you’re feeling thirsty, visit the Awamori Garden (Beer Graden) to try the Shikuwasa Hazy IPA, a brand-new Okinawan-inspired beer brewed by Beer Lab HI that’s launching on Aug. 30.

 

---

SEE ALSO: Beer Lab Opens a Fun Bar and Lounge with Food at Puck’s Alley

---

 

 

At Machiya-Gwaa (Country Store), you’ll find new and unique local products to eat at the festival or take home with you. Here are some of the notable items:

• Andamiso: a pork miso paste usually eaten with rice
• Produce: A plethora of local fruits and vegetables from Ala Moana Produce, Aloun Farms, Kamiya Papayas and Sumida Farms
• Aloha Tofu: Jimami Tofu (Okinawan peanut tofu), Yushi Dofu, Ohana Soy Sauce
• Creative Gifts by Doreen: Goya Sanbaizuke (pickled bittermelon), goya seeds
• Ige’s Halawa and Masa’s Mapunapuna: Maki Sushi, Namasu, Nishime
• Jane’s Tea Stand: Plantation Iced Tea and Lemonade with Butterfly Tea, served in a limited-edition 42nd Okinawan Festival cup
• Kilani Bakery: Brownies, Okinawan Sweet Potato Turnovers, Azuki Turnovers and Brownie Bombs
• King’s Hawaiian: Frosted King’s Hawaiian Sweet Rolls
• Teruya’s Andagi: Veggie Bentos, Garlic Chicken Roll Bentos

 

Other vendors include Almond Tree Toffee, Asato Family Sherbert, Cakes & Sweets by Emily, Cream & Sugar, Huff n’ Puff, Kansai Yamato, Ono Kettle Pop, Ulu Mana, Yo Mama’s Mochi and more.

 

 

Visit Heiwa Dori for an impressive array of food products brought in directly from Okinawa. Among the most popular are:

• Kombu (dried kelp)
• Goya Champuru Flavor Packs
• Okinawa Soba
• Sata Andagi mixes in Kokuto, Kabocha and other flavors
• Shïkwasa Juice (Okinawan lemon-lime)
• Kokuto (Okinawan black sugar)
• Okinawan Sea Salt

 

Plant enthusiasts can browse a wide selection of potted plants and flowers that will be available for purchase. Artistically sculptured bonsai trees and plants will be on display courtesy of the Hawai‘i Bonsai Association. And at the Craft Gallery, shop a wide array of original arts and crafts by local vendors and artisans.

 

---

SEE ALSO: Guide to O‘ahu Bon Dance Food: August 2024

---

 

 

 

What to Do

Entertainment from local performing arts groups will fill both days of the festival with Okinawan dance, karate, taiko and live music. New to the stage this year are Wani from Tokyo performing original uta/sanshin music; Uta-Maai from Kumejima, Okinawa, and Champuru.

 

Stroll the Bunkwa nu Shima (Cultural Village) for a variety of displays, demonstrations and hands-on activities, including Shimakutuba (indigenous languages of Okinawa) and children’s crafts. Okinawan kimono and paarankuu dressing with professional photos are available for a fee, as well as the cultural cookbook, Chimugukuru. This year’s special exhibit will showcase Okinawan musical instruments with interactive performances and demonstrations.

 

 

At the Okinawa Genealogical Society of Hawai‘i booth, look into your family’s history by searching the immigrant database, which contains 19,000 records and covers Okinawan immigrant information from 1900–1925.

 

New to the festival this year is a booth dedicated to Bingata, a traditional stenciled resist dyeing technique unique to Okinawa. Register for the class online, which is $20 per person, and take home the dyed coaster you work on as a keepsake.

 

 

Families will have tons of fun with children’s games, robotics team demonstrations and a Keiki Korner play area for preschoolers and toddlers.

 

There will be multiple booths featuring health and wellness information where you can have your blood pressure checked, learn more about Blue Zones and the secrets to Okinawan longevity.

 

---

 

 

 

Entertainment

Here is a tentative schedule.

 

Saturday, Aug. 31

10 a.m. Program Opening

10:05 a.m. Ryukyu Sokyoku Koyo Kai Hawai‘i Shibu

10:25 a.m. Ryukyu Koten Ongaku Nomura-Ryu Ongaku Kyokai Hawai‘i Shibu

10:45 a.m. Naha Izumizaki Hatagashira

11:05 a.m. Oli by Ryan McCormack

11:10 a.m. Opening Procession Parade

11:30 a.m. Paranku Club of Hawai‘i

11:50 p.m. Formal Opening Ceremony

12:25 p.m. Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko Hawai‘i

12:50 p.m. Ryusei Honryu Ryuko Kai

1:10 p.m. Wani

1:35 p.m. Hooge Ryu Hana Nuuzi No Kai Nakasone Dance Academy

2 p.m. Shorin-Ryu Hawai‘i Seibukan

2:15 p.m. Yuttai Kwattai

2:35 p.m.

• Tamagusuku Ryu Kansen Atae No Kai
• Yonamine Keiko
• Nishijo Joseph
• Tome Akiko Ryubu Dojo

2:55 p.m. Uta-Maai

3:20 p.m. Hawai‘i Okinawa Creative Arts

3:40 p.m. Ryukyu Koten Afuso Ryu Ongaku Kenkyuu Choichi Kai USA/Hawai‘i

4:25 p.m. Kachashi – Ryukyu Koten Afuso Ryu Ongaku Kenyuu Choichi Kai Hawai‘i

 

 

Bon Dance

5:30 p.m. Bon Dance opening and welcome

5:35 p.m. Hawai‘i Eisa Shinyuu Kai

6:25 p.m. Iwakuni Odori Aiko Kai

7 p.m. Hawai‘i Shin Kobukai

7:25 p.m. ‘Aiea Taiheiji Yagura Gumi

8:05 p.m. Young Okinawans of Hawai‘i

8:35 p.m. Kachaashii

 

Sunday, Sept. 1

10 a.m. Opening Program

10:05 a.m. HUOA Ichigo Ichi E Class

10:25 a.m. The Kilauea Okinawa Dance

10:45 a.m. Frances Nakachi Kuba Sensei Speech

10:55 a.m. Tamagusuku Ryu Senju Kai Frances Nakachi Ryubu Dojo

11:20 a.m. Chinagu Eisa

11:55 a.m.

• Nidaime Teishin Kai Hawai‘i Shibu
• HUOA Sanshin Class

12:30 p.m. Jimpu Kai U.S.A. Kin Ryosho Ryukyu Geino Kenkyusho Hawai‘i Shibu

12:55 p.m. Champuru

1:15 p.m. Shoshin Dance Company

1:40 p.m. Hawai‘i Okinawa Shinden Shorin Ryu Karate Association

2 p.m.

• Azama Honryu Allison Tokuko Yanagi Ryukyu Dance Studio
• Nomura Ryu Dentou Ongaku Kyoukai Hawaiʻi Shibu

2:45 p.m. Kachashi – Ryukyu Koten Afuso Ryu Ongaku Kenkyuu Choichi Kai USA/Hawai‘i

 

---

SEE ALSO: Our Guide: Honolulu Summer Festivals

---

 

 

 

Tips

• Leave your pets and hard-shell coolers at home as they won’t be allowed inside.
• Wear comfortable shoes since you’ll be walking a lot and waiting in line.
• Should you misplace something, the Lost & Found is located at the Information Booth on the first floor.
• Previous years’ Okinawan Festival shirts and bon dance towels are sold at a big discount at the Country Store.
• For nursing moms with babies, there are nursing pods located throughout the Convention Center.
• Note that towards the end of the event, the festival may stop selling scrip and booths may accept cash instead, so bring some on Sunday.
• If you can’t get enough of andagi and soba, you’re in luck. The Okinawan Feastival kicks off on Sept. 2 and runs through Sept. 16. Local restaurants will offer traditional foods and special menus. Check out the list of 25 participating locations and dishes here.

 

---

SEE ALSO: All the Special Dishes at 25 O‘ahu Restaurants During Okinawan Feastival Sept. 2–16

---

 

Okinawan Festival, Saturday, Aug. 31, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 1, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m, Hawai‘i Convention Center, 1801 Kalākaua Ave., okinawanfestival.com, @okinawanfestival