Pan Pacific Festival returns to Honolulu next weekend
HONOLULU (KHON2) – We are officially in summer and there are always great events that are taking place throughout the hot months.
We are so excited that next weekend, beginning on June 13 throughout the weekend is the return and the 42nd annual Pan Pacific Festival, bringing in cultures from across the Pacific here on Oʻahu to celebrate.
And to find out more, because there will be so many different events, we are here with both Shuji Komagata of Hawaii Matsuri Taiko and Somei Taiko, and Alan Kinuhata who is the spokesperson for the Festival.
Alan, what are we expecting for the 42nd annual Pan Pacific Festival?
'Yes. Once again, we are very excited. We had a long hiatus because of the pandemic, but it started back again last year,' says Kinuhata.
'This year, we are celebrating the 42nd annual. We are considered one of the longest running festivals here in Hawai'i Nei so very excited about that. But as you have mentioned, we are going to kick off the festivities with a ho'olaulea. We are going to block off Kalakaua Ave and we have a total of 4 performing areas throughout Kalakaua Ave. And then throughout the weekend, we have performances at International Marketplace, Ala Moana Center and then we will wrap up everything on Kalakaua once again on Sunday evening.'
What are some of the things that will be presented at each of these locations?
'Well, you had mentioned earlier about the melting pot of cultures and Hawaii,' says Kinuhata.
'That is all about us, so we are inviting all of the various cultures throughout the Pacific Rim area to perform or share their performing arts and culture with us. One of the most exciting cultures that I like personally is the taiko. Whenever I hear the taiko, it gets my blood all boiling and excited. We actually have one of the groups who is locally here that has been joining with the festivities for quite sometime now.'
You mentioned the taiko drum which Shuji, we are very stoked for you to be here because I am familiar with you being a part of this festival for many decades.
How long have you been a part of this?
'Well, we have been playing a part of this Pan Pacific Festival since the mid-1990s,' says Komagata.
'Our group Hawaii Matsuri Taiko was started in 1984 by my mother, Faye Komagata. And in 2005, my wife Jaymie and I started Somei Taiko, so together we are part of this annual event and are excited to be a part of it once again this year.'
For those who may be unfamiliar with the significance of taiko, what is taiko all about?
'Well, taiko simply means 'Japanese drum',' says Komagata.
'You see the drum made out of wood with cowhide, you pair that with really good performers and good music and you have a nice festivity for an entertaining show. Taiko is used in the past for good luck, to bring good luck in, chase out the bad luck, but also for festivals so it is a very fitting time to use this taiko in the Pan Pacific Festival.'
Again, this is going to be the 42nd annual Pan Pacific Festival kicking off next week Friday, June 13 and lasting throughout the weekend.
For more information, click here.
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