Hawai‘i to Welcome Thousands for 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Governor Josh Green, M.D., First Lady Jaime Kanani Green, and festival organisers announced that Hawai‘i is prepared and ready to host the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture (FestPAC), the world’s largest celebration of indigenous Pacific Islanders, which will convene on O‘ahu from 6-16 June 2024.
“Serving as host of the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture is an honour and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Hawai‘i, in partnership with the U.S.,” said Governor Josh Green, M.D. “We’re pleased to announce we are ready to welcome guests and festival participants from across the Pacific to our beautiful state for this important cultural event. FestPAC embodies the spirit of unity and diversity, and we look forward to hosting a memorable and enriching experience for all.”
More than 2,200 delegates from 27 Pacific nations (including Australia and New Zealand) will gather for 10 days of cultural exchange, appreciation, and celebration at various venues across the island. More than 50 festival events, including the opening and closing ceremonies, Festival Village, heritage dance and contemporary music performances, heritage arts demonstrations, visual arts exhibits, and more, will be free and open to the public. Event tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis at www.festpachawaii.org.
Primary FestPAC events will include an opening ceremony to launch the festivities with performances, speeches, and a parade of nations; an Ecumenical Service to unite attendees in reflection and prayer; Festival Village at the Hawai‘i Convention Center where artisans will feature traditional heritage art demonstrations, including kapa making, weaving, jewellery crafting, chanting, and dancing; and a closing ceremony to reflect and celebrate. All FestPAC events, with the exception of the wa‘a arrival ceremony, some bilateral governmental meetings, and discussions among delegations, are free and open to the public.
The full schedule of FestPAC events can be found at www.festpachawaii.org/schedule
“For more than 50 years, FestPAC has served as the primary stage for honouring and preserving Pacific arts and culture. It presents a rare and unparalleled chance for Hawai‘i to exhibit our cultural legacy alongside our broader Pacific ‘ohana, nurturing a greater comprehension and respect for the collective identity of the Pacific,” said Aaron J. Salā, Ph.D., festival director of the 13th FestPAC. “By offering free access to most events, we hope to provide a welcoming and inclusive space for residents and visitors to celebrate and immerse themselves in this important celebration of culture and arts.”
At a recent news conference at Washington Place, Governor Green and First Lady Green joined Festival Director Salā to also announce members of Hawai‘i’s delegation at this year’s FestPAC. These key members of the delegation also serve as program leads for the festival and have been instrumental in curating cultural programming. Hawai‘i’s delegation will be led by Kamana‘opono Crabbe.
Since its inception in 1972, FestPAC has served as an important venue for cultural conservation and revitalisation, creativity and innovation, and cultural diplomacy for the Pacific community. In collaboration with the Pacific Community and the Council of Pacific Arts and Culture, FestPAC takes place every four years in a different Pacific Island nation. Hawai‘i was originally scheduled to host FestPAC for the first time in 2020, but it was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For more information about the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture, including festival delegations, schedule of events, and attendee registration, visit www.festpachawaii.org.
