Conceived and produced by San Jose Taiko
Created by San Jose Taiko, Epic Immersive, and Wesley Jazz Ensemble

Japanese Americans have the dubious distinction of being the only U.S. citizen group incarcerated due to wartime hysteria. Sadly, many Americans are unaware of this history. As more internees pass away, it becomes ever more important to preserve their history and share its lessons with younger generations. San Jose Taiko’s highly-acclaimed Swingposium employs the power of performance to teach about Internment and foster dialogue around civil rights, honoring the resilience of those who lived through Internment.

"Swingposium," celebrates the big band scene that emerged while Japanese American people were in incarceration camps.

“The whole show starts with the door swinging open. You've just been transported through time," Imperial said. The classic Benny Goodman song, “In the Mood," plays courtesy of a live jazz ensemble, and the audience starts dancing.

“As an audience member, you are not just watching, but you are participating," he said. "Imagine yourself walking onto a movie set from the 1940s, in an internment camp dance hall. And so you're surrounded by actors, dancers, Taiko musicians.”

Conceived and produced by San Jose Taiko
Created by San Jose Taiko, Epic Immersive, and Wesley Jazz Ensemble

Japanese Americans have the dubious distinction of being the only U.S. citizen group incarcerated due to wartime hysteria. Sadly, many Americans are unaware of this history. As more internees pass away, it becomes ever more important to preserve their history and share its lessons with younger generations. San Jose Taiko’s highly-acclaimed Swingposium employs the power of performance to teach about Internment and foster dialogue around civil rights, honoring the resilience of those who lived through Internment.

"Swingposium," celebrates the big band scene that emerged while Japanese American people were in incarceration camps.

“The whole show starts with the door swinging open. You've just been transported through time," Imperial said. The classic Benny Goodman song, “In the Mood," plays courtesy of a live jazz ensemble, and the audience starts dancing.

“As an audience member, you are not just watching, but you are participating," he said. "Imagine yourself walking onto a movie set from the 1940s, in an internment camp dance hall. And so you're surrounded by actors, dancers, Taiko musicians.”

What better way to celebrate the Holidays than by combining a timeless Nutcracker with the grandeur and elegance of the Hawaiian monarchy?

Celebrate the Holidays with Ballet Hawaii’s lavish Hawaiian-themed Nutcracker presented in the 1858 Kingdom of Hawaii. The production is choreographed by Septime Webre with guest artists from New York City Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Carolina Ballet, and Eugene Ballet and accompanied by members of the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra.

What better way to celebrate the Holidays than by combining a timeless Nutcracker with the grandeur and elegance of the Hawaiian monarchy?

Celebrate the Holidays with Ballet Hawaii’s lavish Hawaiian-themed Nutcracker presented in the 1858 Kingdom of Hawaii. The production is choreographed by Septime Webre with guest artists from New York City Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Carolina Ballet, and Eugene Ballet and accompanied by members of the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra.

What better way to celebrate the Holidays than by combining a timeless Nutcracker with the grandeur and elegance of the Hawaiian monarchy?

Celebrate the Holidays with Ballet Hawaii’s lavish Hawaiian-themed Nutcracker presented in the 1858 Kingdom of Hawaii. The production is choreographed by Septime Webre with guest artists from New York City Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Carolina Ballet, and Eugene Ballet and accompanied by members of the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra.

Four Shows with a variety of performances for each show.

Four Shows with a variety of performances for each show.

The 4th Annual Kāhuli Festival’s theme focuses on renewing and restoring cultural connections for conservation and is titled Ke Kani Nei Ka Pūpū – The Land Snails Sing. Through this theme, we acknowledge the resilience of our Hawaiian land snails in an everchanging landscape and how the aliʻi of Hawaiʻi remembered them in the naming of places, like Kamehameha III’s Nuʻuanu home, Kaniakapūpū, and in storytelling. The festival offers an opportunity for the research, conservation, education, and natural cultural resource community to showcase how we mālama pū i ka ʻāina, especially through the cultural lens surrounding endangered Hawaiian land snails and other native species.

Four Shows with a variety of performances for each show.

Four Shows with a variety of performances for each show.

A colorful procession of Hawaiian culture through Waikīkī

Intricate floats decorated with a rainbow of fresh flowers and men and women on horseback showcasing the traditional art of pāʻū riding. Participants from marching bands to hālau hula to civic leaders display the unique aloha spirit that unites Hawai‘i’s community.

Get ready for a beachfront street festival like no other!

Kalākaua Avenue will be transformed with booths showcasing Hawai‘i cuisine, crafts and culture stretching as far as the eye can see. Taste the best of local flavors from around the island in one place, and peruse artisan-made crafts. Multiple stages with incredible entertainment will rock the evening featuring top local artists, award-winning hālau hula, and more.

The Royal Court Investiture and Opening Ceremony will kick off the month-long Aloha Festivals celebration with its treasured cultural protocols. The evening will begin with The Royal Court Investiture. In a stately ceremony that honors Hawaiʻi’s aliʻi (ruling chiefs), this year’s Aloha Festivals Royal Court will don regalia worn only by aliʻi of the highest rank. As representatives of Hawaiʻi’s past, the Aloha Festivals Royal Court ensures the festival is rooted in the most cherished traditions of Hawaiʻi. Following the Investiture, the Opening Ceremony will feature hula and musical performances for a special evening in the heart of Waikīkī.

Free admission.  Everyone welcome!

Bring your own chairs & blankets.

9am – Native Hawaiian Blessing, music & performance, followed by Grand Entry at 10am.

Visit with Indigenous & Turtle Island craft vendors, gather resource information from educational & community-based organizations, participate in children’s crafts, enjoy local food vendors and

Navajo frybread prepared by our Navajo relatives, Masen Tsosie and Caroline Begay, throughout the day.

Invited Groups include the Lummi Nation Blackhawk Singers and the Bird Singers from the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians.

Host Drum – Blackfoot Drummers
Head Woman Dancer – Taunie Cullooyah, Kalispel Tribe
Head Man Dancer – Robert Thomas, Colville Confederated Tribe
Emcee – Brad Bearsheart
Arena Director – Eric Lonecheif

Stay tuned for more details!

Cultural performances, activities, exhibits, marketplace, bon dance.

And FOOD! Freshly made ANDAGI, shave ice, Okinawa soba, Pig’s Feet soup, Champura and more.

Share, Promote, and Raise Awareness of Korean Culture in the Community

The Korean Festival is an annual event run by the Hawaii Korean Chamber of Commerce, with the support of dozens of community organizations and businesses, and hundreds of volunteers. Proceeds from the Festival are used to fund service projects and ventures which benefit the Korean and larger community in Hawaii, including an annual scholarship fund for outstanding, civic-minded students entering or currently enrolled in college.

The Korean Festival presents a unique, authentic taste of Korean culture through food, dance, art, music, and entertainment. The program of festival events varies from year to year, but past Festivals have included performances such as taekwondo (Korean martial arts) demonstration, a coming-of-age traditional tea ceremony, and Korean fan and drum dances.